1. Approximately 25% - 29% of U.S. Population
2. The most common type of disorder for women, 2nd most common for men
3. In an 12 month period about 18% of adults suffer from an anxiety disorder
4. Cost the U.S around $47 billion

Is weather their is a clear and present danger that would be considered as real by most people 

• Fear activates the flight or fight repsonse
• Anxiety is apprehension about possible future danger
• It may prime us for a flight or fight response and even help performance, but it can also be more diffuse and cause maladaptive behavior 

• When the fear response occurs with the absence of a clear and present danger
• Symptoms are nearly identical to those experienced during a state of fear except they are acompanied by a sense of impending doom, fear of dying, or going crazy/loss of control

1. Cognitive/subjective (I feel afraid/terrified, I'm going to die)
2. Physiological (Increased heart rate and heavy breathing)
3. Behavioral (A strong urge to escape or flee)

Have unrealsitic, irrational fears or anxieties of disabling intensity 

• Specific phobia
• social anxiety disorder
• panic disorder
• agoraphobia
• generalized anxiety disorder

• People who experience an anxiety disorder will have one other anxiety disorder or depression either concurrently or seperately during their lifetime
• Neuroticism--- a personality trait of proness to experience negative mood states is a common diathesis 
• The limbic system is the portion of the brain commonly associated with anxiety disorders
• Classical conditioning is a common psychological trait found in anxiety disorder patients

• Graduated exposure to feared cues is most effective treatment
• Cognitive restructuring techniques
• Medications (either axiolytics or anti-depressants)