What is Anxiety?
What is Anxiety?Anxiety is a normal feeling of worry and nervousness in stressful situations. An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition different from occasional anxiety. People with anxiety disorders have extreme worry and distress about ordinary situations which also involves physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, shaking, and sweating.
Everyone feels anxious or nervous sometimes, but people with an anxiety disorder experience excessive response, and symptoms affect their ability to function. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders, but effective treatments are available.
Anxiety vs. anxiety disorder
Anxiety is a normal reaction to events and situations in people's lives. Anxiety helps people prepare their bodies and mind for dangerous situations and threats so that they can take action. It also helps prepare for less extreme conditions like a test at school.
Anxiety disorders are mental conditions in which a response to a situation is out of proportion and becomes overwhelming and uncontrollable, interfering with people's daily lives.
What is an anxiety attack?
An anxiety attack is an episode of emotional symptoms, including worry, fear, and distress, including physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating. A specific situation typically triggers an anxiety attack.
Panic attack vs. anxiety attack
Panic and anxiety attacks may cause similar emotional symptoms. These include a sense of distress, fear, and worry, and physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, and dry mouth. However, panic attacks often start suddenly without a specific trigger and tend to be more severe. A particular situation usually triggers an anxiety attack.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
TypesThere are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Panic disorder. Individuals with panic disorder have sudden episodes, called panic attacks, of intense fear and feeling of terror, with physical symptoms that may include chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.
- Generalized anxiety disorder is chronic anxiety. It consists of constant worry about ordinary matters such as work, health, and money and is not provoked by specific events. Those with a generalized anxiety disorder may feel restless, irritable, and have difficulty concentrating.
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is a chronic mental health condition that causes individuals to feel extremely nervous around others. It can affect everyday activities such as school, work, and relationships.
- Specific phobias are irrational fear of situations, spaces, or objects that are not typically dangerous. Common specific phobias include fear of:
- Animals such as dogs, cats, snakes, or insects
- The physical environment such as heights, waterbodies, or thunders
- Traveling or transportation such as planes, underground rail, elevators, and escalators
- Medical procedures and situations such as injections, dentists, a doctor's office, blood, or vomit
- Other specific phobias include certain foods, objects, or fictional characters
- Agoraphobia is a fear of being trapped in situations or places that might be difficult to escape, such as public transportation, which may cause people to avoid leaving their homes to avoid being trapped.
- Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder related to separation from parents. Children with separation anxiety constantly fear separation, causing difficulty in functioning and attending school.
What are the Different Levels of Anxiety?
LevelsAnxiety levels may be classified into four categories according to the level of symptoms. The categories are:
- Mild anxiety causes emotional and social nervousness in children and adults who may appear shy.
- Moderate anxiety. Individuals with moderate anxiety are often unable to control their worrying but may still manage to function normally.
- Severe anxiety. Symptoms are disruptive and prevent them from functioning normally.
- Panic disorder. Those with panic disorder experience recurring panic attacks with extreme emotional and physical symptoms that can be debilitating.
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
SymptomsCertain emotional and physical symptoms are associated with anxiety, including:
Emotional symptoms of anxiety
- Worrying, feeling distressed, and restless
- Feeling a great and unreasonable fear that is not related to a specific situation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty functioning at home and work
Physical symptoms of anxiety
- Accelerated heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Feeling weak or tired
- abdominal pain and nausea
What Causes Anxiety?
CausesThe causes of anxiety or an anxiety disorder are not known. Inherited (genetic) factors and certain life experiences may be involved.
Other causes include:
- Medical causes. Anxiety and related symptoms may be associated with a medical condition such as hyperthyroidism, which may require medical intervention.
- Medications. Anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications and should be discussed with a doctor.
Risk Factors for Anxiety
Risk-FactorsCertain factors can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. These may include:
- Mental health disorders. Those with certain mental health disorders, such as depression, may also develop an anxiety disorder.
- Hereditary factors. Anxiety disorders can run in families.
- Drugs or alcohol use can cause an anxiety disorder or worsen it.
- Extended stressful situations. Some people can develop anxiety disorder after experiencing serious medical conditions for a long time, ongoing personal and family issues, financial worries, or other stressful situations.
Complications
ComplicationsAnxiety or an anxiety disorder can interfere with people's lives and can make other mental and physical conditions worse, including:
- Depression
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Social isolation
How to Prevent Anxiety
PreventionThere are no known ways to prevent anxiety, but the impact of symptoms can be reduced by taking certain measures, including:
- Seeking medical and professional help. Medication treatment, psychotherapy, and counseling can help relieve symptoms.
- Avoiding alcohol and drug use. Excessive alcohol drinking and drug use can make anxiety symptoms worse. Quitting alcohol and drug use can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Healthy lifestyle. Keeping involved and engaged in activities that a person with anxiety enjoys may help relieve symptoms. Examples include social interactions, physical exercise, spending time outdoors, music, art, caring for a pet, and more.
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Anxiety Care
The Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian is committed to addressing anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults. Learn more about treatment programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of adolescents and young adults. Your primary care provider in one of our locations can refer you to a NewYork-Presbyterian therapist in your area. Contact us to make an appointment.