title: Anxiety disorders: diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Pathologic anxiety, marked by inappropriate apprehension and/or fear, causes patients to seek help. Anxiety is associated with a wide variety of physical illnesses, and these must be initially considered when making a diagnosis. Similarly, anxiety associated with a wide variety of psychiatric syndromes must also be considered. Finally, the possibility of transient situational anxiety is ever present. Once it is determined that a primary anxiety disorder exists, then the presence or absence of phobias, panic attacks, and chronic "free-floating" anxiety will fully characterize the disorder. With an accurate diagnosis in hand, a multifaceted treatment approach can be designed. Effective treatments now exist for phobic and panic disorders, and more effective treatment for chronic generalized anxiety may be forthcoming.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jack
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mathew
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010200:Panic / Q000187:drug effects; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012064:Relaxation Therapy
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents