The natural response to danger is to fight or flee. This reaction began in a time when stress and danger were almost always physical, such as being confronted by a man-eating animal. In modern society, however, a situation that is dangerous, or that is perceived as dangerous, is usually nonphysical-such as the fear that you might be fired from your job.
Some anxiety is normal and even beneficial.
For instance, if it is true that you might be fired, the resulting anxiety may motivate you to look for another job. This kind of anxiety is inappropriate and can become overwhelming or even incapacitating. It is in these severe cases that treatment becomes vital. Fortunately, anxiety is relatively easy to treat and need not interfere with your daily life. Anxiety is slightly more frequent in women than it is in men, and adolescents and the elderly seem to be particularly prone to it.