PHOBIA AND ANXIETY

Phobia and anxiety

Phobia and anxiety

Introduction

Anxiety is a complex emotional state and may involve and influence multiple domains of functioning of an individual. In particular, an individual may experience cognitive, behavioural and physiological. Common cognitive symptoms of anxiety include excessive worry, difficulty concentrating and memory and attention problems. Anxiety may also manifest itself in behavioural symptoms such as restlessness, difficulty sitting, and attempts to escape or avoid anxiety-provoking stimuli or situations. Finally, anxiety also includes physiological symptoms such as muscle tension, increased sweating, palpitations, headaches and stomach (Whiteside, 2010, 66).

Components of anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health concern faced by many Americans today. In 1997, Thomas Huberty defined anxiety as a unique emotional state characterized by feelings of anxiety and tension by actual or anticipated threats that can be manifested in the cognitive patterns, behavioural or physiological. Anxiety can have devastating effects on individuals, since it can interfere with learning and social and emotional development. In this paper, information about anxiety is presented. Common characteristics found among the anxiety disorders, the types of anxiety disorders and etiological factors underlying anxiety disorders are treated. Prevention and intervention strategies are also covered (Whiteside, 2010, 150).

Anxiety as a unique thrill

Anxiety is a unique emotion, as you can see both in a positive or negative light. A small amount of anxiety can be helpful and facilitate an individual's performance, while too much anxiety can be debilitating and difficult to own performance. Small amounts of anxiety can serve as a motivator and lead to optimal performance in school, work, sports or other areas in the life of an individual. For example, a student can become a little anxious before an important exam. Felt mild anxiety can motivate students to study for the test and do better, given the time spent preparing for the exam. In contrast, high levels of anxiety can interfere with the student's ability to concentrate, process information, or retrieve information from long-term memory. In these circumstances, the student is less likely to do their best on the exam.

Anxiety also can alert a person to potential danger. The fight or flight response, also known as the acute stress response involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system in an emergency. The individual responds to a threatening or dangerous situation by fighting or fleeing. Thus, many believe that anxiety is a survival mechanism and protects the individual from harm(Whiteside, 2010, 66).

Along with its positive and negative, anxiety can be seen as an indicator of normal development. During the normal course of development, individuals experience fears and anxieties, fears and anxieties but specific experience vary with age. Moreover, there is some evidence to suggest that the number of specific fears and reduce anxiety with age, while others suggest that the number of specific fears and anxieties remain the same throughout life. Sources of anxiety for children include loud noises, strangers, and the new stimuli, and for children, the separation of important people and imaginary creatures. Children are afraid of large animals, darkness, and natural ...