Anxiety is part of being human and it is perfectly normal to experience periodic amounts of anxiety in life. In fact, anxiety is linked to our survival instincts and the natural drive to avoid dangerous and life threatening situations.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to situations it perceives as unfamiliar, and potentially stressful or dangerous. Small, periodic bouts of anxiety are healthy. However, if you start to feel like your anxiety is becoming something beyond what’s normal for you, there may be cause for concern.
In the United States, the most commonly diagnosed mental illness is an anxiety disorder. And over 40 million Americans will experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. So, if you’re struggling with anxiety, you’re not alone.
Common Types of Anxiety Disorders
We all have our own ideas of what anxiety is or what it looks like, but the truth is anxiety disorders appear in a variety of different ways. These are the five most common types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is often referred to as GAD. It is characterized by chronic anxiety and exaggerated worry, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it. Symptoms of GAD often include feeling restless, and having trouble concentrating.
Panic Disorder
Another type of anxiety disorder is called Panic Disorder. With Panic Disorder, a person can have unexpected and repeated episodes of fear; often extreme, debilitating fear, accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is characterized by anxiety or fear of being judged or rejected in a social or performance situation. Along with fear, people can experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, blushing, and sweating. And these physical symptoms can often make a person’s social anxiety feel worse.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder that results in recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Some examples of OCD behaviors are:
- Repeated double-checking of things like locks, doors, or electronics
- Counting, tapping, or repeating specific words
- Unwanted thoughts about perfection and fears that if things are imperfect something terrible will happen
The cycle of obsessions and compulsions can become so extreme that it can begin to consume a significant amount of a person’s time. And it can get in the way of them being able to participate in activities they once enjoyed. It is important to seek mental health counseling for OCD if it begins disrupting daily life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is a type of anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Some examples of traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include:
- Violent personal assaults or abuse
- Disasters or pandemics
- Accidents and other traumatic events
- Military combat or experiences
PTSD symptoms that can contribute to a person feeling anxious can vary. But, some of the most common PTSD symptoms include experiencing flashbacks or nightmares, finding it difficult to sleep or difficult to concentrate, and being easily irritated.
The Most Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Symptoms of anxiety can vary based on the type of anxiety you have. Symptoms can also vary widely person to person and can affect both mental and physical health. The following are a few common ways anxiety affects the mind and the body.
Mind: Mental Symptoms of Anxiety
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
- Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
- Feelings of impending doom
- Feelings of being out of control
- New or irrational fears
Body: Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Pounding heartbeat or an accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Feelings of shortness of breath
How Do You Treat Anxiety?
Prolonged and untreated anxiety can be detrimental to your health and quality of life but the good news is that anxiety disorders are very treatable. In fact, most anxiety disorders are treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Treating Anxiety with Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is one way to treat anxiety disorders. Talk therapy can teach people different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to anxiety-producing objects and situations. Talk therapy can also help people get to the root of their anxiety, understand where their anxiety comes from and learn skills to manage it.
Medication Can Help Relieve Symptoms of Anxiety
Although medication does not cure anxiety disorders, it can help relieve symptoms. Medication for anxiety must be prescribed by a doctor, such as a psychiatrist or primary care provider. If interested in medication, people should work closely with their doctor to explore options and identify which medication is best for them.
***Elemental Mental Health professionals DO NOT prescribe medication.***
How to Seek Treatment for Anxiety?
Whether you choose psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, the important thing is to take action. Long term stress and anxiety can interfere with your job performance, social life, and relationships and even though anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only 37% of those suffering with anxiety receive treatment.
If you are ready to address your anxiety using a therapeutic approach, EMH can guide you through this process. Dr. Alyx MacTernan offers secure online counseling sessions for clients wanting to get to the root of their anxiety, understand where their anxiety comes from and learn skills to manage it.
Elemental Mental Health offers online mental health counseling services to residents of California, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Fill out the website contact form to learn more.