An anxiety disorder refers to the persistent experience of worry and uncertainty that manifests around real or imagined events. These feelings of excessive worry may present in association with any number of disorders that fall under the broad category of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias and post-traumatic stress.
In all cases, a thorough psychiatric evaluation is recommended to rule out organic causes and to establish a correct diagnosis. Treatment may include various forms of therapy, including psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, specific desensitizing strategies, self-soothing skills, relaxation techniques, as well as medication when appropriate.
Anxiety may manifest differently in children and adults: