The spectrum of anxiety disorders in family practice

The spectrum ranges from fearful concerns about illness to clinical anxiety disorders, such as phobias, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder. Anxiety and fear are often associated with hospitalization, heart disease, insomnia, and somatopsychic syndromes. Determining the cause of the anxiety may help the physician plan the treatment approach. In selected cases, benzodiazepines are useful adjuncts to therapy.