Anxiety 922 226055326 2008-07-16T17:02:29Z 99.249.158.10 /* Symptoms */ {{RightTOC}} :''This article is about state anxiety. For information on susceptibility to anxiety, see [[trait anxiety]].'' {{redirect|Solicitude|the crime|solicitation}} '''Anxiety''' (also called '''solicitude''') is a psychological and physiological state characterized by [[cognitive]], [[somatic]], [[emotion]]al, and [[behavioral]] components<ref name="Seligman">[[Martin Seligman|Seligman, M.E.P.]], Walker, E.F. & [[David Rosenhan|Rosenhan, D.L.]] (2001). ''Abnormal psychology'', (4th ed.) New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. It can also be called "Butterflies in the Stomach." </ref>. These components combine to create the [[suffering|painful]] feelings that we typically recognize as [[anger]], [[fear]], [[apprehension (fear)|apprehension]], or [[worry]]. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical sensations such as [[heart palpitations]], [[nausea]], [[chest pain]], [[shortness of breath]], [[stomach aches]], or [[tension headache|headache]]. The cognitive component entails expectation of a diffuse and certain danger. Somatically the body prepares the organism to deal with threat (known as an emergency reaction): [[blood pressure]] and [[heart rate]] are increased, sweating is increased, bloodflow to the major muscle groups is increased, and [[immune system|immune]] and [[Digestion|digestive]] system functions are inhibited (the 'fight or flight' response). Externally, somatic signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating, trembling, and [[mydriasis|pupillary dilation]]. Emotionally, anxiety causes a sense of dread or panic and physically causes nausea, diarrhea, and chills. Behaviorally, both voluntary and involuntary behaviors may arise directed at escaping or avoiding the source of anxiety and often maladaptive, being most extreme in [[anxiety disorder]]s. However, anxiety is not always pathological or maladaptive: it is a common emotion along with fear, anger, sadness, and happiness, and it has a very important function in relation to survival. Neural circuitry involving the [[amygdala]] and [[hippocampus]] is thought to underlie anxiety<ref name="Rosen">{{cite journal |author=Rosen JB, Schulkin J |title=From normal fear to pathological anxiety |journal=Psychol Rev |volume=105 |issue=2 |pages=325–50 |year=1998 |pmid=9577241 |doi=}}</ref>. When confronted with unpleasant and potentially harmful stimuli such as foul odors or tastes, [[Positron emission tomography|PET-scans]] show increased bloodflow in the [[amygdala]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Zald|first=D.H.|coauthors=Pardo, J.V.|year=1997|title=Emotion, olfaction, and the human amygdala: amygdala activation during aversive olfactory stimulation|journal=Proc Nat'l Acad Sci|volume=94|issue=8|pages=4119–24|location=USA|pmid=9108115|doi=10.1073/pnas.94.8.4119}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Zald|first=D.H.|coauthors=Hagen, M.C. & Pardo, J.V.|year=2002|title=Neural correlates of tasting concentrated quinine and sugar solutions|journal=J. Neurophysiol|volume=87|issue=2|pages=1068–75|pmid=11826070|url=http:/jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/87/2/1068}}</ref> In these studies, the participants also reported moderate anxiety. This might indicate that anxiety is a protective mechanism designed to prevent the organism from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors. ==Symptoms== Although [[panic attack]]s are not experienced by every anxiety sufferer, they are a common symptom. Panic attacks usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational, the perceived danger is very real. A person experiencing a panic attack will often feel as if he or she is about to die or pass out. Emotional symptoms of anxiety include a fear (such as a fear of an illness), or the need to avoid certain stressful situations or social situations due to fear of embarrassment. There may be considerable confusion and irritability when the anxiety is taking place. Physical symptoms include [[hot flash]]es, [[chest pain]], sudden [[tiredness]], [[tension headache|headaches]], shortness of [[breath]], problems digesting and [[nausea]]. ==Types of anxiety== ===Existential anxiety=== [[Image:AtivanAd.jpg|thumb|right|A 1987 tranquilizer advert with an indirect reference to existential anxiety: ''"In a world where certainties are few...no wonder Ativan® (lorazepam)C-IV is prescribed by so many caring clinicians."'']] ::''See more under [[existential crisis]].'' [[theology|Theologian]] [[Paul Tillich]] and psychologist [[Sigmund Freud]] characterized anxiety as the reaction to what Tillich called, "The trauma of nonbeing."{{Fact|date=July 2008}} That is, the human comes to realize that there is a point at which he or she might cease to be, and his or her encounter with reality becomes characterized by anxiety. [[Religion]], according to both Tillich and Freud, then becomes a carefully crafted coping mechanism in response to this anxiety since they redefine death as the end of only the corporal part of human personal existence, assuming an immortal [[soul]]. What then becomes of this soul and through what criteria is the cardinal difference of various [[religious faith]]s. According to [[Viktor Frankl]], author of ''[[Man's Search for Meaning]]'', when faced with extreme mortal dangers the very basic of all human wishes is to find a [[meaning of life]] to combat this "trauma of nonbeing" as death is near and to succumb to it (even by [[suicide]]) seems like a way out. The "father" of existentialism, [[Søren Kierkegaard]], regarded all humans to be born into despair by default (in ''[[The Sickness Unto Death]]''). Such despair was created by having a false conception of the self. He regarded the mortal self which can exist relatively, and therefore be born or die, as the false self. The true self was the relationship of self to God, rather than to any relative object. ===Test anxiety===<!-- This section is linked from [[Educational psychology]] --> {{main|Test anxiety}} Test anxiety is the uneasiness, apprehension, or nervousness felt by students who have a fear of failing an exam. Students suffering from test anxiety may experience any of the following: the association of grades with personal worth, fear of embarrassment by a teacher, fear of alienation from parents or friends, time pressures, or feeling a loss of control. Emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical components can all be present in test anxiety. Sweating, dizziness, headaches, racing heartbeats, nausea, fidgeting, and drumming on a desk are all common. An optimal level of arousal is necessary to best complete a task such as an exam; however, when the anxiety or level of arousal exceeds that optimum, it results in a decline in performance. Because test anxiety hinges on fear of negative evaluation, debate exists as to whether test anxiety is itself a unique anxiety disorder or whether it is a specific type of social phobia. In 2006, approximately 49% of high school students were reportedly experiencing this condition. While the term "test anxiety" refers specifically to students, many adults share the same experience with regard to their career or profession. The fear of failing a task and being negatively evaluated for it can have a similarly negative effect on the adult. ===Stranger and social anxiety=== {{main|Stranger anxiety|Socialisation|Social anxiety}} Anxiety when meeting or interacting with unknown people is a common stage of development in young people. So-called "stranger anxiety" in younger people is ''not'' a phobia in the classic sense; rather it is a developmentally appropriate fear by young children of those who do ''not'' share a loved-one, caretaker or parenting role. In adults, an excessive fear of other people is not a developmentally common stage; it is called [[social anxiety]]. A more common social anxiety in adults, though, is the stress and anxiousness that occurs when one (of any age-group) fears he will be separated from a group or other emotionally close person/object. This is known as [[separation anxiety]], and occurs more frequently in adults (7%) than in children (5%). ==Anxiety in palliative care== Some research has strongly suggested that treating anxiety in [[cancer]] patients improves their quality of life.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The treatment generally consists of counseling, relaxation techniques or the administration of benzodiazepines.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} == See also == {{Wikiquote|Anxiety}} {{Wiktionary|anxiety}} * [[Anxiety disorder]] * [[Anxiolytic]] * [[Anxiety Disorders Association of America]] * [[Beck Anxiety Inventory]] * [[Generalized anxiety disorder]] * [[Panic attack]] * [[Panic disorder]] ==References== <references/> {{Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour symptoms and signs}} {{emotion-footer}} [[Category:Symptoms]] [[Category:Emotion]] [[bs:Anksioznost]] [[bg:Тревожност]] [[ca:Ansietat]] [[cs:Úzkost]] [[da:Angst]] [[de:Angst]] [[es:Ansiedad]] [[fa:اضطراب]] [[fr:Anxiété]] [[hr:Anksioznost]] [[io:Anxio]] [[it:Ansia]] [[lt:Nerimas]] [[nl:Faalangst]] [[ja:不安]] [[no:Angst]] [[pl:Lęk]] [[pt:Ansiedade]] [[ru:Тревога]] [[sq:Frika]] [[scn:Ngustia]] [[simple:Anxiety]] [[sk:Úzkosť]] [[sr:Анксиозност]] [[sv:Ångest]] [[tr:Anksiyete]]