Anxiety

Table of Contents

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country’s $148 billion total mental health bill.

 

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a general feature of excessive fear (i.e. emotional response to perceived or real threat) and/or anxiety (i.e. worrying about a future threat) and can have negative behavioral and emotional consequences. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans.

 

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Anxiety can be a normal and healthy emotion when it motivates us to take action, but it can also become overwhelming and debilitating. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults aged 18 and older.

While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, they all share one common feature: excessive or unreasonable fear or worry. This can cause physical symptoms like:

  • Sweating
  • Rapid heart rate 
  • Dizziness
  • Apprehension
  • Dread
  • Restlessness

People with anxiety disorders may avoid certain situations or things that trigger their anxiety, which can interfere with their daily lives.  There is no single cause of anxiety disorders, but there are some risk factors that may play a role. These include genetics, brain chemistry, personality traits, stress levels, and life events. Treatment for anxiety usually includes medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

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pexels shvets production 7203956 scaled

What Causes Anxiety ?

Anxiety is a normal emotion that we all experience at one point or another. It’s usually caused by stressors in our lives, like an upcoming exam or a job interview. However, for some people, anxiety can be much more than just a temporary feeling of unease. It can be a chronic condition that significantly impairs their quality of life.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults (18% of the population). And unfortunately, these disorders are on the rise, with the prevalence increasing by about 20% since the early 2000s.

So what’s behind this surge in anxiety? While there isn’t any one answer, experts suggest that a combination of factors may be to blame. These include:

  • With constant access to news and social media, we’re constantly bombarded with images and stories of tragedy and disaster. This can increase our anxiety levels and make us feel like the world is a far scarier place than it actually is.
  • Increased pressure: In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented society, there’s more pressure than ever to succeed. This can lead to chronic stress and anxiety for both adults and children alike.
  • Economic insecurity: In today’s uncertain economic climate, many people are worried about their jobs, finances, and future prospects. This can trigger fears and anxieties that

Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting millions of adults.  That’s a huge percentage of the population! Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only a quarter of those suffering receive treatment.  Anxiety is not to be taken lightly, it’s so easy Anxiety disorders are characterized by a number of symptoms, including:

  • Persistent and excessive worry
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Muscle Tension
  • Sleep Disturbances

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help. Anxiety disorders can be debilitating, but there is hope. With treatment, anxiety disorders can be managed and people can live healthy and productive lives.

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Types Of Anxiety

Everyone has had some form of anxiety, but it is to be taken seriously when it is prolonged and irrational.  Below is a list of the different types:

People with GAD experience persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about everyday situations, often without any apparent reason. This can lead to difficulty concentrating, feeling restless or irritable, having trouble sleeping, and feeling muscle tension or headaches.

While the exact cause of GAD is unknown, it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research suggests that people with GAD have a higher than normal level of activity in certain areas of the brain involved in processing emotions and stress responses. Anxiety disorders typically develop during childhood or adolescence, but can also start later in life.  However, untreated GAD can lead to serious problems such as job loss, financial problems, relationship difficulties, missed opportunities, and even substance abuse. If you think you might have GAD, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about diagnosis and treatment options.

This type of anxiety disorder can cause regular and intense episodes of fear and panic. People with panic disorder may also have physical symptoms such as:

  • chest pain 
  • heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Shaking

 

These episodes can be very frightening and can sometimes lead to avoidance behaviors such as avoiding certain places or situations. treatment for panic disorder often includes medication and/or therapy.

This is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. You may feel worthlessness, hopelessness or be afraid of losing control. Agoraphobia often develops after having had one or more panic attacks. It can cause severe anxiety and may make it hard for you to go about your daily activities. 

Agoraphobia is not necessarily a fear of public places or social situations.  Agoraphobia may cause you to avoid public places, leaving your home or being in situations where you can’t escape or get help if you have a panic attack.  Agoraphobia may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  People with agoraphobia may have a family history of anxiety disorders or panic attacks.  They may also have experienced a traumatic event, such as a car accident, that has led to a fear of being in situations where they

People with SAD often feel very anxious and uncomfortable in social situations, and as a result, they may avoid them altogether.  This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or even go to work or school. Symptoms of SAD can include things like:

  • Feeling very self-conscious
  • Worrying about what others will think of you
  • Feeling nauseous
  • Dizzy in social situations
  • Having a hard time speaking or concentrating. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.  They can help you figure out if you have SAD and develop a treatment plan that can help you manage your symptoms.

How Can Anxiety Be Treated?

Anxiety can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms: 

  • including fatigue,
  • muscle tension,
  • headaches,
  • difficulty sleeping,
  • and irritability.

 

It can also lead to problems with concentration and memory, as well as an increased risk of developing other mental health conditions such as depression. If left untreated, anxiety can have a negative impact on every aspect of a person’s life.  Thankfully, there are many effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. A combination of medication and therapy is often the most successful approach, but it is important to work with a mental health professional to find the treatment plan that is right for you. With the right help, it is possible to manage your anxiety and live a happy and fulfilling life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can be used to treat trauma. CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps people to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviors that may be contributing to their distress.  CBT is an effective trauma treatment, helping people to reduce their symptoms and improve their functioning.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions and improve their relationships with others. One of the main goals of DBT is to help individuals manage their emotions in a healthy way, which can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma. By teaching skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance, DBT can help individuals cope with difficult emotions and experiences related to trauma.

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Conclusion

If you or a loved one are currently struggling with Anxiety and you have noticed it is crippling and taking a toll on your day to day life, it is time to reach out for help.  Embrace Treatment Center offers a full continuum of care from Inpatient Rehabilitation for Substance Abuse to Mental Health Services.  We provide the necessary care in addition with activities to keep clients engaged and motivated.  Here at Embrace Treatment Center, our team of specialists ensure each client has the support and resources they need to start their journey to recovery.  Reach out ​​HERE for more information and/or resources today.