Anxiety

Anxiety and fear are normal responses to potential or actual threats that when excessive, prolonged and occurring at inappropriate times lead to pathological anxiety that interferes with the person's normal activity. Genetic factors are believed to play an important role in the development of anxiety disorders, in addition to other factors.

Anxiety disorders are common psychiatric conditions, which may affect at some point one third of the adult population and have a moderate heritability of 30-40%. In addition to genetics, other factors may play a role:

• Anxiety disorders are more frequent in women than in men.
• Chronic psychosocial stress at various stages of life.
• Acute traumatic events.
• Presence of other illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid problems, heart problems, respiratory disorders etc.
• Inappropriate use of substances and abstinence from alcohol and medications such as benzodiazepines.

• Feeling of nervousness
• Increased heart rate and hyperventilation
• Sweating, dizziness, tremors
• Muscle tension, pain or feeling of pressure in the chest
• Feeling of weakness or tiredness
• Problems concentrating and excessive worrying
• Sleep problems
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Behavioral disturbances, such as a tendency to avoid certain situations

• Engage in regular physical activity
• Avoiding smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use
• Stress reduction techniques
• Psychotherapy