The Nature and Causes of Anxiety and Panic

Fear is probably the most basic of all emotions. Not only do all humans experience it, but fear responses have been found in all species of animals right down to the sea slug. Experiences of fear vary tremendously in their severity, from mild anxiety to extreme terror and panic. The experience of fear can also vary in duration from a brief, almost fleeting flash, to a constant, all day experience. While anxiety and panic, by their nature, are unpleasant, they are not in the least bit dangerous. The major aim of this Chapter is to increase your knowledge about the human alarm system and its two principal alarm components anxiety and panic. As you learn more about the human alarm system and how it works, you will gain a greater appreciation and acceptance of the specific physical, mental, and behavioral changes that occur when one’s alarm system is triggered. Note that the goal of this chapter is not to describe each of the major anxiety disorders but rather to educate the reader about the human alarm system and its major features and functions. More information about specific anxiety-related disorders can be found on our website http://labs.la.utexas.edu/telch/or on the following websites: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml.