Anxiety warns us and enables us to get ready for the fight or flight response. However, heightened anxiety is emotionally painful. It disrupts a person's daily functioning. Frequently, people with anxiety experience tightness in their chest, a racing or pounding heart, and a pit in their stomach. Severe anxiety, which can be described as an episode of terror, is referred to as a panic attack.
Panic attacks can be extremely frightening.
People who experience panic attacks over a prolonged time period may become victims of agoraphobia and fear leaving home or going into crowded places. Research shows strong evidence for a genetic basis for anxiety. Females are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety than males. However, an equal number of males and females are seen for treatment of their anxiety. Anxiety problems commonly begin when people are in their 20 s.