What are the symptoms of 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:
GAD is characterized by constant and persistent symptoms of anxiety, in which the amount of anxiety is disproportional to the situation.
Also known as social phobia, SAD is characterized by overwhelming symptoms of anxiety around social interactions and other public situations. This can result in avoidance of social situations or interactions with others.
Panic disorder is characterized by a recurrent and sudden onset of severe anxiety symptoms that peak in only minutes, known as a panic attack.
Specific phobias are an extreme anxiety triggered by a specific object or situation, such as spiders, enclosed spaces, or water.
OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, and worries that result in repetitive or ritualistic behaviors in order to control the anxiety. These behaviors can include counting, checking things, organizing, cleaning, or mental compulsions.
BDD is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions with perceived flaws related to body image. This may result in compulsive behaviors such as skin picking, excessive use of make-up, or cosmetic surgeries in order to correct the perceived flaw.
The primary treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Group therapy or interpersonal therapy is also sometimes used.
The most common medication used to treat anxiety are antidepressants.
For more information on alternative therapies, check out our page on Depressive Disorders.
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.
If symptoms inhibit an individual from functioning, intensive outpatient or inpatient treatment may be recommended. For more information, click here.
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Made In His Image is a Catholic ministry that serves women experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and trauma recovery.
LikeKristen is a YouTube channel dedicated to mental health awareness and recovery. Check out her videos on coping with anxiety and recovery.
In addition to the apps listed in this article, Catholic apps that help with anxiety include Reimagining the Examen, Pray As You Go, and Hallow.
Kati Morton is a licensed therapist who is an active online activist for mental health. Check out her videos on anxiety disorders.
Living with an anxiety disorder often means living with intrusive thoughts. These experts provide insight into coping with intrusive thoughts and overcoming them.
Intrusive Thoughts provides education and awareness about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and especially mental compulsions or "Pure-O" OCD.
Hosted by licensed therapist Kimberley Quinlan, Your Anxiety Toolkit provides you with coping skills to manage anxiety, stress, and more. With guests who experience a variety of anxiety disorders from Generalized Anxiety Disorder to OCD, there is something helpful for everyone.
This Christian podcast about living and thriving with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder provides personal experiences and coping tips for anyone living with this disorder or who has a loved one who does.
Though the center is located in Los Angeles, their website provides fantastic and clear information on all types of anxiety disorders, including the various manifestations of OCD.
Recovering perfectionist Colleen Carroll Campbell shares her story of how she learned to let go of her own standards for herself and embrace God's plan for her sanctification.
This retreat by Fr. Jean offers some of the most thorough and profound insights into the spirituality of St. Thérèse, a saint who struggled greatly with anxiety, perfectionism, and scrupulosity. His insights into her Little Way are balm for an anxious heart.
This books shares how the author overcame his chronic worrying and embraced hope and peace in his faith.
Scrupulous Anonymous is a Catholic ministry that releases newsletters for individuals who struggle with scrupulosity and religious anxiety.
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