WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Although all of us experience occasional anxieties, worries, or fears, anxiety disorders are a category of mental health disorders that seriously impact everyday life. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, with more than 40 million sufferers.
Anxiety disorders often begin during the teen years and can worsen over time. Oftentimes, depression and anxiety are comorbid conditions, meaning they exist at the same time. Anxiety may also be accompanied by other mental health disorders, such as OCD, ADHD, or PTSD.
Specific types of anxiety disorders include:
- Social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Specific phobias
- Health anxiety
Unfortunately, less than 37% of people with anxiety will ever receive treatment, despite it being a highly treatable condition. If you are suffering from excessive worrying, stress, or fear, you don’t have to live this way forever: recovery is possible.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER
Often, the symptoms of anxiety develop slowly, making it difficult to pinpoint when it “begins.” Common signs of anxiety may include:
- Excessive worry about everyday things
- Difficulty controlling feelings of nervousness or fear
- Trouble relaxing
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep difficulties
- Feeling easily or frequently tired
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, or stomach problems
- Feeling “on edge”
- Irritability
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- Lightheadedness
- Excess stress surrounding school, health, work, finances, relationships, or household chores
Anxiety symptoms tend to worsen during periods of high stress and may come and go at varying points of life. However, regardless of the combination of symptoms a person with anxiety may experience, the result significantly impacts their everyday life, experiences, and relationships with friends and family.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ANXIETY DISORDER
Elevate Psychiatry can diagnose and treat anxiety in children and adults, helping you find freedom from symptoms and return to a more enjoyable way of life.
Depending on your symptoms and goals, treatment may include:
Medication
Therapy
Lifestyle Changes