What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human response to danger or stress and we all experience it. It is a feeling of worry or nervousness. Although it is normal, some people have an overactive anxiety response which can cause mental health issues.
Symptoms of anxiety can vary depending on the person and/or situation. Some symptoms include difficulty focusing, tight chest, shallow breathing, irrational thoughts of danger, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, etc.
Genetics, environment, and neurological factors all contribute to anxiety. Some people are genetically predisposed to developing anxiety disorders which means there are people in the family who also have these struggles.
Some individuals learn to respond to stressors with an anxiety disorder either due to a lack of skills to reduce it or because it is learned in the family they grew up in. Neurologically, anxiety disorders are associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Cognitive factors such as irrational beliefs or maladaptive coping skills can also be a contributing factor.
What Causes Anxiety?
In addition to genetics and brain chemistry imbalances, traumatic life experiences, chronic stress, medical conditions, substance abuse, major life changes, and personality traits can all contribute to anxiety disorders.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
- Excessive worry or fear
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Irritability
- Difficulty focusing
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty sleeping
- Racing heartbeat or palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Feelings of depersonalization
Types of Anxiety Disorders
All anxiety disorders can be improved through therapy. There are seven different diagnosable anxiety disorders.
- GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) is excessive worry about everyday events or activities as opposed to worry about something specific. It can have multiple triggers.
- Panic Disorder involves recurring panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense but irrational fear. There are physiological symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and sweating with panic attacks.
- Social Anxiety is an intense fear of social situations, usually caused by a fear of scrutiny by others. People with social anxiety may avoid social interactions, public speaking, or any other situations in which they believe they may be judged.
- Specific Phobias involve an irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. Fear of heights, driving over bridges, claustrophobia, and flying are among the most common specific phobias.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions), which are performed to alleviate anxiety. Some common ones are fear of germs with compulsive hand washing or fear of forgetting to lock the door with excessive checking.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing a traumatic event such as combat or a natural disaster. Symptoms include intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance of any reminders of the trauma.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder is usually diagnosed in children but not always. It involves excessive fear of being separated by a parent or other important people.
Benefits of Anxiety Therapy
Therapy can be highly effective to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders. Therapy can help people identify triggers and develop coping skills to manage those triggers to reduce stress. Therapists can help people challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs which are contributing to their anxiety condition. This will help reframe faulty beliefs and promote more positive and productive thinking. Identifying strengths can help people feel more resilient which strengthens their ability to handle stress.