Comparison And Contrast Essay: The Evolution Of Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as an emotion that causes physical symptoms, such as a faster heartbeat or feelings of tension, and thoughts of worry (Beidel, 2014). Anxiety is distinguished from fear in that fear is an immediate response to a stressor, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future stressor (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Both feelings of fear and anxiety are normal, however excessive anxiety, persistent feelings of anxiety and irrational cues that cause anxiety can be signs of an anxiety disorder. Currently, the DSM-V lists nine different subcategories under anxiety. The DSM-V was released in 2013 and provides explanations to differentiate between disorder types and provides recommendations on how to diagnose and treat disorders,
In Latin Stoic philosophical writings, he uncovered the first specific mention of anxiety. Cicero wrote in the Tusculan Disputations of sollicitudo (worry) and angor (anxiety) as disorders. While these specific words were used at the time, the writings continued in an attempt to further define these feelings. Although their initial impressions were very similar to our theories on anxiety now, the expansion of ideas and terms allowed future theorists an opportunity to incorporate their own beliefs and
Seneca also used the term anxiety at this time, however he believed it specifically came from the worry of death. This connection was supported even further by existentialist philosophers. The term “worry” is also a term and idea that spread to others perceptions about anxiety, specifically to the philosopher Epicurius (341 BC to 270 BC) who founded the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. This school of thought was built around creating a happy life, which in this context meant to free the mind of