Abnormal Therapy, Essay Example

Our textbook defines anxiety disorders, in part, as the appearance of stress that is disproportional to the situation.  There are a number of subgroups to anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  A general anxiety disorder is thought to be present in an individual has been extremely worried, nervous, and stressed for more than six months.  There is some thought that anxiety disorders are genetic in origin and is connected to one’s innate temperament.  Generalized anxiety disorders have physical symptoms such as sweating, upset stomach, and an inability to concentrate, and are found to be more common in women than men.

The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502), a non-profit organization dedicated to medical and mental health research, suggests that although anxiety is a normal part of life, a person may have a generalized anxiety disorder if their fears and worries are interfering with their daily lives.  They state that such disorders are found amongst both children and adults, and can represent a chronic condition that may be dealt with through psychotherapy or medication.  The Mayo Clinic suggests that coping skills such as relaxation techniques, diet, and changing one’s habits may all contribute to improving the condition of people who suffer from this disorder.

It strikes me that generalized anxiety disorders have become much more prevalent within modern Western society.  Part of this may be due to an increased awareness of the disorder on the part of both sufferers and general society.  However, additional research regarding the genetic origins of this disorder would be helpful in understanding why it seems to be on the rise.  It would also be worth researching the connection between pharmaceutical companies and the increase in diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorders, as there is a great deal of money involved in the prescription and sale of antidepressants.