Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Although anxiety is one of the most common of emotional responses, it is not necessarily problematic. When experienced in moderate intensity, anxiety can serve to motivate, energize, and mobilize the individual to heights of performance and spectacular deeds. Many people claim to “work best under pressure”, i.e., when their anxiety level is high enough to motivate them to exert additional effort. It is only when the anxiety level is so high that it debilitates the individual or causes emotional or physical discomfort that anxiety becomes a problem. Despite this, anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States (Stein & Hollander, 2002). Research on anxiety disorders has mushroomed so quickly that a review of the literature can easily be overwhelming to the clinician. An excellent summary of recent research can be found in Barlow (2002).