According to statistics shared by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 20% of American adults struggle with one or more anxiety disorders each year. This equates to approximately 40 million people. While anxiety is normal, it can unfortunately turn into something else. Understanding what anxiety is and how it can affect you is crucial to better dealing with its symptoms.
The more you know, the better you can deal with the problems you face – and work towards a more enjoyable life as a result. Here’s everything you need to know about how to deal with anxiety disorders and their effects.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is defined as fear or worry about the future, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. Experiencing some degree of anxiety is a normal part of life. However, when anxiety becomes so severe that it keeps us from normal daily activities or interferes with our ability to enjoy our lives, it can become an anxiety disorder. Even if your anxiety is not at the level of being diagnosed, there are many ways to change your daily habits to reduce the stress in your life.
What are the causes and risk factors for anxiety disorders? It is not easy to pinpoint the causes of anxiety, as it can arise from many sources. Generally, a diagnosis is more likely if three or more of these are present on more than half of the days for six months or longer. You may experience anxiety for shorter periods of time, with fewer symptoms, or less frequently, but it is the consistency and variety of symptoms that prompt a diagnosis.
What are the different types of anxiety disorders? Anxiety experiences are classified based on the way they manifest, including the symptoms at the time and the triggers that cause the anxiety. While generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders, it is possible to experience a combination of different types of anxiety.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder The DSM-5 defines generalized anxiety disorder as “excessive worry and anxiety (apprehensive expectation) that occurs more days than not about many events or activities (such as work or school performance) for at least six months.” This is the most broad diagnosis, and is usually indicated when a person is not more anxious about any one event than others. Instead, people who experience GAD have fears, worries, or tensions associated with many aspects of life.
Panic Disorder
While GAD can often involve low-intensity symptoms, panic disorder is associated with sudden-onset, high-intensity symptoms that combine together to mark a “panic attack” or anxiety attack. These can include intense fear, increased heart rate, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, feelings of going crazy or of things not being real. Having an isolated panic attack is not usually considered panic disorder.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
While some separation anxiety is expected at certain ages and stages of life, a separation anxiety disorder may be present if a person feels extreme fear when outside their home or away from their close relationships, such as parents or other family members. People with separation anxiety often worry that something bad might happen when they are separated from those they are attached to.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder involves an excessive or limiting amount of stress and fear in social situations. People with social anxiety often worry excessively about being observed or judged by others. For some people, social anxiety can interfere with daily tasks, going to work or school, and socializing with others.
Phobia Disorder
Phobias are intense fears that go beyond a normal dislike or anxiety about something. Phobias become disorders when they involve triggers that cannot be avoided while participating in everyday life. The trigger must cause such intense fear that the person either cannot function normally in its presence or must avoid it at all costs, even if it causes great difficulty and discomfort.