Understanding anxiety

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).

These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings.

Symptoms

Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
Having difficulty controlling worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

Several types of anxiety disorders exist:

Agoraphobia: A type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition: Includes symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem.
Generalized anxiety disorder: Involves persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues.

When to see a doctor

If you experience the following, it's important to see a doctor:

You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships, or other parts of your life
Your fear, worry, or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to control
You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health concerns along with anxiety
You think your anxiety could be linked to a physical health problem
You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors — if this is the case, seek emergency treatment immediately

Causes

The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety. Inherited traits also can be a factor.

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:

Trauma: Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder at some point in life.
Stress due to an illness: Having a health condition or serious illness can cause significant worry about issues such as your treatment and your future.

Complications

Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as:

Depression (which often occurs with an anxiety disorder) or other mental health disorders
Substance misuse
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Digestive or bowel problems
Headaches and chronic pain
Social isolation
Problems functioning at school or work
Poor quality of life
Suicide

Prevention

There's no way to predict for certain what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you're anxious:

Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
Stay active. Participate in activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good about yourself. Enjoy social interaction and caring relationships, which can lessen your worries.
Avoid alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and drug use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you're addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. If you can't quit on your own, see your doctor or find a support group to help you.

TED Talks

How to stop feeling anxious about anxiety | Tim Box

Tim Box is a therapist, author, and anxiety expert who, in his youth, experienced debilitating levels of social anxiety. Over the last 10 years, he has dedicated his time to helping people understand and control their anxiety responses. In this talk, Tim explains why we need to think about anxiety differently, how the help offered can sometimes worsen the problem, and how a simple shift in thinking about our emotional responses can alleviate anxiety. Tim is a remedial hypnotist and mind management expert, assisting people in regaining control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
How to cope with anxiety | Olivia Remes

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, affecting 1 out of 14 people worldwide. In her talk, Olivia Remes from the University of Cambridge shares her vision on anxiety and unravels ways to treat and manage this health disorder. Emphasizing the importance of harnessing strength in ourselves and modifying problem-coping mechanisms, she challenges traditional treatments and explores alternative approaches.
Overcoming Anxiety | Jonas Kolker

Jonas Kolker's talk explores the concept of "embracing the suck" and turning a diagnosis into activism, empowerment, and coaching. As a 15-year-old in the ninth grade, Jonas shares his experiences dealing with severe anxiety attacks triggered by his school environment. He discusses the techniques and strategies he learned to manage and control his anxiety, providing insights into the workings of the brain and common fears we all face daily.