Abstract

MANAGING ANXIETY DISORDERS: A SHORT COMMUNICATION

Irfat Ara, Shazad Yaqoob, Weeqar Younis Raja, Basharat Bukhari, Mudasir Maqbool*

ABSTRACT

Over last few decades, an alarming rise in mental disorders has been observed. It has been estimated that over 650 million people globally suffer from common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder, are the most prevalent mental disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by anxious apprehension or fear in response to a perceived threat. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and are associated with a high burden of illness. The main objective of treatment is: to reduce the core symptoms of anxiety (both the psychic and somatic), including restoration of sleep, to improve patient function and quality of life, to treat comorbid disorders-present at the time of diagnosis and those that appear over the long term and to continue treatment for long enough to produce remission and, where possible, prevent relapse. Treatment consists of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. In this review, we will briefly discuss about anxiety and its management.

Keywords: Anxiety, fear, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Yoga.