Anxiety disorders are a group of illnesses that have in common persistent feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness, and are accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, and feelings of generalized stress. They include situational anxieties (social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder), generalized anxiety disorder, somatic anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Current treatments: Whilst traditionally treated with sedative barbiturates, anxiety disorders are now treated more successfully with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines and beta blockers.
USEFUL LINKS:
Anxientypanic.com (US)
SANE (Australia)
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (US)