Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. It's your body's natural response to stress—like when you're about to take a test, speak in public, or face danger. But anxiety becomes a problem when it’s excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily life.
The DSM-5 describes anxiety disorders as a group of mental health conditions characterized by intense, excessive, and prolonged worry or fear about everyday situations. They can affect how a person feels, thinks, and behaves—often accompanied by physical symptoms. Our human brains have long been programmed to be on alert in order to keep us from harm, but too much of this puts us in a fight or flight pattern that drives cortisol and distress.
The best thing to know about anxiety is that it is highly treatable!
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
Persistent worry or fear that's hard to control
Feeling restless or on edge
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Trouble sleeping (falling or staying asleep)
Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
Panic attacks (sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms)
There are several distinct types of Anxiety Disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic worry about a variety of topics, even when there's little reason to worry.
Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks, with intense fear and physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations.
Specific Phobias: Extreme fear of specific things or situations (e.g., flying, spiders, heights).
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being apart from loved ones or home, more common in children but can affect adults too.
Agoraphobia: Fear of places or situations where escape might be hard, often leading to avoidance.
What are the causes of anxiety:
Genetics: Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters (like serotonin or GABA).
Personality: Traits like perfectionism or low self-esteem.
Life events: Trauma, stress, abuse, or significant life changes.
Medical conditions: Thyroid problems, heart issues, or substance use.
Treatment of anxiety depends on the severity and type of the disorder, but usually includes some combination of:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The most effective type for anxiety. It helps identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Exposure Therapy: Gradual exposure to feared objects or situations to reduce sensitivity.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaches people to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Helps with awareness and presence, reducing overthinking and stress.
Polyvagal Exercises: These simple exercises teach us how to relax the vagus nerve, which keeps us in fight of flight mode.
Medication is used to treat anxiety, prescribed by your primary care physician or psychiatrist.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Often first-line treatment (e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine).
SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): Another common option (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine).
Benzodiazepines: Fast-acting but risk of dependence, used short-term (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam).
Beta-blockers: Help manage physical symptoms, especially in performance anxiety.
Buspirone: Non-addictive anxiety medication, sometimes used long-term.
Lifestyle & Self-Help
Regular exercise: Reduces stress hormones and boosts mood.
Sleep hygiene: Stick to a regular schedule and avoid screens before bed.
Limit caffeine and alcohol: Both can worsen anxiety symptoms.
Mindfulness and meditation: Reduces reactivity and improves awareness.
·Breathing techniques: Helps manage physical symptoms during panic or high anxiety.
Support Systems
Support groups: Talking to others with similar experiences can reduce isolation.
Friends and family: Sharing openly with trusted people can relieve emotional burden.
When to Seek Help:
If anxiety interferes with daily functioning (work, school, relationships)
If it's causing panic attacks or intense physical symptoms
If you're avoiding important situations due to fear
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Know that anxiety is highly treatable and many people improve quickly and significantly with therapy.