What is anxiety?

Everybody experiences anxiety at some point in their life. Many people feel tense or apprehensive before a job interview, first date, or during a stressful situation. If you have an anxiety disorder, however, these feelings of worry, dread, or fear are persistent and commonly occur under routine circumstances.

Without the right care, untreated anxiety can be debilitating. Anxiety can even interfere with your ability to work, go to school, or form and maintain meaningful interpersonal relationships.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Although the symptoms of anxiety can vary depending on the type you have and its severity, some of the most common signs include:

1. Nervousness or restlessness
2. Feelings of intense worry, fear, or dread
3. Increased heart rate
4. Insomnia
5. Trouble concentrating
6. Weakness
7. Gastrointestinal issues
8. Increased sweat
9. Rapid breathing

In some instances, individuals with anxiety experience intense feelings of doom that can interfere with their daily routines.

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

Many anxiety disorders exist, but the most common types are:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder causes ordinary events or situations to feel overwhelming or frightening. If you have GAD, you may feel worried during instances that normally wouldn’t trigger such a reaction.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety leads to high levels of fear, self-consciousness, and panic in social situations. Many individuals with this type of anxiety avoid social situations to ease their discomfort.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a disorder that raises anxiety in crowded areas. Some individuals with agoraphobia avoid congested spaces, while others experience severe panic anywhere outside of their own home.

Separation anxiety disorder

Most often seen in children, separation anxiety disorder leads to excessive fear when the individual is not near a parental figure or caretaker.

What causes anxiety?

Many underlying factors can trigger anxiety in children and adults, including:

1. A family history of anxiety disorders
2. Other mental health concerns, such as depression or ADHD
3. Traumatic events
4. Extreme stress
5. Heart disease
6. Thyroid disorders
7. Alcohol or drugs
8. Diabetes

Severe stress, alcohol, and caffeine may also exacerbate symptoms in individuals with anxiety disorders.

What are the treatments for anxiety?

A multifaceted approach to treatment is essential when reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Common treatments to prevent anxiety flare-ups include:

1. Stress reduction
2. Avoidance of triggers
3. Limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption
4. Exercise
5. Establishing a routine

At Journey2Wellness, LLC, Latrice tailors anxiety treatment to each patient. Two common treatments she recommends for anxiety disorders are:

Medication management

Anti-anxiety medications, such as buspirone, as well as certain antidepressants, beta blockers, and benzodiazepines (sedatives), can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

Counseling

One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT aims to change the way you think and behave. By identifying unhelpful thoughts and actions, CBT allows you to create more helpful patterns.

To learn more about anxiety, call Journey2Wellness, LLC, or complete an appointment request form online today.