Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Anxiety: Overview

Anxiety: Overview

Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.

Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview

Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview

Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Diet-induced metabolic and faecal microbiome responses in pet dogs fed a minimally processed versus extruded kibble diet.

Frontiers in veterinary science·2026

Same author

Environmentally-induced sperm RNAs shape placentation and fetal growth.

Research square·2026

Same author

Risk reshapes amygdala representation of choice.

Neuron·2026

Same author

Challenges with the diagnosis of aortic dissection: two case studies.

CJEM·2026

Same author

Astrocytes enable amygdala neural representations supporting memory.

Nature·2026

Same author

Surgical Management of a Gastro-Jejunal Anastomotic Twist After One-Anastomosis-Gastric-Bypass.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026

Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Buruli ulcer in Africa: between innovation and pragmatism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Author Correction: Atopic dermatitis.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Published on: September 12, 2014

Anxiety disorders.

Michelle G Craske¹, Murray B Stein^2,3, Thalia C Eley⁴

¹Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.

Nature Reviews. Disease Primers

|May 5, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions causing significant disability. Early detection and treatment are crucial, as these disorders often become chronic and debilitating if left unaddressed.

More Related Videos

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Published on: November 11, 2022

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Published on: September 12, 2014

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Published on: November 11, 2022

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Public Health

Background:

Anxiety disorders are a leading cause of disability globally.
Characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors.
Common risk factors include female sex and family history.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the general neurobiology and risk factors of anxiety disorders.
To highlight diagnostic criteria and public health implications.
To emphasize the need for improved detection and treatment.

Main Methods:

Literature review of neurobiological, genetic, and epidemiological factors.
Analysis of diagnostic criteria from DSM-5 and ICD-10.
Examination of public health data on prevalence and treatment gaps.

Main Results:

Common neurobiological features include limbic system alterations and HPA axis dysfunction.
Diagnostic criteria are broadly consistent across major classification systems.
A significant treatment gap exists, with most cases remaining undetected and untreated.

Conclusions:

Anxiety disorders have identifiable neurobiological underpinnings and risk factors.
Despite public health significance, timely diagnosis and intervention remain challenging.
Effective management requires addressing systemic barriers to care.