Anxiety or disorder?

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By Dr Bill Maier

We all struggle with fear from time to time. But when does fear go past anxiety to become a full-fledged disorder?

It’s normal to get butterflies in your stomach before giving a big speech, or meeting a blind date. Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It actually prepares the body for threatening situations, and can be a healthy thing. But sometimes fear can lead to phobias or attacks.

So, when does natural fear qualify as a disorder? In short, it’s when normal anxiety does the opposite of what it was designed to do. Instead of helping us cope, it actually prevents us from coping, dramatically disrupting our daily lives. They’re the result of a biological illness, usually caused by past experiences. Often it takes professional help to overcome them. If you sense you might have a problem, talk to your doctor about it.

From TODAY, Voices - Tuesday, 06-April-2010
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