Exploring the depths of excessive worry: Reasons behind persistent anxiousness and frequently asked questions
Anxiety disorders are a common mental health condition, affecting over 19% of Americans. These disorders are characterised by feelings of tension and worrying thoughts, possibly leading to physical changes such as increased blood pressure.
Symptoms of anxiety may include feelings of nervousness, tension, and restlessness, faster breathing and increased heart rate, sweating, having a sense of dread, and ruminating thoughts. Anxiety differs from fear in that it is a long-term response to an anticipated future concern.
Various treatment options for severe anxiety include medications, talking therapies, and self-help resources. Medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil), Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are commonly used. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) are also used in some cases.
Talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Relaxation Therapy, and Exposure Therapy may be recommended. CBT is a type of talking therapy that can help with anxiety by teaching you how to recognise and challenge negative thoughts and behaviours. Applied Relaxation Therapy is a type of talking therapy that can help you learn how to relax your body and mind. Exposure Therapy may be recommended for someone with social anxiety or phobias, helping them to face and cope with their fears.
Lifestyle adjustments can also help manage anxiety. Regular physical exercise can help manage anxiety, as can limiting or reducing alcohol and other recreational drugs. Maintaining a support network can also be beneficial. Learning to cope during stressful situations instead of avoiding them can help manage anxiety. Getting sufficient sleep is important for managing anxiety, as is a nutritious and varied diet.
External factors that contribute to the development and worsening of anxiety disorders include trauma, extreme or chronic stress, illness-related stress, substance abuse, and environmental influences such as challenging life situations. Trauma, whether a single major trauma or multiple or ongoing traumas, can trigger or worsen anxiety disorders in both children and adults. High levels of stress from significant events or a buildup of smaller stressors play a major role in provoking anxiety disorders by activating brain areas like the amygdala that process fear. Chronic or serious health conditions cause worry related to treatment and prognosis, which can catalyse anxiety disorders in susceptible individuals. Use or misuse of drugs and alcohol, including withdrawal symptoms, can induce or exacerbate anxiety problems.
Personality traits, family history, and poor lifestyle habits like caffeine overuse and sleep deprivation can also contribute to the development and worsening of anxiety disorders. Certain personalities — such as high self-criticism, tendency toward negative thinking, introversion, and shyness — increase vulnerability to anxiety disorders. Having blood relatives with anxiety disorders suggests both inherited and environmental factors increase risk. Ongoing difficult life situations and chronic stress exposure contribute to the development and worsening of anxiety disorders. Excessive caffeine intake, blood sugar fluctuations, and sleep deprivation can worsen anxiety symptoms and contribute to jitteriness.
Recognising these triggers can aid early detection and intervention, helping to manage anxiety and improve overall wellbeing.
Science has revealed that anxiety disorders, a common mental health condition, can be alleviated through various approaches in health-and-wellness. These may include therapy methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Relaxation Therapy, and Exposure Therapy, which aim to help individuals manage their symptoms and foster mental health. Additionally, the use of certain medications, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, may be recommended by healthcare professionals to control the physical and psychological symptoms of these disorders.
