Anxiety disorders refer to a category of mental health disorders. Anxiety is a normal human emotion. Feelings of anxiety may be triggered by common situations or daily events such as running late for an appointment, taking a test/exam. This form of anxiety is not a disorder.

“Normal” Anxiety serves a purpose of enabling one to identify a threatening situation or meet deadlines on time.

Some common anxiety disorders include:

1. Panic disorder
2. Generalised anxiety disorder
3. Social anxiety disorder
4. Separation anxiety disorder
5. Phobias

Treatment

Each of these disorders have unique symptoms but all share the common characteristics of impaired function, overwhelming intensity of symptoms and inability to control symptoms.

Most anxiety disorders are treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Practical coping skills to improve distress tolerance and learn to regulate anxiety symptoms before they reach an overwhelming proportion is also helpful. Breathing exercises, yoga or daily exercise and mindfulness practices are excellent augmentation strategies used concurrently with medical treatment.