Although some anxiety is beneficial, many people have anxiety issues that interfere with their lives. Lifestyle changes can help, but medication or counseling may be necessary to overcome anxiety. People should not feel ashamed about talking to a mental health professional about their anxiety issues to get the help they need.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders fall into different categories. People who feel anxious all the time may have generalized anxiety disorder. Those who are unable to control their unwanted anxious thoughts and behaviors may have obsessive-compulsive disorder, also referred to as OCD. Repeated, unexpected panic attacks are common in panic disorder, while a debilitating fear of social situations characterizes social anxiety disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs after a traumatic or stressful event and often includes flashbacks or nightmares about the event. Finally, phobias are intense, irrational fears about a specific object or situation.
Symptoms
Although anxiety is a mental condition, it triggers physical reactions in the body. Common physical symptoms of anxiety might include sweating, gastrointestinal issues, shortness of breath, pounding or racing heart, frequent urination, insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, tremors, twitches, headaches and body aches.
Excessive worrying and irrational fears are the main emotional symptoms associated with anxiety, but others also can occur. Feelings of irritability, restlessness, apprehension or dread, difficulty concentrating and always anticipating the worst are common emotional symptoms of anxiety.
Misconceptions
Anxiety often causes many physical symptoms, and many people mistake their anxiety for a medical condition. People who often have unexplained aches and pains should consider talking to a mental health professional to determine if anxiety may be playing a role in their physical condition.
Panic Attacks
People with anxiety issues may suffer from episodes of intense panic or fear called panic attacks. These attacks often occur very suddenly and only tend to last for a short period of time, usually peaking after about 10 minutes and rarely lasting more than 30 minutes. Common symptoms include a sudden burst of overwhelming panic, heart palpitations or chest pains, hyperventilation or difficulty breathing, choking, hot flashes or chills, gastrointestinal issues and trembling and shaking. People often fear they are losing control or going crazy, and some even feel as if they are dying. After having a panic attack, people often fear having another one, which only exacerbates the anxiety issue.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes can reduce anxiety, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Exercising regularly, getting an adequate amount of sleep, practicing relaxation exercises and avoiding drugs, alcohol and caffeine may help. People may also set a "worry time" and try to limit their anxious thoughts to occur only in that time frame. This allows people to feel more in control of their worrying. Confronting the issues that are causing the anxiety can also go a long way in easing symptoms.
Treatments
Before treating anxiety issues, doctors usually perform evaluations to rule out any physical conditions that may be causing the symptoms. If no physical problems exist, a doctor or mental health professional may recommend medication, counseling or a combination of the two to treat the anxiety. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and beta-blockers are common types of medications prescribed for anxiety, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Although counseling techniques for anxiety will vary, many therapists will take a cognitive-behavioral approach when treating anxiety issues. This approach challenges people to change their thinking and behavior about their anxiety.
Considerations
Although it is possible only to experience issues with anxiety, many people have depression issues alongside their anxiety issues at some point. This may be because both conditions seem to stem from the same biological vulnerability in the brain, according to the Help Guide website. People with both conditions should choose treatment options that will deal with both the anxiety and the depression.
