By Marta Hatter, LCSW — licensed clinical social worker and certified EMDR therapist with nearly three decades of experience.
Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders.
[nimh.nih.gov, National Institute of Mental Health, November 2018]
Symptoms of anxiety disorders
Treatment for panic and anxiety disorders can be highly effective, offering relief from symptoms and significantly improving your quality of life. Anxiety symptoms typically fall into three interconnected categories—physiological, cognitive, and emotional:
Physiological symptoms
- Feeling weak all over
- Rapid, pounding heartbeat or palpitations
- Tightness in the chest
- Hyperventilation
- Dizziness and sweating
- Muscle tension, aches or tremors
- Chronic fatigue
Anxiety causes physical changes in the body. Adrenaline and cortisol levels rise, and the body responds. When this occurs, the physical experiences in the body are the same as in an emergency; the heart races to allow quick muscular exertion and escape, breathing is rapid and shallow in an alarmed state, muscles tighten and tense up in anticipation of taking action, the chest feels pressure from both the rapid heart rate and the hyperventilation.
Cognitive symptoms
Anxiety often distorts your thoughts, making it difficult to think clearly or rationally in the moment. You may be experiencing anxiety or panic if you find yourself thinking things like:
- “I can’t carry on. I have to get out of here.”
- “What if I make a fool of myself?”
- “People are looking at me all the time.”
- “I am having a heart attack.”
- “I am going to faint.”
- “I am going crazy.”
- “I am confused, losing control.”
Anxiety and panic cause the adrenaline and cortisol to rapidly increase. Concentration and attention are impaired, and it becomes difficult to think clearly. The body is ready to react to an emergency that does not exist, so the mind is confused as it struggles to understand what is happening. It is easy to misinterpret the very real physical reactions, causing fearful thoughts to take control.
Emotional symptoms
- Feeling like something terrible is going to happen
- Being full of fears that fill your mind
- Worrying excessively
- Feeling uneasy and alone a lot of the time
- Feeling isolated, down in the dumps, without control
- Feeling embarrassed, rejected, criticized
When to seek help
If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or panic, the most important first step is to schedule a physical exam with your doctor to rule out any underlying medical causes. It’s essential to ensure your physical health is in good condition, as emotional and mood-related symptoms can sometimes be linked to physical issues. Identifying and addressing these associations is a critical part of your wellness journey.
What is equally important to anxiety treatment is understanding that you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population.
Anxiety disorders can often be effectively treated through psychotherapy, and in many cases, a combination of therapy and medication offers the best results. Research consistently shows strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of anxiety treatment, providing hope for meaningful recovery and improved quality of life.
Call Revelation Counseling for information about anxiety and panic treatment.
What causes anxiety disorders?
As with many mental health conditions, the cause of generalized anxiety disorders likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors, which may include:
- Differences in brain chemistry and function
- Genetics
- Differences in the way threats are perceived
- Development and personality
[mayoclinic.org, Mayo Clinic staff, November 2018]
Prevention
There’s no way to predict for certain what will cause someone to develop panic & anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you experience anxiety:
- Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
- Keep a journal. Keeping track of your personal life can help you and your mental health professional identify what’s causing you stress and what seems to help you feel better.
- Prioritize issues in your life. You can reduce anxiety by carefully managing your time and energy.
- Avoid unhealthy substance use. Alcohol and drug use and even nicotine or caffeine use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you’re addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. If you can’t quit on your own, see your doctor or find a treatment program or support group to help you.
[mayoclinic.org, Mayo Clinic staff, November 2018]
By Marta Hatter, LCSW.
She is a Certified EMDR Therapist and a member of NASW and EMDRIA. Her background also includes leadership roles in treatment programs, clinical supervision, and community education.