Most people feel anxiety at some time in life.
Anxiety is related to a natural response of the body to potentially threatening situations.
When danger is sensed, the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisone into the blood stream, causing rapid heart beat, shallow and rapid breathing, tensing of the muscles and heightened alertness, all of which ready the mind and body for action. However, when this response is not connected to a real danger, or is more severe or longer lasting than necessary, it is diagnosed as anxiety disorder. People with a general anxiety disorder have trouble concentrating, are unable to relax, often have insomnia, frequently feel tired and irritable, and suffer from headaches, chest pain, nausea, and other physical symptoms. This disorder most often develops in early adulthood, but can begin in childhood or adolescence. Twice as many women than men are diagnosed with this disorder.