Anxiety and anxiety disorders

Abstract

Anxiety clearly has adaptive value both for the individual and in an evolutionary sense. Anxiety is considered pathologic if it is uncontrollably excessive or persistent so as to affect one’s functioning. Such dysregulation of anxiety may occur at several levels: Genes, gene x environment interaction in childhood, and recent and current stress, both psychosocial and biological. The final common pathway brain dysfunction in the anxiety circuits underlies the anxiety syndrome. The recognition and treatment of secondary and primary anxiety syndromes are discussed.