Nearly everyone has experienced or will experience some kind of anxiety in their lives. It is completely normal to worry over your family when someone is sick, or that next bill when you are short on money. Final exams, that big entrance test, dream job interview tomorrow: all these things are a normal source of anxiety. But millions of people around the world experience this anxiety every single day - even when there is nothing going on to really worry about.

The latest figures released by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America say that there are an estimated 40 million people in America that suffer from some form of anxiety. With an estimated annual cost of $42 billion, anxiety accounts for almost one-third of the total annual mental health expenditures in this country. There are many specific illnesses that fall under the broad "anxiety disorder" category, such as panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome, and many others. The exact treatments for these disorders varies widely depending on the disorder itself and the circumstances surrounding it.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

Even with millions of cases a year to examine, we still don't understand what exactly causes anxiety disorders. While we have narrowed down the potential causes for generalized anxiety disorder (one of the most common anxiety disorders), scientists and physicians still don't know the exact reason it manifests in some people but not others. The most commonly held belief among researchers is that it is caused by a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental issues, such as chronic work-related stress, or sudden extreme stress such as the death of a family member. Withdrawal from drugs can also trigger anxiety disorders. If the cause in a specific case can be isolated, treatment can be more focused and effective.

Dealing With Anxiety Disorders

Living with an anxiety disorder is not easy. The symptoms can get so bad that people completely isolate themselves in their home, only leaving when absolutely forced to do so. This is a defense response, an attempt to avoid anything that triggers an anxiety or panic attack.

Treatment usually consists of medication and therapy to work through the issues causing the anxiety order. Persistence is also required, as it can take years to be completely cured. Many people suffering from anxiety find that self-relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can be very helpful in dealing with the stress, and can be used to stop an impending panic or anxiety attack.

With 40 million people and rising suffering from anxiety every day, knowing the causes and what can be done to treat it is extremely important. But with patience and treatment, it is possible to cure this illness.