Oppressed minorities are at risk of suffering from anxiety, as discrimination and harassment can lead to feelings of inferiority and shame

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A look at pathological anxiety, the most common form of mental disorder.

What is it?

Pathological anxiety is the most common form of mental disorder. It can be described as an irrational response to perceived danger. The primeval fight or flight instincts that once allowed humans to deal with real danger are still present in modern humans, even though we are now rarely faced with life-threatening situations. In some individuals these instincts produce distressing mental, emotional and physical symptoms, and can affect the sufferer’s ability to perform well.

Five distinct anxiety disorders have been identified. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a state of nervousness experienced most ot the time by the sufferer. Phobic Disorders are fears of specific things (such as spiders, heights, or, indeed, homosexuals). Those affected by Panic Disorders may experience extreme anxiety and feelings of encroaching death or insanity. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves obsessing over or enacting a particular thing repeatedly, such as washing your hands, or checking to see if appliances are turned off. Lastly, sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may experience stressful memories of traumatic events from their past.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pathological anxiety are manifold. Those affected by the condition may experience feelings of nervousness, restlessness, apprehensiveness and fear. Physiological symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, hot flashes, sweating, fatigue, insomnia and nausea. Sufferers may also experience trouble swallowing and frequent thoughts of danger.

Causes

There is no single cause of pathological anxiety. It can sometimes result from irrational thinking patterns, where the sufferer believes danger to be near when it is not. It can also be a response to actual danger, and the everyday stresses of life. Some individuals may be prone to anxiety because of biological factors such as a chemical imbalance in the brain or being affected with hypoglycemia. Past experience of traumatic events, drug use and withdrawal from drug use can also be contributary factors.

Pathological anxiety also appears to be more prevalent amongst certain groups than others. Women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than men. This could be due to physical or cultural factors. Oppressed minorities are also at risk, as discrimination and harassment can lead to feelings of inferiority and shame, which can trigger anxiety and depression.

Treatment

Several techniques can be used to treat anxiety. Cognitive Restructuring is a therapy-based treatment, with the aim of decreasing the sufferer’s perception of danger being a constant threat. Relaxation Treatment can also be beneficial, helping suffererers to achieve a state of mental calm. Distraction is a technique commonly used with those affected by Panic Disorder. It aims to draw attention from the thoughts or stimuli that can lead to attacks. Lastly, medication, generally in the form of tranquillizers, can be used to induce a state of relaxation.