Anxiety is extremely common. In the U.S. about 19% of adults experience an anxiety disorder in a given year, and 31.1% experience anxiety at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition globally. In the U.S. 23.4% of women vs. 14.3% of men experienced anxiety in the past year.
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, or uneasiness. It is a normal human response to stress, but when it becomes persistent, overwhelming, or disproportionate to the situation, it may be part of an anxiety disorder.
Common physical symptoms
Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath or hyperventilation, sweating or trembling, muscle tension, fatigue, nausea or digestive issues, trouble sleeping.
Common Mental or Emotional symptoms
Persistent worry, sense of impending danger, difficulty concentrating, feeling on edge or irritable, intrusive or obsessive thoughts
Common Behavioral symptoms
Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, restlessness, difficulty controlling worry
When symptoms are perceived as so severe that they impact a person’s daily functioning and well being, they may be indicative of an Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety Disorders common to therapy
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia, Separation Anxiety Disorder
Research points to a combination of factors that contribute to anxiety: Genetics, Brain chemistry (serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA), personality traits, stressful or traumatic experiences, medical conditions, substance use or withdrawal
It may be helpful to reach out for therapy, which may be impactful in learning mindfulness techniques and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to reduce or manage anxiety.