2. A professor at Widener University's Institute for Graduate
Clinical Psychology for 35 years, Dr. Maurice Prout
explores a variety of research topics. The study of anxiety
disorders forms a significant part of Maurice Prout's work.
Anxiety disorders display a number of symptoms. Physical
signs include rapid breathing, an elevated heart rate,
trembling, sweating, or fatigue. Mental indicators revolve
around obsessive worrying and a sense of imminent
danger.
Generalized anxiety disorder involves out-of-proportion
worrying about even everyday events. Like many mental
illnesses, exact causes are hard to pin down. Traumatic
events seem to be a trigger in persons prone to anxiety.
3. Genetic factors may also play a role. People with this
condition often have trouble concentrating on other
activities and may have other anxiety disorders as
well.
Phobias are a type of disorder in which patients feel a
strong desire to avoid specific situations. Some
persons experience panic attacks as a result. Panic
attacks take the form of bursts of intense fear, even
terror. They usually last only a few minutes.
Social anxiety disorder manifests itself as avoidance
of social occasions due to worries about making a
negative impression. It can provoke feelings of
embarrassment and self-consciousness.
