Many people experience anxiety at some point in their lives, but not everyone has anxiety that is frequent or persistent.
The difference between the two lies in whether the anxiety is proportionate to the situation. In other words, whether it makes sense to be worried or afraid of something or not.
For example, it is understandable for people to worry about their health if they have unexplained symptoms. But if a person has no signs of illness and they still find themselves worrying about their health often, this could be a source of unnecessary distress.
A common cause of persistent anxiety is anxiety disorders. This is the most common type of mental health condition in the United States, affecting around 19% of adults.
While anxiety disorders vary in their symptoms, they share some similarities. They often cause:
- feelings of dread or tension
- jumpiness
- restlessness
- alertness to signs of a threat
Anxiety also causes physical symptoms, such as:
- an increased heart rate
- faster breathing
- sweating
- shakiness
- difficulty sleeping
If someone is facing an imminent threat, these symptoms can be typical or even helpful. They are part of the “fight, flight, or freeze” response, which is the body’s way of trying to anticipate and escape danger.
But over prolonged or recurring periods of time, anxiety is not helpful. It can have a negative effect on both mental and physical health.
When anxiety becomes severe, people can also experience anxiety attacks. This involves feeling intense dread or panic and hyperventilation that usually lasts between 5 to 20 minutes before subsiding.
While anxiety is common, it is important to understand that anxiety disorders are not typical. They can be difficult to cope with and affect many areas of life.
But anxiety is also treatable. With talk therapies, people can often learn healthy coping skills and may be able to identify specific beliefs or thinking patterns that are contributing to their anxiety. Over time, they may be able to address these.
There are also medications for anxiety. These
The best type of therapy and the best type of medication can depend on which condition a person has and their specific needs. For this reason, anyone who is able to should consider seeking support for their anxiety from a doctor or mental health professional.
