Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear that can be overwhelming. It is your body's natural response to stress, but it can become debilitating when it interferes with daily life. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, racing heart rate, and difficulty breathing. It can also impact your mood–irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping are common with anxiety.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
Because everyday factors like an upcoming exam or work presentation can trigger it, everyone experiences anxiety occasionally. But for some, it becomes a chronic condition that must be managed.
An anxiety disorder is longer-term and can cause significant distress. It typically develops due to factors like a buildup of stress due to ongoing stressful life situations, trauma, or other mental health concerns such as depression. Risk factors like genetics and personality types make one more prone to developing an anxiety disorder.
Knowing what's at the root of your anxiety is one important part of managing this condition and living a healthy, productive life.
Getting Help for Anxiety
There are many ways to manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety. One of the most effective treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It helps people recognize patterns of thought that contribute to their anxieties and develop coping strategies to manage them better.
CBT focuses on teaching skills like relaxation techniques and mindfulness so that people can better control their feelings of worry or fear when they arise. Other treatments include medication such as anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants and lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a balanced diet.
If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional so they can help you get the treatment you need.