What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Every year, more than 40 million American adults are affected by anxiety. As nearly 20% of the adult population is affected, it’s very likely that you or someone you know is dealing with an anxiety disorder. But what exactly is an anxiety disorder? And is there a difference between feeling anxious and having anxiety? In this post we’ll look at what anxiety is, some of the signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder, and the treatment options available.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to a stressor. It’s part of the body’s fight-flight-freeze response that is triggered when you encounter a dangerous situation. Anxiety is not inherently bad- in response to a threat it can help sharpen your thinking and prepare your body to move efficiently to safety. Anxiety becomes a problem when it occurs in response to situations that are not life threatening or even real, or if it persists all of the time.
It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes. Giving a big presentation at work, meeting your significant other’s parents, taking an exam, and many other situations can provoke anxiety. Feeling anxious sometimes does not necessarily mean that you have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are diagnosed according to a specific set of criteria that are outlined in the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual mental health professionals use.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
The signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder will vary based on the kind of anxiety it is and the person who is experiencing it. The symptoms may come and go, or be persistent across time and situations. The severity of the symptoms can also vary from mildly distressing to completely debilitating. Below is a list of some of the most common signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
Feelings of anxiety, worry, or fear that are difficult or impossible to control
Feeling tense, restless, or hypervigilant
Feeling irritable
Trouble sleeping
Difficulty concentrating, feeling like your mind keeps going blank, or racing thoughts
Excessive sweating
Muscle tension
Nausea
Dizziness
Increased heart rate or breathing rate
Many signs and symptoms that are caused by anxiety can also be caused by a number of physical health conditions. For example, a racing heart can be a symptom of anxiety, but it can also be a symptom of anemia and hyperthyroidism. It is important to see a primary care doctor for a yearly physical, or if you have a sudden onset of new symptoms. Your doctor can rule out any underlying medical conditions or treat any issues that are discovered.
If you’re wondering if you might have an anxiety disorder, try this 1 minute quiz.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can feel completely overwhelming, paralzying, and impossible to overcome. Unfortunately, only about 37% of people with an anxiety disorder get the treatment that they need. But those that do tend to respond very well to treatment and are able to resolve or significantly reduce their symptoms. There are a number of treatment options available for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy, medication, and a combination of the two are most common.
Therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. Depending on the therapeutic orientation, treatment may be very structured and skills-based or non-directive and relationship-based. CBT is one of the structured and skilled-based orientations, and also one of the most commonly used. It focuses on helping clients identify the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Using specific techniques, clients learn how to interrupt the cycle to reduce symptoms. On the other side, person-centered therapy is very non-directive and relationship based. It uses the therapeutic relationship to help clients understand themselves better so that they can intuitively make changes that help them resolve their anxiety.
There are many other therapeutic orientations that fall on the spectrum between CBT and person-centered, including ACT, DBT, exposure therapy, and IFS. While many therapeutic orientations are effective in treating anxiety disorders, not every type is right for every person. If you try one type of therapy and don’t experience any changes, don’t be discouraged. You might just need a different approach.
The other treatment option available is medication. There are a few main categories of medications typically used to treat anxiety. SSRIs (such as Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft), benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium), and beta blockers (such as Tenormin and Inderal) are some of the most common. Medications are prescribed by a psychiatrist, primary care doctor, or other licensed prescriber.
Most anxiety medications take a few weeks to start having an effect, so don’t worry if you don’t feel any different after only a few days. It’s very important to follow the instructions your prescribing provider gave you. Some medications may have side effects under certain conditions that can be dangerous. For example, many anxiety medications become dangerously strong when mixed with alcohol and can impact your liver or kidney function. Other medications need to be tapered down instead of suddenly stopped. If you decide to stop taking your medication, call and ask about the best way to do that.
Over the counter supplements such as valerian root, GABA, and CBD may also be used. While these can be purchased with a prescription, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any supplement regimen. For more information about the medication options available, click here.
Many people choose to do a combination of therapy and medication. While medication can be very effective in eliminating symptoms, people often find that the anxiety comes back as soon as they stop taking it. In therapy, the anxiety can be resolved at the root so that in the future, neither therapy nor medication is necessary. Because this process can take time, using medication can help provide relief in the time it takes therapy to yield results.
Figuring out the right combination of treatment approaches can take time. And what works for one person might not work for you. If you are struggling with anxiety, know that you are not alone. There are effective treatment options available to help you start feeling better.
If you’re curious to learn more about anxiety, check out the webpage for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They provide extensive information and a helpful list of resources.
____________________
If you are struggling with anxiety and are interested in how I might be able to help you, please reach out.
