Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Anxiety is a feeling that makes you worry, feel the tension in your body, bite your lip, and rub your palms.

The anxiety that is too constant or too intense can make a person feel anxious, distracted, stressed, and alert.

Excessive worry and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. They affect people of all ages - adults, children, and adolescents. There are many different types of anxiety disorders with varying symptoms.

Symptoms of excessive worry and anxiety may come on suddenly, or they may gradually develop and linger until the person becomes aware that something is wrong. Sometimes worry creates a feeling of doom and foreboding that seems to come out of nowhere.

Symptoms of anxiety

Since there are different types of anxiety, there are several symptoms, but the following are the most common:

    • Dizziness

    • Attention decreases

    • An uncontrollable feeling of anxiety

    • Irritability

    • Difficulty concentrating

    • Loss of sexual interest

    • Headaches

    • Loss of appetite

    • Muscle tension

    • Labored breathing

    • Heavy chest sensations

    • Sweating

    • Difficulty sleeping

    • Poor performance

    • Diarrhea

    • Difficulty concentrating

What Causes Anxiety Disorders

Many experts don't know precisely what triggers excessive worry and anxiety. Several things seem to be at play, including genetics, brain biochemistry, overreaction, stressful life circumstances, and scientific behavior.

Someone with a family member who has an anxiety disorder is more likely to develop one. This could be due to genes that can influence brain chemistry and the regulation of chemicals called neurotransmitters. 

Growing up in a family where others are afraid or worried can teach a child to view the world as dangerous. Likewise, someone who grows up in an environment that is truly dangerous (if there is domestic or community violence, for example) can learn to fear or expect the worst.

Although all of us suffer from normal anxiety in certain situations, most people, even those who experience traumatic situations, do not develop anxiety disorders.

And people who develop anxiety disorders can get relief with the right treatment and care. They can learn to manage anxiety and feel more relaxed and calm.

How are anxiety disorders treated?

Mental professionals or therapists can treat excessive worry and anxiety. A therapist can look at the symptoms the person is experiencing, diagnose a specific anxiety disorder, and create a plan to help the person get relief.

A specific type of therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used. In this therapy, the individual learns new ways to think and act in situations that can cause anxiety and manage stress and cope.

The therapist provides support and guidance and teaches new reference skills such as relaxation techniques or breathing exercises. Sometimes, medications are used as part of the treatment for anxiety.

If any of your near and dear ones have been showing signs of excessive worry and anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, check out our online course: Letting Go of Worry, to further overcome these worries and fears.