Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure, according to the American Psychological Association.
Anxiety is intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. It can be normal when it occurs in stressful situations like interviews, public speaking or examinations.
However, anxiety becomes a problem when you begin to have excessive feelings which might interfere with your daily life such as taking care of yourself, holding down a job, enjoying leisure time, trying new things, and forming or maintaining relationships.
Anxiety can impact your physical and mental health negatively, often having short- or long-term effects on your mind and body.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders. They include agoraphobia, anxiety disorder due to a medical condition, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias and substance-induced anxiety disorder.
Signs of Anxiety
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include a rapid heart rate, nervousness, fast breathing, restlessness, panic attacks, chest pain, shaking, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, nausea, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, feeling too hot or cold and digestive issues.
Other signs and symptoms include headaches, grinding of teeth, changes in sex drive, low mood and depression, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and periods of temporary relief which often follows the compulsive behaviors.
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety may be caused by traumatic events, inherited traits, side effects of medications and underlying health issues like diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, respiratory disorders, alcohol withdrawal, chronic pain, tumors and drug misuse or withdrawal.
Risk Factors of Anxiety
There are some factors that may increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. They include trauma, stress due to an illness, personality, stress build-up and mental health disorders like depression.
Complications of Anxiety
Anxiety disorder can cause or worsen other mental and physical conditions like depression, insomnia, substance misuse, headaches, chronic pain, digestive or bowel problems, social isolation, suicide, inability to function at school or work and poor quality of life.
Prevention of Anxiety
You can reduce the impact of the symptoms of anxiety through the following ways:
Getting Help
Get help as early as possible if you feel like having an anxiety disorder. This will make it easier to treat.
Staying Active
Participate in activities you love and enjoy interactions and relationships that can lessen your worries.
Avoiding Alcohol or Drug Use
Drinking alcohol or using drugs can cause or worsen anxiety. For an addict, quitting can make you anxious. Seek help if you can’t quit on your own.
Treatment of Anxiety
While anxiety is common, its origins are unique to each person. Understanding the symptoms allows you to heal any unresolved issues and create space for a sense of internal peace, calm and firmness. The Center for Connection, Healing and Change offers a deeper dive into your relationship with anxiety and how it plays out in your life, utilizing evidence-based therapy models and offering a tried-and-tested approach to treating anxiety.
Need anxiety treatment? Schedule a free consultation today, or visit CCHC offices in Woodbridge or Fairfax if you are in Virginia.