Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common emotional disorder and affect more than 25 million Americans.
Mental healthOverview
Anxiety disorders are the most common emotional disorder and affect more than 25 million Americans. Fear and anxiety are part of life, but anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with anxiety disorders, the anxiety does not go away and it gets worse over time. People may have chest pains or nightmares, or they may even be afraid to leave home.
This anxiety can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and personal relationships. Untreated anxiety disorders make people avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. People with anxiety disorders are likely to suffer from depression, and they also may abuse alcohol and other drugs in an effort to gain relief from their symptoms.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders may include:
- Overwhelming feelings of panic and fear
- Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts
- Painful, intrusive memories
- Recurring nightmares
- Physical symptoms such as feeling sick to your stomach, “butterflies” in your stomach, heart pounding, startling easily, and muscle tension
There are several types of anxiety disorders: panic disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. Each type of anxiety has distinct triggers, symptoms, and treatments. Most anxiety disorders can be treated with combinations of medications and therapy.
Symptoms
- Panic Disorder. The main symptom of panic disorder is the panic attack, an overwhelming combination of physical and psychological distress. Sometimes, symptoms of a panic attack are so severe that many people with panic disorder believe they are having a heart attack or other life-threatening illness. An attack may include the following symptoms:Pounding heart or chest pain
- Sweating, trembling, shaking
- Shortness of breath, sensation of choking
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feeling unreal or disconnected
- Fear of losing control, “going crazy,” or dying
- Numbness
- Chills or hot flashes
- Phobias. A phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. These fears cause such distress that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear. There are three types of phobias:Specific phobia. An extreme or excessive fear of an object or situation that is generally not harmful. Patients know their fear is excessive, but they cannot overcome it. Fear of flying or fear of spiders are examples of common phobias.
- Social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder). Significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed or looked down on in social or performance situations. Public speaking, meeting people, or using public restrooms are examples of common social phobias.
- Agoraphobia. The fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms. Untreated agoraphobia can become so serious that a person may refuse to leave the house.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder . People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have ongoing, severe tension that interferes with daily functioning. They worry constantly and feel helpless to control these worries. The worries often focus on job responsibilities, family health, or minor matters such as chores, car repairs, or appointments. They may have problems sleeping, muscle aches or tension, feel shaky and weak, and have headaches. People with GAD can be irritable and often have problems concentrating and working effectively.
Causes & risk factors
The exact causes of anxiety disorders are unknown, but areas of the brain that control fear responses may have a role in some anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can run in families, which suggests that a combination of genes and environmental stresses can produce the disorders. The role of brain chemistry is also being investigated.
When to get help
Talk with your doctor if worry is hard to control or interferes with daily life, work, or sleep. Seek care for a first panic attack that feels like a heart attack, and call or text 988 if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
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All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health.