Although stress disorders have become a common topic since the disasters of September 11, I believe that the causes of stress extend beyond the experience of horrifying events to the very essence of man. Man longs for control of his life and seeks to understand the inevitability of death. He is tormented by questions that he can neither avoid nor answer. It is this contemplation of life and death that ultimately causes stress.
             All of us experience feelings of worry, or uneasiness in our daily lives. But, for the most part, we replace those feelings or ignore them by involving ourselves in daily routines. Our ability to function at a superficial level is considered to be normal. If we are unable to function at work or at home, doctors diagnose the condition as generalized anxiety disorder. It is estimated that one out of every twenty Americans suffer from this disorder. The "theories" of causation include the experience of stressful events, hereditary factors or overproduction of serotonin, a chemical produced in the brain.
             Similarly, posttraumatic stress disorder allegedly arises from the experience of a traumatic event. The event is so impactful that it causes recurring recollections and nightmares. The person becomes irritable, distrustful, and estranged from others. Often he avoids his own thoughts associated with the trauma and develops a heightened sense of vigilance.
             But the existence of anxiety goes beyond the experience of traumas. It is rooted in man's questioning of his existence. For the most part we awaken each day and suppress the "what ifs" of our lives. Generally the day coincides with our expectation of normalcy. Our world is predictable and sensible. It is only when the unexpected occurs that we confront the realities of our fragile existence. It is without guarantees.
             Our response to this chaos is heightened fear. We become irritable and distru
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