Contrary to wide belief, severe anxiety is actually a catch all phrase for a number of related mental conditions. Most professionals and therapists will diagnose these conditions within the umbrella of severe anxiety. Severe anxiety can be caused by a number of factors which may or may not be organic. Non organic conditions can arise from a traumatic episode or occurrence. The anxiety does not need to manifest itself immediately following the episode or occurrence.
Indeed, it may be a situation that arose as a youth not causing outward symptoms until adulthood. Such situations could be from the loss of a loved one or an abuse situation. Adults can also suffer severe anxiety from similar situations. Like young people, the symptoms may not manifest themselves immediately after the occurrence. In all such situations each person may react differently and suffer severe anxiety immediately after, months or even years after the triggering episode.
Such severe anxiety if it arises from these circumstances can be of a long or short duration. Organic conditions may arise from related medical ailments such as asthma. Some people have behavior problems which are designated as anxiety disorders. A common problem is an obsessive compulsive disorder where the person repeats the same behaviors over and over to reduce stress or anxiety. This could be cleaning, opening and closing doors a set number of times, counting items and similar patterns.
Some people suffer short-term server anxiety which is commonly known as a panic attack. It usually arises from a particular fear or dread of a place or activity. It is often evidenced by symptoms of dizziness and loss of breath. With the current terror levels around the world, soldiers may return with what has now been termed post traumatic stress disorder of PTSD. This is actually in the nature of the non-organic severe anxiety conditions caused by the traumatic episode or experience of being in a war zone or war related area.
Once a person is diagnosed with a severe anxiety condition, the doctor or therapist may also be on alert for signs of depression. The reason is that people who suffer from severe anxiety disorders may also suffer from depression either as a result of the anxiety or as a partial cause. Treatment of these disorders includes drugs, therapy and behavior modification skill training.