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    Anxiety Disorders

    What Are Anxiety Disorders?

    Updated:No Comments11 Mins Read

    What Are Anxiety Disorders?

    Anxiety is a common human experience. However, when anxiety is severe and interferes with your daily routine, it may suggest the presence of an anxiety disorder.

    Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions in the United States, so if you’re worried about your anxiety, rest assured that you’re not alone.

    The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that around 30% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

    Even though anxiety can be challenging, there are numerous methods to deal with it. By using the appropriate strategies, you can handle your anxiety and begin to feel less anxious.

    Continue reading to discover the various anxiety disorders, their symptoms and treatments, as well as helpful tips for coping with anxiety.

    Types of anxiety disorders

    Anxiety is a normal emotional state that involves feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. However, when these feelings become excessive and interfere with a person’s daily life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.

    Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, or worry that can significantly affect a person’s well-being and ability to function. They are defined by specific situations or objects that trigger anxiety, and can cause various negative thoughts and behaviors that can impact a person’s work, school, relationships, or hobbies.

    Different anxiety disorders have unique symptoms and types of negative thoughts associated with them.

    Types of anxiety disorders include:

    • GAD, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is characterized by excessive and persistent worry and fear about various aspects of life such as health, social interactions, and work. The worries occur on most days for at least six months.
    • Panic Disorder: This disorder is characterized by unexpected and recurrent panic attacks that can lead to anxiety or stress about future attacks. It is important to note that having panic attacks does not always mean that you have panic disorder.
    • Agoraphobia: This disorder involves an intense fear of situations that may be difficult to escape from, such as open or enclosed spaces, or public transportation. This fear can make it difficult for people to leave their homes.
    • Social Anxiety Disorder: This is an intense fear of social situations or performing in front of others, often linked to a fear of negative judgement from others or showing signs of anxiety or embarrassment in public.
    • Specific Phobias: These involve an intense fear of a particular object or situation, often out of proportion to the actual danger posed. Common phobias include animals, heights, flying, and injections.
    • Separation Anxiety Disorder: This condition involves intense anxiety about being separated from people with whom one feels close, and can affect both children and adults.

    Other mental health conditions that may include symptoms of anxiety but are not classified as anxiety disorders under DSM-5 are:

    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): It can occur after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms may appear within three months of the trauma, but sometimes they can appear years later.
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): It involves recurring, uncontrollable thoughts or behaviors. The obsessions or compulsions linked with OCD can cause intense anxiety.

    According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), around 19 million adults in the United States, which accounts for 8.7% of the population, experience specific phobias, making it the most prevalent type of anxiety disorder.

    The ADAA also reports that social anxiety disorder affects approximately 15 million adults, while GAD impacts at least 6.8 million adults in the United States.

    Symptoms

    Anxiety disorders are defined by intense feelings of fear or worry that can affect a person’s daily functioning, including social anxiety.

    These strong emotions can cause changes in behavior, as people often try to avoid situations or objects that trigger their anxiety. Anxiety symptoms occur when the body perceives a threat, which activates the body’s stress response system.

    Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol increase, which prepares the body for action, resulting in faster heart rate, increased breathing, and muscle readiness.

    Anxiety can have both physical and psychological effects, such as racing thoughts, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, dry mouth, dizziness, feelings of panic, sweating, tunnel vision, restlessness, muscle tension, physical weakness, poor memory, confusion, difficulty concentrating, constant worry, and dissociation.

    Many of these symptoms might be recognizable even if you don’t suffer from anxiety disorders.

    However, if they are severe, persistent, and disturbing enough to cause extreme discomfort, a feeling of being out of control, or helplessness, this could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

    If you’re unsure whether what you’re going through is an anxiety disorder, you can take our quiz to find out.

    Causes

    Anxiety disorders, similar to various other mental health conditions, are believed to be caused by a multifaceted interplay of factors, including genetic and environmental factors.

    It is still unclear why certain individuals may encounter a panic attack or develop a phobia, while others who have similar family backgrounds or shared experiences do not, as research has not yet provided a clear explanation for this.

    Many different factors can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder. Here’s a brief description of each:

    • Childhood development: Experiencing stressful or traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or the loss of a loved one, may increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder later in life.
    • Genetics: Studies have found that certain genes may be linked to the development of anxiety disorders. However, genetics alone are unlikely to cause an anxiety disorder, and environmental factors also play a role.
    • Neurobiology: Research suggests that imbalances in brain chemicals and circuitry may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
    • Psychological factors: Individuals who have a history of depression, other mental health conditions, or substance abuse may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
    • Personality development: Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or a tendency toward negative thinking, may increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
    • Social and environmental cues: Stressful life events, such as a job loss or divorce, may trigger the onset of an anxiety disorder. Social factors, such as a lack of social support or exposure to violence or trauma, may also contribute.
    • Protective factors: Certain factors, such as having a strong support system or engaging in regular exercise, may help protect against the development of an anxiety disorder.

    Risk factors

    In addition to the specific causes of each type of anxiety disorder, there are general risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. These risk factors include:

    • Exposure to stressful or traumatic events, either in childhood or adulthood
    • A family history of anxiety or other mental health disorders
    • Certain physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias
    • Shyness or behavioral inhibition in childhood
    • Substance abuse or addiction
    • Chronic stress
    • Personality traits such as perfectionism or low self-esteem
    • Certain medications or medical treatments
    • Lack of social support or a weak support network.

    Anxiety disorders are more prevalent in females, with an estimated 23.4% of females and 14.3% of males affected.

    Certain communities that experience discrimination may also have higher rates of anxiety disorders.

    For instance, LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to have anxiety and depression compared to heterosexual, gender-conforming individuals, with 39% of LGBTQ+ people reporting having a mental health condition in the past year.

    Treatments

    Anxiety treatment typically involves two main components: psychotherapy and medications, if necessary. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional to address the underlying causes of anxiety and develop coping strategies. Medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, and may be prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapy.

    Despite the effectiveness of treatment, many people with anxiety disorders do not receive professional help. The ADAA estimates that only 36.9% of people receive treatment.

    The most appropriate treatment approach for anxiety can vary depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder. However, there are everyday coping strategies that can also be helpful in reducing anxiety. As different methods work for different people, it may be beneficial to try out various strategies to determine what works best for you.

    Psychotherapy

    Psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other behavioral therapies, are often effective in treating different types of anxiety disorders. CBT helps individuals adjust their thinking patterns and behaviors in response to anxiety-provoking situations.

    In some cases, exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy may be used, which gradually exposes individuals to the situations or objects that trigger their anxiety in a safe and controlled manner.

    Research has shown that these therapies can be helpful for many people with anxiety disorders.

    Medication

    While medications don’t cure anxiety, they can help alleviate the symptoms. Depending on the individual’s needs, medications may be taken as needed for specific anxiety-provoking situations or to relieve physical symptoms, or on a daily basis.

    Benzodiazepines are a frequently prescribed class of anti-anxiety medication taken as needed. They are known for their fast-acting properties and are quickly eliminated from the body compared to other psychiatric medications that may take longer to leave the system and require more time to take effect.

    Black box warning

    Benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Ativan, are known to cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, and they have a black box warning from the FDA.

    In addition to benzodiazepines, other types of medications that are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders include anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. Anti-anxiety drugs, also known as anxiolytics, are usually fast-acting and used to provide immediate relief from anxiety symptoms.

    Antidepressants can be effective for treating both anxiety and depression, and they are usually taken on a daily basis. Beta-blockers are often used to treat physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heart rate and trembling.

    Everyday coping methods

    Finding the most effective coping strategies for managing anxiety may require some experimentation. It’s crucial to proceed at your own pace and stick to what feels most comfortable and useful.

    While you cannot always anticipate when anxiety will arise, having a plan in place can give you a greater sense of control and make it easier to manage.

    Many people find that relaxation methods are a powerful tool for soothing anxiety. These include:

    • Progressive muscle relaxation. This involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This technique can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.
    • Yoga. Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.
    • Aromatherapy. Certain scents, like lavender, chamomile, and bergamot, have been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body. You can use essential oils, candles, or diffusers to incorporate aromatherapy into your relaxation routine. Remember, what works best for you may be different from what works for someone else. Try different relaxation methods to see what works best for you.

     

    Regular exercise can be an effective method to alleviate anxiety.

    If starting an exercise routine seems daunting, begin with gentle activities such as taking a walk or stretching. Exercise releases endorphins, which can elevate mood and diminish anxiety. Some individuals may find that caffeine and specific medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, and thus reducing the consumption of caffeine and alcohol may help manage anxiety.

    How to get help

    Although anxiety can make people feel isolated, anxiety disorders are actually quite common.

    Peer support can be an effective component of treatment for anxiety disorders, and it can take many forms, including online communities or in-person meetings.

    There are a number of resources online that can help:

    Suicide prevention

    If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now:

    Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.

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