Anxiety Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Types

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Chronic anxiety and worry when there is little or no specific reason.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Recurrent thoughts or obsessions, often with repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD perform rituals such as counting or cleaning to relieve their obsessive thoughts temporarily. These behaviors can cause those with OCD to experience significant problems in their daily life.

Panic disorder

Unexpected episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety triggered by traumatic events such as violent assaults, natural disasters, accidents, or military combat.

Social phobia (or social anxiety disorder)

An intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This can happen in social situations, such as when speaking or eating in front of others.

Specific Phobias

Fear related to aspects of everyday life such as:

• Injections
• Specific animals (e.g., spiders, snakes, or dogs)
• Heights

Agoraphobia

In its most severe form, individuals with agoraphobia can become housebound as it involves an intense fear of open spaces and crowds.

Separation anxiety disorder

Often viewed as related to children and adolescents, adults can also experience a separation anxiety disorder. An individual will become anxious when away from loved ones as they worry about bad things happening to those people.

Trauma

If someone experiences a traumatic event such as a violent incident or accident, they may become anxious about the incident happening again.

Childhood trauma

Studies have shown that those that experience trauma as a child, including mental and physical abuse, are at a greater risk of developing anxiety as an adult.

Substance abuse

Rates of comorbid substance use and anxiety disorders are high, meaning that it is common for individuals to have both.

Medication

Some medications for other health problems can cause anxiety. Examples include medication for thyroid problems, asthma, and ADHD.

Genetics

Studies have shown that a person can inherit a genetic predisposition to developing an anxiety disorder.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Hyperventilation
• Weakness or tiredness
• Muscle tension

Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

• Feeling restless or nervous
• Lack of concentration
• Having trouble sleeping
• A sense of impending doom
• Avoiding things that trigger anxiety
• Unable to control thoughts or actions related to worries

Cardiovascular health

Anxiety can cause high blood pressure and an increased heart rate that, over time, can lead to heart disease and heart attacks. There is also evidence that anxiety can develop after cardiac events.

Immune system

Researchers believe there is a link between the immune system and anxiety disorders. When you feel anxious and stressed, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. More cortisol can increase inflammation in the body, which can overwork your immune system and cause it to be ineffective.

Work and school performance

When someone has anxiety and struggles to focus on anything else, their concentration and motivation levels for work or school decline. Studies have shown that anxiety and depression are associated with impaired work performance and safety.

Experiencing anxiety attacks or panic attacks

Anxiety attacks usually build up gradually and last for an extended time. Panic attacks tend to be more sudden but then subside quickly. These attacks can be debilitating, with people experiencing a sense of doom, shortness of breath, and nausea. Sufferers try to avoid situations that may cause an attack and sometimes require medical attention. Panic attacks have the highest number of medical visits of all anxiety disorders.

Developing other medical conditions

Anxiety disorders have been linked to the onset of health conditions, including other mental disorders. For example, a 2020 study found that participants with anxiety were 2.8 times more likely to suffer depression.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT identifies how a person’s thoughts and feelings influence behavior. Patients are encouraged to change their thought patterns to ones that will positively impact their life. CBT is one of the most well-researched and efficacious treatments for anxiety disorders.

Diagnostic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT focuses on people who react emotionally to situations and make potentially unhealthy decisions based on these emotions.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR has proven effective in treating anxiety. Patients are encouraged to recall and process traumatic memories while moving their eyes in a specific way.

Somatic Therapy

This type of therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and the body. Patients are encouraged to identify their physical responses to recalled trauma and develop ways to regulate their emotions in the future.

Exposure therapy

Patients are exposed to, or are encouraged to face, stressful situations and develop new coping methods.

Interpersonal Therapy

This type of therapy can be particularly beneficial if a person’s anxiety results from or causes difficulties in interpersonal relationships or social situations.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (or Benzos) are sedatives that relax the body and mind. They must only be taken as a medical professional prescribes, as dependence may otherwise develop. Side effects include drowsiness, confusion, and headaches, and examples include:

• lorazepam (Ativan)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• diazepam (Valium)

Antidepressants

These medications, usually used to treat depression, can also be used for anxiety. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a type of antidepressant that is often prescribed as they increase levels of serotonin that affect mood, sleep, and memory. The side effects of SSRIs include nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Examples include:

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are often used to treat heart conditions but can also relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety. A beta-blocker such as propranolol can be prescribed to help reduce performance anxiety symptoms such as sweating and shaking. Side effects may include fatigue, insomnia, and shortness of breath.

Does the Treatment Center Specialize in Anxiety Issues?

There are many benefits to attending a program specifically designed for those with anxiety. The mental health professionals on site will be experienced in treating anxiety and will be up-to-date with the most recent developments and treatment options. You will also receive peer support from other people in a similar situation. Group therapy can lead to significant reductions in levels of anxiety-related dysfunction.

Will I Need To Stay at the Treatment Facility?

Inpatient programs are generally more intense than outpatient programs, requiring you to live at the treatment center and attend regular therapy sessions. These programs are suitable if you have severe anxiety, need to be monitored while taking medication, or have a co-occurring substance use disorder. During outpatient programs, patients attend the center several times weekly for scheduled individual or group sessions and medication management.

Will My Insurance Be Accepted?

Healthcare insurance often covers anxiety treatment but may not be accepted by all facilities. Other payment plans may be available, and each treatment center will provide information about available options.

If you or a loved one suffers from anxiety, rest assured that help is available. Through treatment, you can work to develop new thought processes and coping methods for everyday challenges. Overcoming anxiety and creating a happier and more grounded life is possible with effective treatment and support.