Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience anxiety disorders, especially between the ages of 18 and 45. Studies from Tulsa University reveal that women are more anxious and shy in the presence of authority figures and more self-conscious around strangers when compared to men. The most anxiety-provoking situation for men was asking for a date.

Teachers get nervous before class, students worry about tests and hostesses get jittery before a party. This moderate "Performance anxiety" is normal and may assist us to deliver our best effort. Emotional tension that is referred to as anxiety can also be a signal for potential danger. When this danger is exaggerated or based on unrealistic fears rather than fact the resulting anxiety can hinder normal functioning. Then it becomes an anxiety disorder.

There are various types of anxiety disorders:

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR: Persons have overwhelming fears of hurting others or concerns of dirt and contamination. The worry about things not being exactly right or placed in the right order.

PANIC ATTACKS: Thoughts of impending doom produce these unexpected and intense anxiety states with concurring physical symptoms. These may include quickened heart rate and gasping for air. Sweating, nausea, dizziness are often present and victims may fear they are going to die, go crazy or lose control.

PHOBIAS: Excessive and disabling fears of a specific object or situation is considered a phobia. They may have developed in childhood stemming from anxiety and panic associated with the places and situations they experienced. For example a fear of dogs may result from a person (not necessarily the phobic person) receiving a dog bite or a parent fearing dogs.

There are three usual categories of phobias:

A SIMPLE PHOBIA is fear of a specific object or situation such as bees, enclosed spaces or an animal.

SOCIAL PHOBIAS are triggered by the presence of others. Fear of being embarrassed by showing their fear in front of others.

AGORAPHOBIA is the fear of open spaces. This can include standing alone or in a crowd or traveling by car or train. It is sometimes referred to as the "fear of fear" since it develops from a sudden panic attack that occurs away from home. The fear of this happening in the future can escalate into fear of leaving the house at all.

WHERE DOES IT START?

Almost 50% or agoraphobic patients experienced fears of separation in childhood. Traditional theories in psychology believe that anxiety develops from psychological factors. If you had overly anxious parents you may have unconsciously learned to imitate their anxiety believing that it is an appropriate response to some situations. However recent research report that it may also be the result of genetics.

For example when both parents have panic disorders their children are more likely to experience panic attacks. Persons who have an inherited temperament of shyness are also more vulnerable to panic attacks.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The root of fear is a lack of trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way. Fear can be overcome if you accept it and keep going rather than letting it hinder you or your success. Here are some tips that might help.

TAKE CHANCES; Don’t wait for every situation to be "just right" or you’re sure you know what to do before you take action. Fear doesn’t go away unless you take risks to achieve success. With your new accomplishment comes new self-confidence. Remember learning to swim or to ride a bike.

THINK REALISTICALLY: Avoid catastrophic thinking. Ask yourself, "What is the worst possible outcome?" You will usually find that it is something you will be able to survive even though you might not enjoy it.

STAY FOCUSED: Much anxiety is the result of projecting yourself into future situations. STAY IN THE PRESENT, remember the saying: I know worrying helps. Everything I ever worried about never happened.

BE POSITIVE: Think about the positive things in your life. Anxious people tend to downplay theirs own strengths. When you feel scared make a decided effort to think of some past positive experiences instead of focusing on your failures.

KEEP A JOURNAL: Write down the things that scare you and notice where they occur, how anxious you feel and what you can do to handle the situation. Over time you will see what works best for you and how you have improved.

PRACTICE PATIENCE Take one step at a time. When confronting an anxiety-producing object or situation focus on breathing deeply and slowly.

GET HELP!

If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety, it can be treated effectively. Counseling focused on becoming aware of and changing destructive thought patterns is available through trained psychologists, like Dr. Dorothy J. Marron. 80% of anxiety victims can be cured making it the most treatable emotional problem that people face.

Drug therapy in the form of tranquilizers and antidepressants are sometimes helpful in treating anxiety. They can gain immediate control over symptoms in crisis and emergency situations. However they only treat the symptoms of anxiety. The most successful treatment also included psychotherapy to help the person handle the anxiety each time a feared situation occurs. Relaxation techniques, deep breathing and self-hypnosis have all proven effective in overcoming anxiety.