We all feel anxious occasionally. It's normal, natural, and often useful. Anxiety can help prepare you to respond to a difficult or dangerous situation. But an anxiety disorder is different. This normal emotion becomes overwhelming and can prevent you from coping with everyday life.

With an anxiety disorder, you may feel anxious most of the time, fearful or uncertain. These feelings seem out of proportion to the actual situation, and out of your control. While anxiety due to a particular problem or event is normally mild and short-lived, anxiety disorders last much longer (6 months or more) and often become worse over time.

Many people suffer in silence, believing that their problem is unique or shameful. People often believe they should be able to solve the problem themselves. But anxiety disorders are a real illneses, and very common. 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from anxiety disorders, and children and teens can also be affected. It is important to identify anxiety disorders and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Doctors divide anxiety disorders into 6 main categories. Each of these has somewhat different symptoms. Many effective anxiety treatments are available for those who seek help. Treatment may include pychological therapy or cognitive behavior modification. Some people respond best to anti-anxiety medications. Others prefer a natural anxiety cure. Read more about these different types of anxiety disorders, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, therapies and treatments available: