What Is Anxiety? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Center Options

Like many other mental disorders, the causes of anxiety cannot be narrowed down to just one. Instead, there are many things that could cause a person to develop an anxiety disorder.

Medical Causes

There are several medical situations that could cause a person to develop anxiety. Sometimes, the underlying cause of anxiety is a medical condition like heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, or even irritable bowel system (IBS). However, even if a person’s anxiety is not linked to these external factors, it might still be related to one’s body or brain.

Genetics

Genetics may be part of the cause for certain people developing anxiety disorders. Those who have loved ones such as parents, siblings, or children with anxiety are more likely to develop it themselves.

Brain Chemistry

A person with anxiety may also have different brain chemistry. This might be due to a chemical imbalance in neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which regulate moods, memories, and emotions. A part of the brain called the amygdala, which also helps regulate fear responses, is also more active in those with anxiety.

Substance Use/Abuse

Anxiety and addiction can go hand-in-hand. Substances like drugs and alcohol, and even prescription medications, can affect a person’s anxiety levels. Sometimes this is related to the use or abuse of these substances, but withdrawal from quitting can also cause anxiety.

Social Factors

Many social factors could also influence a person to develop an anxiety disorder.

Trauma in Childhood

Childhood trauma can affect a person for the rest of their life. Abuse and/or neglect can cause permanent changes in the brain, making it difficult for a person to regulate their emotions, form memories, or respond appropriately in fight-or-flight situations.

Negative Life Events

Any negative life event might also cause a person to develop an anxiety disorder. These events can include things like the death of a loved one, divorce, abuse, job insecurity, financial strain, etc.

Societal Pressures

Anxiety can also be impacted by social or societal pressure. People feel the need to measure up to certain standards, and when they perceive themselves to be failing in that endeavor, they may respond with a disproportionately anxious response. They might feel pressure in the workplace, pressure to get married, pressure to fit certain gender roles, etc.

There are many symptoms that could signal an anxiety disorder. A person may have all these symptoms or just a few.

• Feeling nervous
• Elevated heart rate
• Increased respiration
• Sweating or trembling
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating

There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Below are several of the most common.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder involves pervasive, persistent worries about routine events like making appointments, home repairs, chores, etc. These worries often interfere with daily activities. Generalized anxiety disorder is often accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which are episodes during which feelings of intense fear or anxiety reach a peak within minutes. Symptoms of panic attacks include things like chest pain,

palpitations, dizziness, nausea, fear of losing control, etc. Sometimes panic attacks are mistaken for heart attacks or other medical conditions.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is when a person has intense fear of being among people. People with social anxiety disorder (sometimes called social phobia) feel embarrassed or self-conscious in excess and often avoid going out among people.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is commonly seen in children and is related to excessive amounts of fear or anxiety that are felt by the child when he or she is not in the presence of his or her primary caregiver. These fears go beyond what is expected for certain age groups and persist for longer than four weeks.

Phobias

Phobias are also among anxiety disorders. There are phobias that are connected to a specific stimulus, like a person who has an irrational fear of spiders or public speaking. Often, people know that their reactions are not warranted, but they are unable to control them.

Agoraphobia is the fear of not being able to escape embarrassing situations, which often causes people to stay in their homes.

Anxiety disorders affect a person’s mental and physical health. Severe anxiety can cause problems in a person’s relationships and make it difficult to engage in normal daily activities like going to work or school. A person with anxiety, especially agoraphobia or social anxiety, may isolate themselves in an attempt to control the symptoms, ultimately resulting in a negative effect on wellness.

Anxiety disorders are a mental health condition, so a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, will want to ask you questions about your mental health history, medical history, and symptoms. He or she will also want to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could cause the symptoms.

To warrant a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, the symptoms must be pervasive and affect your ability to participate in daily activities.

Anxiety disorders can be managed by medication or therapy, or a combination of both. Lifestyle changes can also be helpful to a person with anxiety.

Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which aims to change a person’s behavior by changing the thought patterns that lead to the behavior, is a common form of therapy used to treat anxiety.

Exposure therapy is also helpful for many people. In this type of therapy, a therapist provides safe situations in which a patient is gradually exposed to their fears so that they can gain confidence in their ability to face and overcome their fears.

Medication

Medication is also a common part of treatment for anxiety. Antidepressants can be used to treat anxiety as well as depression. Benzodiazepines are also helpful for treating anxiety, but a person might build up resistance to them. Beta blockers can be used to help treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, but they don’t address the mental parts of the disorder.

Lifestyle and Support

Many people find that changing certain aspects of their lives can help with symptoms of anxiety. These might include things like learning stress management techniques, attending support groups, and even avoiding caffeine. Staying active and getting adequate sleep can also make it easier to deal with the symptoms of anxiety disorders.