Anxiety is a rather common problem that, until recently, was often misdiagnosed. Thus, treatment was often ineffective or inappropriate. For instance, sometimes people who suffered from anxiety were diagnosed with more severe mental disorders such as psychosis, and were subjected to the institutionalization and harsh therapies of the day. Luckily for everybody, modern psychology's insights into this problem have since yielded better therapies to control this symptom. These therapies are far less invasive to the mind and body than the therapies of the past.

Anxiety seems to be on the rise in this day and age of rapid living and increased stress. It is characterized by feelings ranging from mild nervousness to panic and outright terror. This condition is also accompanied by feelings of helpless and lack of control. Today's stressful lifestyle, and how individuals deal with it, also contributes to the occurrence of this symptom.

More about Anxiety

Anxiety is a psychological condition that, historically, has had a hard time being taken seriously. Of course, all of us feel anxious at some time or another; it's part of being human. However, cultural tendencies to ignore these feelings, which were even more prevalent in the past, didn't help with recognition and treatment of this problem. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can become aggravated and develop into other undesirable conditions.

The bottom line is that severe and constant anxiety is definitely a problem. Though not in and of itself life threatening, if ignored it can develop into attacks, which could indeed become dangerous to your personal health. If you're experiencing recurrent feelings of anxiety, you owe it to yourself to seek professional help.