Final answer:
A disorder where an individual constantly anticipates disaster, often due to a heightened state of anxiety, is known as an anxiety disorder, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being a specific type characterized by recurrent worry about potential disasters and danger.
Step-by-step explanation:
A disorder where a patient might always anticipate disaster, often stemming from an increased state of catastrophic thinking and anxiety, is typically referred to as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, and phobias. The type of anxiety that involves persistent worry about potential disasters and extreme physical danger, like one might feel following a severe psychological trauma or during ongoing economic risks, can be specifically characterized as PTSD, which was notably observed among veterans after the Vietnam War. Treatment for PTSD and other anxiety disorders can involve therapy, medication, and support to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
It is crucial to differentiate between normal anxiety, which is a response to stress, and the more persistent and debilitating anxiety experienced in anxiety disorders. Occasional anxiety is a common, natural reaction to stress, however, with anxiety disorders, the feelings of worry and fear are intense and last long-term, significantly impacting a