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Everyone feels anxious sometimes. When the worry does not go away and starts shaping daily life, it may be an anxiety disorder, and there are treatments that help.
Maybe you notice it most at night. Your body is tired, but your mind keeps running through the same worries: work, money, your health, something you said earlier. Or maybe it shows up during the day as a tight chest, a racing heart, or a strong pull to skip plans you used to look forward to. You might tell yourself you are just a worrier. For some people, though, it is more than that.
If any of this sounds familiar, it can help to understand what is going on. This post covers how everyday worry differs from an anxiety disorder, the main types, the signs to watch for, and what treatment looks like. If you are dealing with a specific pattern, like panic attacks or constant worry about your health, we have posts on those too.
Why an anxiety disorder is more than everyday worry
Anxiety on its own is not a problem. The National Institute of Mental Health puts it simply: feeling anxious is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things like health, money, school, work, or family. A bit of worry before a big meeting or a medical test is common, and it usually passes once the moment is over.
An anxiety disorder works differently. According to NIMH, for people with these disorders, anxiety does not go away, is felt in many situations, and can get worse over time. The symptoms can get in the way of daily life, including work, school, and relationships.
So the question is not whether you feel anxious. Most people do. It is whether the anxiety sticks around, shows up in many parts of your life, and makes it harder to do the things you need and want to do.
How common anxiety disorders are
Anxiety disorders are common. NIMH estimates that about 19.1% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the past year, and about 31.1% will have one at some point in their lives. Past-year rates were higher among women (23.4%) than men (14.3%). These figures come from a national survey conducted in 2001 to 2003, which is the data NIMH still reports today.
The main types of anxiety disorders
NIMH groups anxiety disorders into a few main types. Each has its own pattern.
1. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
People with GAD feel extremely worried or nervous about everyday things, more often or more intensely than the situation calls for. According to NIMH, a diagnosis means finding it hard to control worry on most days for at least six months, along with other symptoms. Common signs include:
- Worry that is hard to control
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Trouble concentrating or sleeping
- Feeling tired, or having headaches or muscle aches
Our post on generalized anxiety disorder goes into more detail.
2. Panic disorder
People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks, which NIMH describes as a sudden wave of fear or discomfort, or a sense of losing control. During an attack, a person may notice:
- A pounding or racing heart
- Sweating, chills, or trembling
- Trouble breathing, weakness, or dizziness
- Chest pain, stomach pain, or nausea
According to NIMH, people with panic disorder may also feel intense worry about when the next attack will happen, and fear or avoid places where attacks have happened before.
3. Social anxiety disorder
A person with social anxiety disorder feels anxiety or fear in situations where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others. NIMH notes that it can lead a person to:
- Blush, sweat, or tremble
- Have a rapid heart rate
- Find it hard to make eye contact
- Find it hard to talk with people they do not know
You can read more in our post on social anxiety disorder.
4. Phobia-related disorders
This group includes specific phobias and agoraphobia.
- Specific phobia, as NIMH defines it, is an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. See our post on specific phobias.
- Agoraphobia involves intense fear and anxiety of any place or situation where escape might be difficult. It can lead people to avoid things like being alone outside the home, traveling by car, bus, or plane, or being in a crowd. See our post on agoraphobia.
You may have seen OCD and PTSD listed as anxiety disorders in older articles. NIMH does not include them in its list of anxiety disorders, and covers each as its own condition. We have separate posts on OCD and PTSD.
A few questions to ask yourself
This is not a test, and it cannot tell you whether you have an anxiety disorder. But these questions can help you notice patterns worth talking about with a professional:
- Does the worry feel bigger than the situation, even when you can tell it is?
- Does it show up in many areas of your life, not just one?
- Have you started avoiding things because of how anxious they make you feel?
- Has it been going on for months, rather than days or weeks?
If several of these ring true, it may be worth a conversation with a provider.
How anxiety disorders are treated
There are several treatment options. For GAD and social anxiety disorder, NIMH notes that with the right treatment and support, people can manage their anxiety and improve their quality of life.
Therapy is one main option. NIMH describes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a research-supported therapy commonly used for GAD, and calls it the “gold standard” psychotherapy for panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. According to NIMH, CBT helps people recognize harmful thinking patterns and change self-defeating behavior patterns, so they feel less anxious and worried. You can read more in our post on cognitive behavioral therapy.
NIMH also names exposure therapy, a CBT method that focuses on gradually confronting the fears underneath the anxiety, so a person can do things they have been avoiding. And it describes acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which encourages accepting thoughts without judgment and taking part in meaningful activities.
Medication can help too. Depending on the type of anxiety, the options NIMH lists include antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs, buspirone, benzodiazepines, and, for social anxiety disorder, beta-blockers, which can help control physical symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, and tremors. NIMH notes that some people build up a tolerance to benzodiazepines or become dependent on them, so a provider may prescribe them only for brief periods.
Healthy habits can help too. NIMH notes that a healthy lifestyle can help combat anxiety, although this alone cannot replace treatment. Stress management techniques such as exercise, mindfulness, and meditation can also reduce anxiety symptoms and add to the effects of therapy.
When anxiety needs more support
It may be time to reach out if:
- Worry or fear has been sticking around for weeks or months
- You are avoiding places, people, or activities because of anxiety
- Anxiety is getting in the way of work, school, or relationships
- You are using alcohol or other substances to calm down
- You feel hopeless, or have thoughts of hurting yourself
If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel unsafe, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time of day. In an emergency, call 911.
Therapy for anxiety at Panahi Counseling
Anxiety can make reaching out feel like one more thing to worry about. It may help to know the first step can be small, and you do not need to have everything figured out before you start.
At Panahi Counseling, our therapists work with adults across Illinois who are living with anxiety, whether it shows up as constant worry, panic attacks, or fear in social situations. Our anxiety therapy draws on approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, and the work moves at your pace. You can read about our therapists to see who might be a good fit.
If you live in Illinois and are looking for a therapist, we offer in-person sessions in Wheaton and online therapy across the state. You are welcome to start with a free 15-minute consultation. It is a low-pressure way to ask questions and see whether it feels right.
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When anxiety is rooted in past experiences, EMDR therapy can target the memories feeding it rather than just managing the symptoms. Our Wheaton therapists can help you find out if EMDR is right for you.
