Anxiety is a common mental health disorder, characterized by strong and consistent feelings of worry or fear that occur during everyday situations, that affects roughly 40 million American adults, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Anxiety is a diverse mental health condition and can be caused by any number of stressful life experiences that have occurred recently or in the past. Some common triggers of anxiety include:
- A change in your living arrangements.
- The death of a loved one.
- Trauma or serious emotional shock.
- Stressful events such as a car accident or a fire.
- A change in your living arrangements.
- Stress at work or a job change.
- Family and relationship issues.
- Sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional abuse.
For many people, the signs and symptoms of an anxiety condition are likewise diverse and will become apparent differently. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Increased heart rate and heart palpitations.
- Shortness of breath.
- Perspiration.
- Dry mouth.
- Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Inability to cope with stressful events
- Fear and uneasiness.
- Difficulty sitting still or concentrating.
- Muscle tension or tension headaches.
Many individuals who suffer also describe simply not being able to turn off their thoughts; their minds are always racing from thought to thought, worrying, and uneasy about things that would not normally matter to someone. Even the smallest issue or potential hiccup can seem like a huge, insurmountable problem for a person who has anxiety.
To be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you’ll need to see a doctor and submit to an examination. Sometimes physical issues or conditions such as hypothyroidism can produce symptoms similar to an anxiety disorder. If you experience anxiety on a regular basis that inhibits you from going about your daily life, it’s a good idea to see a doctor and ask them about your condition.
If you are diagnosed with anxiety, you’ll typically be diagnosed with a specific anxiety disorder. These formal diagnoses are important and will influence the care and treatment programs you receive for your condition. A person can even have multiple anxiety disorders at the same time. Some common forms of anxiety disorders include:
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- Generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is the term most often used for individuals who suffer from a constant and often irrational state of worry. Not only does the feeling persist for months or even years, but no matter what happens, there seems to be no resolution in sight.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after a traumatic event. When a person encounters a situation similar to the traumatic event, they can experience anxiety.
- Panic Disorder. Panic attacks are short episodes of overwhelming terror. The symptoms can feel similar to those of a heart attack, with some people feeling like they are about to die.
- Phobias. A phobia is an intense fear of specific things. You may have a phobia of public speaking, for instance, or a specific animal. Depending on the phobia, it can easily interfere with your daily life.
- Social anxiety disorders. People with social anxiety disorder fear interacting with others. They can also begin to feel anxious when they’re in crowded spaces.
