Anxiety disorders are among the most frequent mental disorders together with affective disorders with a lifetime prevalence of 18%. The pathogenesis of these disorders is complex and includes biological and psychosocial factors. Modern diagnostic classification systems (ICD-10, DSM-IV) differentiate between panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia and specific phobia. Recommended treatment approaches include psychotherapy as well as pharmacotherapy, which have to be preceded by an empathic psychoeducation. Today, cognitive behavioural psychotherapy and modern antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors represent the first-line therapy of most anxiety disorders. This review gives an overview of pathogenesis, clinical presentation and current treatment standards.