Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults yearly. Anxiety disorders can range in severity and symptoms and impact a person’s life and the lives of those around them.

Fortunately, anxiety disorders are treatable. As those with anxiety are six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychotic disorders than those without, seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential. We can help you understand more about the condition and the available treatment options so that you can live a happier and more fulfilled life.

What Is Anxiety?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical symptoms. Those who experience anxiety have recurring intrusive thoughts that differ from the everyday concerns and worries that everyone experiences occasionally.

Anxiety is difficult to control, and a person’s psychological reaction is often disproportionate to the situation. The severity of the physical symptoms of anxiety vary and can include disturbances of the heart and lungs. Chronic anxiety can interfere with work, school, and relationships.

What Are the Major Types of Anxiety?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identifies five major types of anxiety disorders:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Chronic anxiety and worry when there is little or no specific reason.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Recurrent thoughts or obsessions, often with repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD perform rituals such as counting or cleaning to relieve their obsessive thoughts temporarily. These behaviors can cause those with OCD to experience significant problems in their daily life.
Panic disorder: Unexpected episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Anxiety triggered by traumatic events such as violent assaults, natural disasters, accidents, or military combat.
Social phobia (or social anxiety disorder): An intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This can happen in social situations, such as when speaking or eating in front of others.

Other types of anxiety disorders include:

Specific Phobias: Fear related to aspects of everyday life such as:
- Specific animals (e.g., spiders, snakes, or dogs)
- Heights
- Injections
Agoraphobia: In its most severe form, individuals with agoraphobia can become housebound as it involves an intense fear of open spaces and crowds.
Separation anxiety disorder: Often viewed as related to children and adolescents, adults can also experience a separation anxiety disorder. An individual will become anxious when away from loved ones as they worry about bad things happening to those people.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

A National Institute of Health (NIH) study states that the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors causes anxiety disorders. Research has shown that anxiety disorders are more prevalent among certain groups. A 2016 study identified anxiety as most common among women, young adults, people with chronic diseases, and people from Euro/Anglo cultures. Other studies have shown that anxiety is prevalent among minority groups. For example, anxiety is more chronic, and the symptoms are more intense for Black women than their White counterparts. While the reasons are varied and uncertain, there are clear links to the effect of racism and sexism on mental health. Other risk factors for anxiety include:

Trauma: If someone experiences a traumatic event such as a violent incident or accident, they may become anxious about the incident happening again.
Childhood trauma: Studies have shown that those that experience trauma as a child, including mental and physical abuse, are at a greater risk of developing anxiety as an adult.
Substance abuse: Rates of comorbid substance use and anxiety disorders are high, meaning that it is common for individuals to have both.
Medication: Some medications for other health problems can cause anxiety. Examples include medication for thyroid problems, asthma, and ADHD.
Genetics: Studies have shown that a person can inherit a genetic predisposition to developing an anxiety disorder.

What Are the Signs of an Anxiety Disorder?

There are many different physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety disorders. Some of the most common are:

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Gastrointestinal problems
Hyperventilation
Weakness or tiredness
Muscle tension

Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

Feeling restless or nervous
Lack of concentration
Having trouble sleeping
A sense of impending doom
Avoiding things that trigger anxiety
Unable to control thoughts or actions related to worries

What Is the Impact of Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just being worried about things. It can impair a person’s physical and mental health, including:

Cardiovascular health: Anxiety can cause high blood pressure and an increased heart rate that, over time, can lead to heart disease and heart attacks. There is also evidence that anxiety can develop after cardiac events.
Immune system: Researchers believe there is a link between the immune system and anxiety disorders. When you feel anxious and stressed, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. More cortisol can increase inflammation in the body, which can overwork your immune system and cause it to be ineffective.
Work and school performance: When someone has anxiety and struggles to focus on anything else, their concentration and motivation levels for work or school decline. Studies have shown that anxiety and depression are associated with impaired work performance and safety.
Experiencing anxiety attacks or panic attacks: Anxiety attacks usually build up gradually and last for an extended time. Panic attacks tend to be more sudden but then subside quickly. These attacks can be debilitating, with people experiencing a sense of doom, shortness of breath, and nausea. Sufferers try to avoid situations that may cause an attack and sometimes require medical attention. Panic attacks have the highest number of medical visits of all anxiety disorders.
Developing other medical conditions: Anxiety disorders have been linked to the onset of health conditions, including other mental disorders. For example, a 2020 study found that participants with anxiety were 2.8 times more likely to suffer depression.

How Are Anxiety Disorders Treated?

It can be challenging to diagnose an anxiety disorder as the symptoms and causes are varied. Sometimes, a diagnosis may be made when the anxiety lasts more than six months. Seeing your doctor if you think you may be experiencing anxiety is advisable. They can assess your circumstances and offer advice about the next steps.

Many treatment options are available, and a treatment plan will be devised to meet the needs of the individual. In general, anxiety treatment involves psychotherapy with or without medication. Examples of treatment options include:

Therapy for Anxiety

The first approach for treating anxiety is often to engage in counseling or “talk therapy.” Usually involving a therapist and a patient in a one-on-one setting, either in person or online, talk therapy can also occur within support groups and include family members. Examples of talk therapy techniques are:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT identifies how a person’s thoughts and feelings influence behavior. Patients are encouraged to change their thought patterns to ones that will positively impact their life. CBT is one of the most well-researched and efficacious treatments for anxiety disorders.
Diagnostic Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on people who react emotionally to situations and make potentially unhealthy decisions based on these emotions.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR has proven effective in treating anxiety. Patients are encouraged to recall and process traumatic memories while moving their eyes in a specific way.
Somatic Therapy: This type of therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and the body. Patients are encouraged to identify their physical responses to recalled trauma and develop ways to regulate their emotions in the future.
Exposure therapy: Patients are exposed to, or are encouraged to face, stressful situations and develop new coping methods.
Interpersonal Therapy: This type of therapy can be particularly beneficial if a person’s anxiety results from or causes difficulties in interpersonal relationships or social situations.

Medication for Anxiety

Often used in conjunction with therapy, patients may be prescribed anti-anxiety medications. These can help manage symptoms, with examples of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications being:

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (or Benzos) are sedatives that relax the body and mind. They must only be taken as a medical professional prescribes, as dependence may otherwise develop. Side effects include drowsiness, confusion, and headaches, and examples include:

alprazolam (Xanax)
diazepam (Valium)
lorazepam (Ativan)

Antidepressants

These medications, usually used to treat depression, can also be used for anxiety. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a type of antidepressant that is often prescribed as they increase levels of serotonin that affect mood, sleep, and memory. The side effects of SSRIs include nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Examples include:

fluoxetine (Prozac)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
sertraline (Zoloft)

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are often used to treat heart conditions but can also relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety. A beta-blocker such as propranolol can be prescribed to help reduce performance anxiety symptoms such as sweating and shaking. Side effects may include fatigue, insomnia, and shortness of breath.

Alternative Treatments for Anxiety

As well as talk therapy and medication, other forms of treatment can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Some treatments require guidance from a healthcare professional, while others are self-help methods. Examples include:

Expressive arts and music: A person can express themselves without words which can help them to understand more about their thoughts and feelings.
Yoga and meditation: Many people with anxiety find that holistic therapies calm the mind and body, helping to manage their symptoms.
Improved nutrition: A healthy diet can aid in reducing symptoms of anxiety. This involves eating more fresh and unprocessed food, but some specific foods can also help reduce anxiety.
Physical exercise: As a natural mood-lifter, exercise aids in stress management and significantly reduces anxiety symptoms.

Where Can I Find Treatment for Anxiety?

Anxiety treatment programs are available across the U.S., and Rehab.com can help you find the treatment facility that is right for you. When choosing a treatment program, there are many factors to consider including your personal needs, budget, and location. Additional considerations include:

Does the Treatment Center Specialize in Anxiety Issues?

There are many benefits to attending a program specifically designed for those with anxiety. The mental health professionals on site will be experienced in treating anxiety and will be up-to-date with the most recent developments and treatment options. You will also receive peer support from other people in a similar situation. Group therapy can lead to significant reductions in levels of anxiety-related dysfunction.

Will I Need To Stay at the Treatment Facility?

Inpatient programs are generally more intense than outpatient programs, requiring you to live at the treatment center and attend regular therapy sessions. These programs are suitable if you have severe anxiety, need to be monitored while taking medication, or have a co-occurring substance use disorder. During outpatient programs, patients attend the center several times weekly for scheduled individual or group sessions and medication management.

Will My Insurance Be Accepted?

Healthcare insurance often covers anxiety treatment but may not be accepted by all facilities. Other payment plans may be available, and each treatment center will provide information about available options.

If you or a loved one suffers from anxiety, rest assured that help is available. Through treatment, you can work to develop new thought processes and coping methods for everyday challenges. Overcoming anxiety and creating a happier and more grounded life is possible with effective treatment and support.

Anxiety Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Types