Disease Insights: anxiety-disorder
Welcome to the ultimate guide on anxiety disorder. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for anxiety disorder
A mental health condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, or anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety disorder
difficulty concentrating, excessive worry, fatigue, irritability, restlessness
Precautions for anxiety disorder
Engage in therapy such as CBT, Take prescribed anti-anxiety medic, Practice relaxation techniques, Avoid caffeine and other stimulan
Questions Covered:
- what is anxiety disorder?
- What are the usual symptoms of anxiety disorder?
- causes of anxiety disorder?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with anxiety disorder?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has anxiety disorder, diagnosis?
- How do doctors usually treat anxiety disorder?
- What are the ways to prevent anxiety disorder?
Answers:
Question: what is anxiety disorder?
Anxiety affects everyone in different ways. Sometimes, the feelings of fear and dread don't go away or get worse over time. Here, you can learn about anxiety, who it affects, and how to manage it.
Question: What are the usual symptoms of anxiety disorder?
Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control like there's a disconnect between your mind and body.
You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event. In some cases, you may experience a panic attack.
Symptoms
of anxiety can include:
anxious thoughts or beliefs that are difficult to control
restlessness
trouble concentrating
difficulty falling asleep
fatigue
irritability
unexplained aches and pains
Your anxiety symptoms might be different from someone else's. That's why it's essential to know how anxiety can present itself. Read about the many types of anxiety symptoms you might experience.
Question: causes of anxiety disorder?
Experts aren't sure of the exact cause of anxiety. But it's likely that a combination of factors play a role.
The causes of anxiety may include:
stress
other medical issues such as depression or diabetes
first degree relatives with generalized anxiety disorder
environmental concerns, such as child abuse
substance use
situations such as surgery or occupational hazard
In addition, researchers believe that it stems from the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear and the storing and retrieval of emotional and fear-related memories.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with anxiety disorder?
With each type of anxiety, there are different risk factors. But there are some general influences
, including:
Personality traits. This includes shyness and nervousness in childhood.
Life history. This includes being exposed to negative or stressful live events.
Genetics. Of those who have a diagnosis of anxiety, 25 percent
have a first degree relative who also has a diagnosis of anxiety.
Other health conditions. Thyroid problems and other health conditions can make you prone to anxiety.
Stimulants. Consuming caffeine
, specific substances, and medications can worsen your symptoms.
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has anxiety disorder, diagnosis?
A single test can't diagnose anxiety. Instead, an anxiety diagnosis requires a lengthy process of physical examinations, mental health tests, and psychological questionnaires.
Some doctors or healthcare professionals may conduct a physical exam, including blood or urine tests to rule out underlying medical conditions that could contribute to the symptoms you're experiencing.
Several anxiety tests and scales are also used to help a doctor assess the level of anxiety you're experiencing. Reach about each of these tests.
Question: How do doctors usually treat anxiety disorder?
Once you've received a diagnosis of anxiety, you can explore treatment options with a doctor.
But treatment can help you overcome the symptoms and lead a more manageable day-to-day life.
Treatment for anxiety falls into three categories:
Psychotherapy. Therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention.
Complemental health techniques. Mindfulness, yoga, and self-management strategies such as stress management are ways to treat your anxiety using alternative methods.
Medication. Doctors prescribe antianxiety and antidepressant drugs.
Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help you learn tools to use and strategies to cope with stress when it occurs.
The Mental Health Resources page can provide tips on finding a psychiatrist, or a doctor who specializes in mental health, to fit your needs.
Medications typically used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines for short-term symptom relief, but they're avoided if possible due to the high risk of dependence. Other antianxiety or antidepressant medications such as escitalopram effectively alter your brain chemistry to improve mood and reduce stress.
Some other commonly used medications include:
Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine are common SSRIs.
Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Duloxetine and venlafaxine are common SNRIs.
Antipsychotics. Quetiapine and aripiprazole are common antipsychotics.
Benzodiazepines. Diazepam and clonazepam are common benzodiazepines.
Anxiolytics. Buspirone is a common anxiolytic.
Online therapy options
Please read our resource on finding online therapy that takes your insurance to find the right therapist for you.
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Question: What are the ways to prevent anxiety disorder?
Children and teens
It's not known why anxiety develops in children and teenagers. But there are excellent public health approaches that work to prevent the disorder, and they include:
suicide prevention
bullying prevention
youth violence prevention
child maltreatment prevention
mental health programs
As parents, you can communicate openly and honestly with your child while ensuring they're making healthy decisions.
To learn more about how to support your child's mental health, please check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resource page
.
In addition, in cases of children and teens experiencing anxiety in response to something happening within their family or in their home, it's a good idea to get family therapy. This is important especially because children and teens may not find it so easy to talk about their feelings or be aware of their anxiety.
Adults
There are many ways to prevent anxiety and its symptoms. Please see the below options:
Avoidance. Avoiding people, places, and situations can lessen your stress and anxiety. But this would be a short-term strategy. In the long term, it's better if you get treatment so you no longer need to avoid a trigger.
Stress management and mindfulness. Practicing stress management and mindfulness prevents strain.
Restrict caffeine. Caffeine can worsen anxiety symptoms.
Support groups. Speaking with others is an opportunity to share coping strategies and experiences.
Therapy. Speaking with a therapist can help you develop more effective ways to cope with fears and stress that lead to anxiety.
Speak with a doctor about your medications. Regularly speaking with a doctor about your medications' dosing, effectiveness, and side effects ensures any health condition is treated adequately and monitored for any possible anxiety-related side effects.
Useful Articles on anxiety disorder
Additional Information and Resources:
Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about anxiety disorder is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.