What Is Anxiety?
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
- Feelings of nervousness or being tense
- Restlessness or irritability
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing or hyperventilation
- Muscle weakness, fatigue, or trembling
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
- Avoidance of situations or things that trigger anxiety
How common are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health disorder in the U.S. and affect 18.1% of the adult population every year. Specific phobias are the most common anxiety disorder, affecting 19 million adults and usually beginning in childhood. Though anxiety disorders are highly treatable, less than half of people experiencing an anxiety disorder receive treatment.
What is a panic attack?
Panic attacks are differentiated from anxiety by the sudden onset of the following symptoms:
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Muscle trembling
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fear of dying
- Feeling of "going crazy"
- Feeling of being detached from reality
Treatments for Anxiety
Therapy
The primary treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Group therapy or interpersonal therapy is also sometimes used.
Medication
The most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants.
Alternative Medicine
For more information on alternative therapies, check out our page on Depressive Disorders.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes that can reduce the symptoms of anxiety include regular exercise, healthy eating, drinking plenty of water, meditation and prayer, and self-care practices such as journalling.
Intensive Outpatient and Hospitalization
If symptoms inhibit an individual from functioning, intensive outpatient or inpatient treatment may be recommended. For more information, click here.
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