Anxiety is the most common of emotional disorders. Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stressful situations, but it becomes a problem when it is excessive and effects daily functioning. There are several types of anxiety-related disorders including Panic Disorder (characterized by panic attacks), Phobias (excessive fear of an activity, object or person), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (compulsive behavior such as excessive hand-washing), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (a steady, all-over feeling of anxiety that effects daily life).
Anxiety sufferers also frequently suffer from depression and may abuse alcohol or other substances in an effort to relieve their symptoms. Twice as many women as men suffer from the disorder.
