Do you often feel restless, agitated, or overwhelmed with worries and thoughts of what might go wrong? Anxiety can interfere with your ability to succeed at work or in school, sabotage family life, challenge romantic relationships, and make for difficult interpersonal interactions.
Key points
- Different people experience anxiety in different ways
- Anxiety tends to respond well to treatment
- You can learn to recognize the symptoms of anxiety
- Choose an effective treatment path for anxiety
In this article...
Overview
Do you frequently experience anxiety, unease, a lack of motivation, or relationship issues? Do you often get intrusive thoughts? Do you regularly feel insecure and question what others think of you? Your emotional challenges may be powered by an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, anxiety often responds well to psychotherapy.
Anxiety is extremely common
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in five US adults between 18 and 60 experienced an anxiety disorder in the last year.
Even prior to COVID-19, the prevalence of anxiety was on the rise. The epidemic just amplified this secular long-term tendency. Before and during the epidemic, psychologists and social workers measured an increase in the severity and frequency of emotional issues. Although the numbers have come down a little, they are still registering higher than they were before 2020 and are continuing to rise steadily again.
Modern life creates a perfect storm for anxiety. Working from home, having fewer social interactions, less time with friends, looser familial ties, spending more time indoors, and large doses of screen time all contribute to the increase in anxiety. A growing number of individuals are finding it difficult to manage their stress. Some people use alcohol to self-medicate or adopt other unhealthy behaviors.
Anxiety levels, once elevated, tend to stay high or get higher
Everyone is hard-wired to react to anxiety. When our brain perceives hazards, such as a bear emerging from the woods or a speeding car approaching, anxiety helps us respond to the challenge. When we are concerned about missing a plane, we sprint to the gate. When we need to meet a deadline at work, we can get an extra burst of energy.
When we don’t respond effectively to an anxiety trigger, or if the trigger persists over time, we can get stuck in stress-induced mental pathways. We can develop unhealthy and negative coping patterns that keep us stuck and feeling anxious even after the initial trigger has passed.
Types of anxiety disorders
Anxiety manifests in various ways across individuals and life stages. Common forms include generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety, and phobias.
Symptoms
Your symptoms may depend on the specific anxiety condition that you experience.
Social anxiety can make it difficult for you to speak up at work or school, engage in social situations, or even have trouble leaving the house. This can sometimes tie into identity issues if you are worried about what it will feel like to be yourself out in the world.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) usually involves persistent feelings of anxiety or dread. Other symptoms include feeling on edge or restless, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, irritability, headaches, stomachaches, or other pain without a clear source.
Panic attacks may include experiencing an accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, chest pain, or feeling out of control. Sometimes you may stop doing what you like to do because you worry about having a panic attack again.
Phobias are intense fears that are out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or the situation. Some examples of phobias include fear of flying, driving, heights, or being in an enclosed space.
Causes and risk factors
Hereditary and environmental variables contribute to the chance of developing an anxiety disorder. Exposure to life stressors, family history, or other mental health challenges in your family makes it more likely that you will have difficulty managing anxiety. High doses of caffeine or substance abuse can make anxiety more likely as well.
Treatment for anxiety
Anxiety disorders tend to improve with psychotherapy, or “talk therapy.” For psychotherapy to be effective, it should be focused on your specific experience. With the right choice of therapist and therapy approach, you can restore balance in your life. You can live a life with fewer worries. You can feel more calm and content. You can feel more present, and life will feel meaningful.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches individuals alternative ways of thinking, responding, and reacting to situations in order to reduce anxiety and fear. CBT has been extensively researched.
Exposure therapy is a CBT technique for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Exposure therapy focuses on tackling the worries underlying an anxiety condition to assist individuals in engaging in activities they have been avoiding. Sometimes, exposure treatment is combined with relaxation exercises.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)employs mindfulness, learning about your personal values, and other strategies to alleviate anxiety.
Medication can help support healthy coping though we often get to know you well before suggesting you get evaluated for medications. You may find that medication enables you to stabilize your mood, improve your ability to function at home and work, and start taking better care of yourself. Medication is often a complement to psychotherapy and holistic care, reinforcing your ability to stick to healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines.
Break free from anxiety—find your path to calm
Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. Whether you’re struggling with constant worry, panic attacks, or social anxiety, effective treatments like CBT, ACT, and exposure therapy can help you feel more balanced and in control.
Start your journey toward relief today – Book a free consultation to find the right support and regain a sense of peace.
Take the first step—schedule your session now!
More information
Anxiety Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
Henning, M., Subic-Wrana, C., Wiltink, J., & Beutel, M. (2020). Anxiety Disorders in Patients With Somatic Diseases. Psychosomatic Medicine.
Nelson, H., Cantor, A., Pappas, M., & Weeks, C. (2020). Screening for Anxiety in Adolescent and Adult Women. Annals of Internal Medicine.
What’s the difference between stress and anxiety? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/anxiety-difference
