Anxiety Disorders: What you Need to Know

BY: Neighbors’ Consejo |

Anxiety is everywhere and yet, no one wants to talk about it. It’s the silent weight on your chest, the racing thoughts at 2 a.m., the fear that won’t go away. One in every five people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, and still, it remains one of the most misunderstood conditions. Why the silence? Stigma, confusion, and fear. But the truth is: anxiety is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. In this article, we’re breaking down what anxiety really is, how it affects people, and why starting the conversation can make all the difference.

“Feeling anxious is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, school, work, or family. But anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worry or fear. For people with these disorders, anxiety does not go away, is felt in many situations, and can get worse over time. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, various phobia-related disorders.” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).

According to the Mayo Clinic (2018), anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. That is why it is important to mention some of its medical causes: heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism, respiratory disorders, drug misuse, chronic pain, withdrawal from alcohol, rare tumors. What about its complications? Depression, substance misuse, trouble sleeping, digestive or bowel problems, headaches and chronic pain, social isolation, problems functioning at school or work, poor quality of life, suicide.

As mentioned earlier, there are several types of anxiety disorders. Let’s explore them in more detail:

Generalized anxiety disorder: “It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, specifically if your life is stressful. However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder”. (Mayo Clinic, n. d.).
Panic disorder: “People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are characterized by a sudden wave of fear or discomfort or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack with develop panic disorder. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): “It’s normal to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, going on a date or giving a presentation may cause that feeling of butterflies in your stomach. But in social anxiety disorder, also called phobia, everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment because you fear being scrutinized or judged negatively by others.” (Mayo Clinic, n. d.).
Phobias: “A phobia is when something causes you to feel fear or anxiety that’s so severe it consistently and overwhelmingly disrupts your life. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder, and there’s one diagnosis for almost all of them: specific phobia. Only one phobia, agoraphobia, is a specific diagnosis.

According to UC Davis Health (2024), anxiety becomes a concern when it’s constant and affects a person’s ability to function normally. Some of their symptoms are:

Uneasy feeling, panic, or danger
Trouble sleeping
Unable to stay calm and still
Cold, sweaty or tingling hands or feet
Trouble breathing (both shortness of breath and breathing faster than normal)
Increased heart rate
Dry mouth
Dizziness or feeling weak
Can’t stop thinking about a problem
Unable to concentrate
Strong fear of objects or places

We must mention too the anxiety risk factors. Mayo Clinic (n.d.)., affirms that some of they are:

Trauma
Stress due to an illness
Stress buildup
Personality
Other mental health disorders
Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
Drugs or alcohol

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed? “They’ll start with a medical evaluation. They’ll do a physical exam and ask about your medical history, any medications you are taking and if any of your family members have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. There aren’t any blood tests or imaging scans that can diagnose anxiety disorders. But your provider may run some of these tests to rule out physical conditions that may be causing your symptoms, like hyperthyroidism, for example. If there isn’t an underlying physical cause, your provider may refer you to a mental health professional. (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.).

Understanding the roots, symptoms, and types of anxiety disorders is essential, but it’s only part of the conversation. Once a person receives a diagnosis, the next and most hopeful step is exploring treatment options. While anxiety can feel overwhelming, it is not a life sentence. With proper care, many people find significant relief and regain control over their lives. So, what does treatment look like? From therapy to medication and lifestyle changes, let’s take a closer look at what helps.

Mayo Clinic (n.d.)., affirms, “the two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications. You may benefit most from a combination of the two. It may take some trial and error to discover which treatments work best for you.

Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally, a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching your specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities you’ve avoided because of anxiety.

Medications

Certain antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
An anti-anxiety medication called buspirone may be prescribed.
Sedatives, also called benzodiazepines, or beta blockers.

Living with anxiety can be exhausting, but you don’t have to face it alone. Anxiety disorders are real, common, and most importantly treatable. Reaching out is a powerful first step toward healing. Whether you’re struggling with yourself or are supporting someone who is, know that help is available and hope is real. At Neighbors’, we are here to listen, support, and guide you toward the care you deserve. You are not broken. You are not alone. And with the right help, a calmer, more fulfilling life is possible. Let’s walk this path together, one step at a time.

References

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Anxiety. US. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Generalized anxiety disorder: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20360803

National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms#:~:text=What%20is%20panic%20disorder%3F,attack%20will%20develop%20panic%20disorder.

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Phobias. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24757-phobias

UC Davis Health. (2024, August). Symptoms of anxiety and how to know when you need help. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/symptoms-of-anxiety-and-how-to-know-when-you-need-help/2024/08

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961#:~:text=These%20factors%20may%20increase%20your,also%20can%20develop%20anxiety%20disorders.

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders