Anxiety Disorders

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For most people, anxiety is a normal response to occasional stress. It's our body's way of preparing us to respond to a challenge. But for the more than 18.1 million U.S. adults suffering from an anxiety disorder, extreme and uncontrollable levels of worry and tension are a way of life.

Many of these people may experience disabling emotional and physical symptoms from one or more anxiety disorders. They often develop depression at some point, too.

This section describes the general symptoms and potential causes of three common anxiety disorders:

Each page also includes a brief symptom checklist you can use to prepare for visits with your doctor.

The good news about these anxiety disorders is that effective treatment is available. If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, you should talk with your health care professional about treatment options that may help you.