Dealing with anxiety can be tough. Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Anxiety and How To Deal With It

Everything You Need To Know About Anxiety and How To Deal With It

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone feels anxious at times. Anxiety disorders are different. They involve excessive fear or anxiety and can cause significant problems in a person’s life. It is estimated that about 18% of adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are treatable, but only about one-third of people with anxiety receive treatment. Many people with anxiety never seek treatment because they think their symptoms are not severe enough, or they hesitate to see a mental health professional because of the stigma associated with mental illness. This article will cover everything you need to know about anxiety, including the different types of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and how to treat them.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at one time or another. It is a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or fear. These feelings are generally mild and short-lived. However, some people experience more severe and long-lasting anxiety that can interfere with their daily lives. Understanding that there is a difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is essential.

Anxiety disorders are natural, severe medical conditions – just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults over 18. (That’s 18.1% of the population) But only 36.9% of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment.

 

How Are Anxiety Disorders Treated?

The most common treatment for anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people learn to manage their anxiety by changing their thoughts and behavior. Other types of treatment for anxiety disorders include medication, relaxation techniques, and exposure therapy. Anyone considering treatment for anxiety should talk to their doctor or mental health professional to determine what is best for them.

Also, seeing a therapist that specializes in anxiety can be very helpful. Denver has many great therapists who specialize in treating anxiety.  You can check online for a Denver therapist for anxiety to find someone who is a highly rated therapist. The most important thing is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and who you think can help you. Finding a CBT therapist is also essential, as this is the most effective therapy for anxiety disorders.

What Are The Different Types Of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders that involve excessive fear or anxiety. There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This is the most common type of anxiety disorder, characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various topics, including finances, work, family, and health. People with GAD may also experience physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

SAD is characterized by intense anxiety or fear of social situations, such as parties, public speaking, or meeting new people. People with SAD may avoid social problems altogether or suffer through them with intense anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort that may include palpitations, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and/or shortness of breath. People with panic disorder may also have a phobia of places or situations where they fear an attack may occur.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves intense fear or anxiety about situations in which escape might be intricate, such as being in a crowd or on a bridge. People with agoraphobia may avoid problems such as these or endure them with great anxiety.

Specific Phobias

A phobia is an intense fear or anxiety about a particular object or situation, such as snakes, heights, flying, or needles. People with specific phobias may go to great lengths to avoid their fear, or they may suffer through the situation with intense anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD may wash their hands excessively, count or arrange objects in a certain way, or check and recheck things to relieve their anxiety.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, or an act of violence. People with PTSD may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, suffer from insomnia or irritability, and have difficulty concentrating or feel detached from others.

What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety Disorders?

The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the type of disorder. Still, they typically include excessive fear or worry, anticipatory anxiety, avoidance of feared objects or situations, and physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and muscle tension.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, but they are thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Anxiety disorders may run in families, but it is unclear if this is due to genetic or environmental factors. Exposure to traumatic events, such as war or natural disasters may also contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.

In conclusion,  anxiety is a normal emotion everyone experiences at some point in their lives. However, anxiety can interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress when it becomes severe. If you are struggling with anxiety, there are treatment options available that can help. Speak to your doctor or a mental health professional to find out what might be right for you.