Anxiety is a mental illness that is not discussed enough. It is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions (Kessler 2010). Anxiety is seen in a variety of forms due to various causes. Anxiety is a stress response that evokes the same “fight or flight” response. The difference is that anxiety involves a sense apprehension and fear that stress does not. Anxiety can come in the form of a one time experience like speaking in public to an anxiety disorder that can be persist. Living with anxiety can seem like there is no escaping it but there are treatments now that help to combat anxiety. Anxiety disorders can cause people to avoid situations that trigger their symptoms. This can influence their job performance, school work, and can affect …show more content…
others. The biological theories include effects to the neuroanatomical, neurotransmitter, neuroendocrine parts of the brain, and genetics. Genetics plays a role in anxiety and how the brain interprets surrounding information is a major factor to anxiety disorders. The National Institute for Mental Health says, "Several parts of the brain are key actors in the production of fear and anxiety...scientists have discovered that the amygdala and the hippocampus play significant roles in most anxiety disorders.” The amygdala is the part of the brain that process sensory signals and interprets if they present a threat. Then it signals other parts of the brain to trigger a fear response. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that takes threatening events and turns them into memories. Both part of the brain are essential for life but can be activated when they are not actually …show more content…
These treatments include antidepressants like Lexapro and Prozac, SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help leave serotonin in the brain longer, and anticonvulsant meds for epilepsy. As well, low dose antipsychotic drugs can be added, and anxiolytics can lower anxiety for general anxiety disorder or social anxiety which include Xanax and Klonopin. Besides medications psychotherapy and CBT have been proven to be highly effective. Counseling addresses the emotional response to mental illness and help to change the state of mind in which the patient gets in when they experience their anxiety trigger. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, is done be retraining the brain to have negative thoughts toward their trigger. This therapy starts off by educating the patient on the nature of panic, how these are caused, and how anxiety and pain attacks are on continuous loop that can be broken. Self monitoring occurs throughout cognitive behavioral therapy to help assess changes in anxiety and to promote self awareness (Simos and Hofmann, 2013, pg.7). This is an important aspect of the therapy and is highly effective when performed every