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Fear is a normal and expected response to internal and external stimuli, bred into human behavior over thousands of years of evolution. A normal, healthy amount of fear keeps us aware of danger and can inspire us to know our limits, or even defy them--a rationale fear of failure making us reach farther than we ever would have expected.For some people, however, fear can become inflated and distorted, so that it can exceed what is expected and appropriate for a given circumstance. In some cases fear may even seem to arise for no reason at all. This is the often the case for those who experience anxiety disorders. These disorders are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety. This fear and anxiety can make individuals avoid aspects of life in a maladaptive attempt at reducing their worry. It can even result in a state of intermittent or constant panic.There are a variety of anxiety disorders, each characterized by different types of fear, ranges of severity and patterns of onset. An individual can even experience multiple anxiety disorders at once. Anxiety disorders are among the most common of all mental disorders, and can occur co-morbidly with other psychiatric disorders.
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