To have feelings of uneasiness or nervousness is quite normal for people who have to keep up with the fast pace of the 21st Century lifestyle. Almost everyone feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate moments of anxiety may help certain individuals focus their attention, energy, and motivation. However, severe cases of anxiety may lead to feelings of helplessness, confusion, and distress. Too much anxiety, however, is not normal and may interfere with one's daily activities. Anxiety can cause physical and mental problems. In some cases, some situations or fears may trigger a variety of symptoms for a short time.

Physical symptoms of anxiety may include the following:

Trembling, twitching, or shaking.

Feeling of fullness in the throat or chest.

Breathing difficulties or fast heartbeat.

Dizziness

Sweating or cold, clammy hands.

Feeling jumpy.

Muscle tension, aches, or soreness (myalgias).

Extreme fatigue.

Sleep problems, such as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, early waking, or restlessness (not feeling rested when you wake up).

In addition to its physical effects, anxiety also affects a part of the brain that aids in communication. This condition may lead to the difficulties in expressing creativity or effective function in relationships.

Some of the symptoms that show anxiety's effect on one's mental faculties include:

Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge.

Excessive worrying.

Fearing that something bad is going to happen; feeling doomed.

Inability to concentrate; feeling like your mind goes blank.

The presence of both physical and mental symptoms of anxiety may lead to a condition called anxiety disorder. It may hamper a persons ability to deal with other persons and ruin daily activities. In addition to this, medical studies suggest that women are twice as likely to have anxiety disorders than women. This occurs because of a variety of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. Although the cause of this phenomenon is still unknown, medical researchers suggest that fluctuations in the levels of female reproductive hormones and cycles may contribute to the heightened risk for anxiety disorders. This condition may occur at any age, gender, and race. Because of its ill-effects, individuals with anxiety disorders are in a hurry to treat this illness and turn to anti-anxiety drugs for treatment. These drugs are designed to calm and relax individuals with excessive anxiety, nervousness, on a short-term basis. It is also used to treat mild and temporary attacks of anxiety as well as clinically declared cases of social phobias and other forms of phobias. However, the use of these forms of medication may bring side effects that include sedation, sleepiness, depression, lethargy, dizziness, and many more. Other reactions may include changes in heart rate, blood pressure, bowel changes, and severe skin rash.

Due to the side effects of certain anti-anxiety medication, many patients sought alternative medication for their condition. Many herbs became famous among individuals who want to treat anxiety with less side effects. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herb native to Europe and has been used for many years to treat anxiety, insomnia, and depression. It is said that this herb works by slowing down the breakdown of brain chemicals called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression. In many studies, only 20 percent of patients who took St. John's Wort complained of side effects, lower compared to those who took antidepressants (53 percent). However, despite its health benefits, individuals who want to take this alternative medicine should seek the approval of medical professionals to clarify side effects and drug interactions that may take place while under medication.

The behavior side effects of anxiety can be described as an act of avoidance. Individuals with anxiety disorders tend to avoid the things that make them worried or nervous. It may work as a short-term method to make a person feel better but, in the long run, this method may heighten anxiety to worst levels. Effective anxiety treatments may require adjustments in one's lifestyle and professional help.