Anxiety. What is anxiety? Anxiety is described as a normal emotion that every person faces sometimes. What is an anxiety disorder? “Anxiety disorders are characterized by symptoms of intrusive and/or disturbing thoughts, intense psychological arousal, and very negative evaluations of past experiences” (Jessica Swan 2013). Impaired processing of fear-related information is likely to be the underlying cause of some anxiety disorders in humans, such as post-traumatic stress. An anxiety disorder is a much more serious problem. Anxiety disorders are caused by many symptoms and are frequently associated with depressing tendencies. Anxiety can either be genetically inherited or come from the brain itself. Based on (P. SAH 2013) “The amygdaloid complex is where the emotion of anxiety originates. The amygdaloid complex is a group of more than 10 nuclei located in the middle temporal lobe of the brain. It is believed that a slight amount of anxiety is regular in a human being and that a slight amount of anxiety is necessary to change and progress into new ways of dealing with stress. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by factors in everyday life. What is considered an anxiety disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias and panic disorders. This is all very serious and when things get worse, treatment and medication may be necessary. “Anxiety disorders affect approximately 17% of the community” (Jessica Swan 2013). People with OCD generally tend to constantly have thoughts and/or fears that we cannot control. This is when the anxiety produced by these thoughts leads them to an urgent need to perform certain routines. This is where the term Obs...... middle of paper ...... PTSD assessment takes on a doctor who will ask certain questions to describe how the individual is feeling. The doctor will also ask questions about past events and medical problems at the time. The certified physician will also follow the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The criteria that must be met to be diagnosed with a phobia are: “a) the individual must have an intense fear of an object or situation such as snakes, insects and storms. B) An immediate anxiety response when the individual is confronted with the source of the fear. C) Having knowledge of fear but being powerless to control it. D) Avoid certain routines in order to avoid fear. (Mayo Clinical Staff 2011) Panic disorders can only be diagnosed through a medical evaluation. The assessments are exactly the same as any other assessment done for the listed disorders.