Anxious Minds

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations. But for some people, it becomes excessive and can cause them to dread everyday situations.

Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. In other words, it's an omnipresent part of life. A stressful event can trigger the "fight-or-flight" response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body.

Some 15 million Americans struggle with depression—an illness that comes in many forms—from major depression and seasonal affective disorder, to dysthymia and <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/bipolar-disorder"

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that treats problems and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a potentially disabling anxiety disorder. The person afflicted with OCD becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive senseless thoughts and behaviors that are very difficult to overcome.

Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we couldn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations that are in no way life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason. Traumas or bad experiences can trigger a fear response within us that is hard to quell.

Sure it's a fatty acid, which might make you want to avoid it at all costs, but omega 3 is actually a good-for-you fat. Known as an "essential" fatty acid, it's good for your body and mind—seeing that it's a big mood booster. Omega 3 is highly concentrated in the brain and maintains nerve-cell membrane structure.