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Over 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders, making it the most common mental health condition in the U.S. While we all experience anxiety from time to time, an anxiety disorder can develop when intense feelings of fear and distress become debilitating. You might suffer from an anxiety disorder if your symptoms interfere with everyday life, from job performance to schoolwork and relationships.
Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder are three types of anxiety disorders. Thankfully, you'll find several recovery methods if you or a loved one struggles with these conditions.
Learn the symptoms, causes and effective treatment options for anxiety disorders to find much-needed relief.
Anxiety disorders are a combination of related mental health conditions. While symptoms differ between each condition, all have one thing in common: an excessive worry or fear in non-threatening situations.
The severity of these symptoms can depend on the person and the type of event that causes anxiety. You might have an anxiety disorder if you notice any of these emotional, physical, behavioral or cognitive warning signs or symptoms:
Some of the psychosocial or emotional symptoms of anxiety can include:
The physical effects of anxiety can be debilitating and significantly impact one's daily life. Symptoms can include:
When anxiety disorders are left untreated, the symptoms can cause behavioral changes that affect a person's day-to-day life. Behavioral effects of anxiety might include:
Over time, anxiety disorders can lead to cognitive health problems, such as:
While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, experts believe it could come down to several factors. Life changes such as traumatic events appear to trigger them, while inherited traits can also be a factor. Other anxiety disorders might stem from significant life changes such as losing a job or the end of a romantic relationship.
The following is an outline of the many causes and risk factors that may influence the development of anxiety disorders:
Growing research suggests that genetic features might play a role in developing an anxiety disorder. In fact, a 2019 study found that if you have specific genetics, you might be more prone to anxiety. Another study concluded that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) could be inherited, with GAD and associated conditions linked to specific genes.
When talking about genetics, there are a few risk factors involved in the development of anxiety disorders:
While genetics can play a role in anxiety disorders, your environment can also dictate certain mental conditions. Suppose you've recently witnessed a traumatic event or are close to someone who has. In that case, you're at a higher risk of developing acute stress disorder (ASD), while ongoing symptoms might be a sign of something even more severe, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Symptoms might develop shortly after the traumatic event. However, some might not appear for months or even years later. They might include flashbacks, bad dreams, angry outbursts or avoiding situations that trigger anxiety symptoms.
Mental health researchers have also discovered that when children witness a traumatic event, it could increase their risk of developing anxiety later in life. Traumatic experiences or events can include mental or physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, divorce or prolonged illness.
Other environmental factors that can put you at risk of an anxiety disorder might include:
Like trauma, significant life events or changes can lead to anxiety or adjustment disorders. Usually, this type of anxiety will dissipate over time, though some may develop into a severe issue if left untreated.
Environmental factors that might exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and adjustment disorder include:
A combination of genetics and environmental stressors leads to anxiety, but sometimes professionals can link these disorders to an underlying health issue or medication side effects. If you don't have biological relatives with an anxiety disorder, have no history of having it and your anxious symptoms seem unrelated to life events, doctors can evaluate you for underlying health problems that might cause or worsen anxiety.
Examples of medical problems that can be linked to anxiety or aggravate symptoms can include:
Anxiety may go away after a triggering event ends, though it can reoccur depending on your life circumstances. If a life ch ange or stressor caused your anxiety, your symptoms may improve in a few months. On the other hand, if you continue to endure trauma and stressors, your symptoms can compound and cause your anxiety to become long-term. If left unaddressed, the disorder can worsen and significantly disrupt your life and those around you.
Anxiety disorders may lead to the following:
Anxiety can significantly affect your quality of life and the people around you. If left unaddressed, symptoms may become more challenging to manage and impact your daily routines, relationships and mental health.
As we've touched on, an anxiety disorder can often occur alongside other mental health concerns. Experts have noticed that you more than likely suffer from other conditions if you have anxiety. Co-occurring disorders can include:
Social anxiety disorder is more intense than just shyness. This disorder is marked by an intense fear of any social interaction, often driven by irrational worries of humiliation. People with social anxiety will often avoid interacting in conversations, class discussions, work meetings and other forums for fear of being rejected or saying the wrong thing.
For these reasons, just the anticipation of social interaction can cause those with a social anxiety disorder to experience panic attacks and they'll often cope by isolating themselves. Fear, nervousness and avoidance become part of this person's everyday life as social anxiety disrupts their relationships and routines.
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by episodes of intense fear alongside physical symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, abdominal distress, heart palpitations and chest pain. The symptoms might linger for a couple of hours and can often be confused for a heart attack or stroke. Other signs of panic disorder might include:
Panic attacks caused by this disorder occur independently without triggers, stressors or any sign of immediate danger. People who have panic disorder often attribute their attacks to the situations or places they were when they occurred. This can turn into agoraphobia or a fear of leaving the house or being in public places.
Those who struggle with GAD experience chronic worrying about everyday life. This worrying about uncertainties can consume all hours of the day and make it difficult to focus on tasks and life obligations. People with GAD might experience restlessness, headaches, nausea and body tension due to the affliction and become exhausted by their worries over time. They often anticipate disaster and experience excessive concerns about money, health, relationships, work or school.
GAD is often associated with other mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder. More than 6.8 million adults in the U.S. struggle with it today and most find its symptoms begin in the life stages between childhood and middle age.
We all tend to avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. However, for someone with a phobia, specific events, places or objects trigger powerful reactions of intense, irrational fear. These reactions can be caused by several different things, with most people with phobias working hard to avoid their triggers and reduce symptoms. These attempts to control fear can completely take over a person's life.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an anxiety disorder, you'll be happy to know that several effective treatment options can provide relief. While medicine can help manage severe symptoms, a holistic approach to anxiety can help you get to the root of your anxiety disorder.
Holistic treatment centers often draw their treatment methods from traditional forms of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy. At most alternative treatment centers, you'll discover ways to quell cognitive distortions and increase positive self-talk. Clients learn to identify and alleviate their stressors and move forward with a healthier mind and body.
Most treatment centers will employ an integrative approach or use peer-reviewed science and spiritual traditions for a broader recovery. While holistic care centers personalize plans based on your needs, some alternative treatments for anxiety can include:
Studies suggest that nutritious meals and healthy eating patterns that fit dietary recommendations can treat and prevent depression and anxiety. To help treat anxiety disorders, The Sanctuary at Sedona will provide nutrition education and gourmet nutritious meals during your treatment.
For example, research has shown these dietary approaches can reduce anxiety:
Further, the following dietary measures are believed to help avoid anxiety:
An effective non-drug treatment for anxiety or depression, CBT involves identifying the underlying issues behind one's mental health issues and addressing them safely with the support of mental health professional. Numerous studies suggest the effectiveness of CBT in improving one's quality of life and alleviating stressful symptoms of anxiety disorders.
CBT aims to change unhelpful thought patterns and find healthy ways to cope with psychological problems. Strategies might include:
Not all therapists will implement the same strategies in CBT therapy. Instead, they will work with the client to personalize treatment and establish the best possible plan for each session.
Regular exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve the immune system. In fact, research finds that just five minutes of aerobic exercise can alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve our overall mental health.
The same research also found that those who got regular vigorous exercise were 25% less likely to develop anxiety disorders in the next five years, with physically active people experiencing less anxiety and depression than sedentary people.
Yoga incorporates meditation, breathing techniques and body movements all into one activity. The relaxation and exercise of yoga make it a soothing way to combat stress and anxiety. A 2018 study found that 12 yoga sessions significantly improved anxiety, stress and depression among the participants.
Anxiety often causes racing thoughts that interrupt focus and concentration. Mindful meditation is a great tool to overcome the challenges of anxiety disorders and can help soothe stress and relax the entire body.
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment while noticing feelings or sensations rather than evaluating them. The technique allows those suffering from anxiety disorders to step away from the chaos and troubles plaguing their minds and into a safe emotional space to examine the source of their anxiety.
We'll now dive into a few common questions we receive about anxiety disorders:
Various treatment options can help you treat anxiety without the use of medicine. Experts have found that exercise, nutritious diets and mindfulness meditation can relieve anxiety and prevent one from developing an anxiety disorder.
The physical symptoms of anxiety can include a racing heartbeat, nausea, headaches and body tension. Each sign will vary depending on the person, the root of their anxiety and the type of disorder.
If you know someone struggling with anxiety, it's important to express your concern and ask them how you can support them in coping with their anxiety. Offering your undivided attention can help your loved ones feel heard and make them more likely to seek professional treatment.
Most people experience anxiety at some point throughout their lifetime. In fact, anxiety disorders affect 18% of the population every year. While anxiety disorders are prevalent among the entire population, recent studies have shown women are twice as likely to develop one as men.
Anxiety affects everyone differently, which is why holistic anxiety treatment provides an integrative approach rather than believing in one standardized solution.
If you feel caught up in the throes of anxiety and stress, it's time to take control. The Sanctuary at Sedona offers residential anxiety treatment focusing on a natural, holistic approach to healing. Unwind and discover the root of your anxiety in a safe and supported environment. Our personalized, science-based recovery program can help you alleviate your symptoms and take control of your anxiety.
To learn more about our anxiety treatment, contact us today!
