It’s natural for everyone to occasionally feel overwhelmed or stressed. However, when does everyday stress cross the line into something more serious like anxiety? Keep reading to understand the signs of anxiety, its symptoms, and treatment options so you can make informed decisions when it comes to your mental health.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress that involves feeling tense, having worried thoughts, and experiencing physical changes in the body. This response, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response, evolved as a survival technique that allowed our ancestors to react quickly to life-threatening situations. When we perceive danger, our bodies release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, preparing us to either confront the threat or flee to safety.
While this response can be helpful in dangerous situations, it can become problematic when it’s activated too frequently or intensely in everyday life. Research suggests that chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to:
- High blood pressure
- Formation of artery-clogging deposits
- Brain changes that reinforce anxiety patterns
- Digestive issues
- Immune system repression
Anxiety is also one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting over 40 million adults in the United States alone.
Fear vs. Anxiety
Often used interchangeably, fear and anxiety are actually very distinct from one another. Fear, for example, is a reaction to a specific and observable danger in the present moment. It has clear boundaries and often goes away when the threat passes. An example is being startled by a car suddenly swerving toward you.
On the other hand, anxiety is more diffuse and focused on the future. It often lacks a specific focus and lasts even in the absence of immediate danger. Anxiety frequently involves anticipating potential threats rather than responding to current ones.
When we experience something that feels like fear but lacks an immediate physical danger, we’re likely experiencing anxiety. Anxiety often results from suppressing emotions and needs. In other words, the body expends energy to push down feelings, which creates a state of heightened alertness and tension.
Types of Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest in many different ways as it’s not a single mental health condition on its own. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), common anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Agoraphobia
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Selective Mutism
- Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
- Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
Many people experience symptoms that may not fully match the criteria for a specific disorder but still significantly affects their quality of life. In this case, they may be diagnosed with an unspecified anxiety disorder.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety can affect both your mind and your body. Symptoms usually begin during childhood or adolescence and may continue into adulthood if left unaddressed.
Physical Symptoms
There’s a gut-brain connection in the body, which can result in some of the physical symptoms of anxiety. Essentially, this communication system means that a part of the body that’s in distress will send a signal to the brain and vice versa. Some of the most common physical symptoms include:
- Increased heart rate, palpitations, or chest pain
- Shortness of breath, hyperventilation, or a feeling of choking
- Nausea, stomach pain, or digestive issues
- Muscle tension, trembling, or fatigue
- Dizziness, headaches, or tingling sensations
- Insomnia or nightmares
Mental Symptoms
Anxiety can also affect your thinking patterns and behavior through symptoms like:
- Worry, rumination, catastrophizing or difficulty concentrating
- Irritability, restlessness, or feeling on edge
- Derealization, depersonalization, or heightened sensitivity
- Avoidance, safety behaviors, or procrastination
It’s also worth mentioning that anxiety frequently occurs alongside depression. Some estimates show that 60% of those with anxiety also experience symptoms of depression, which can contribute or exacerbate the mental symptoms of anxiety.
How is Anxiety Treated?
The good news is that anxiety is treatable. Most providers will recommend one or a combination of treatments, including medication or therapy.
Medications
There are several medication classes approved for the treatment of anxiety:
- SSRIs (like fluoxetine and sertraline)
- SNRIs (like venlafaxine and duloxetine)
- Benzodiazepines* (like alprazolam and lorazepam)
- Less common options include buspirone, beta-blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants
Healthcare providers typically recommend SSRIs or SNRIs as first-line treatments due to their overall tolerability and effectiveness. Be aware that finding the right medication requires patience. It can take several weeks to notice improvement, and symptoms sometimes temporarily increase during the first two weeks of treatment.
*Used sparingly due to potential dependence
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective non-medication option for treating anxiety. It’s based on the principle that thoughts influence feelings and behaviors and help identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns.
The theory behind behavioral therapy assumes that because human behavior is learned, it can be changed or learned in a different way. Techniques used in CBT include:
- Identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns like black-and-white thinking, generalization, and catastrophizing
- Gradually facing feared situations to reduce avoidance
- Testing beliefs about anxiety-provoking situations
- Developing skills to reduce physical tension
Alternative Treatments
Aside from medication and therapy, there are other approaches that may help ease some of your symptoms. For instance, one option to consider is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Research shows this non-invasive brain stimulation procedure can reduce anxiety symptoms, with one study finding an average 14-point reduction on anxiety measures (GAD-7). Other options include:
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Getting quality sleep
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Practicing meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises
- Eating a balanced diet
These approaches often work best when integrated with conventional treatments rather than used as replacements.
Find Relief with Cura Behavioral Health
By understanding the signs of anxiety, you can get the proper treatment, allowing you to lead a more fulfilling life. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it may be time to reach out for professional support. The team at Cura Behavioral Health specializes in anxiety treatment that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of anxiety disorders. Contact us today to learn more.
Sources:
- Understanding the stress response – Harvard Health Publishing
- The burden of anxiety among a nationally representative US adult population – Journal of Affective Disorders
- What’s the Difference Between Anxiety and Fear? – Psychology Today
- DSM-5 Table of Contents – American Psychiatric Association
- Anxiety disorders – World Health Organization
- Pay attention to your gut-brain connection – it may contribute to your anxiety and digestion problems – Harvard Health Publishing
- The Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depression – NAMI
- Pharmacological Treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Current Practice and Future Directions – Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
- In brief: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – InformedHealth .org
- Efficacy of right sided low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in treatment resistant anxiety disorders – Brain Stimulation Journal
