Anxiety is one of the most common mental health struggles globally, and for some people, it goes beyond being nervous or stressed. There is a whole class of anxiety disorders.

But at what point does anxiety become disordered? What even is anxiety? Let's explore.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety itself is often described as a pervasive feeling of dread, fear, or uneasiness. This may be in response to a variety of things, from a first date or a hard test to fear of being laid off at work or struggling to make a tough decision — the reasons are many.

Symptoms associated with feelings of anxiety commonly include:

● Sweating

● Increased heart rate

● Chest tightness

● Muscle tension

Biologically, anxiety can help us cope with these challenges in the short-term. It can help us focus or provide a boost of energy. However, the problem arises when it surpasses the short-term and increases in intensity to the point that it's overwhelming.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are clinically recognized conditions where anxiety or fear does not go away and affects someones quality of life or their ability to perform daily functions.

Some of the most common anxiety disorders include:

● Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

● Panic disorder

● Social anxiety disorder

● Separation anxiety disorder

● Phobias

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also share many commonalities with the aforementioned anxiety disorders.

Why Do Anxiety Disorders Develop?

Anxiety disorders can develop for a multitude of reasons, whether it's environmental, genetic, developmental, psychological, or a combination. A person may possess certain personality traits that predispose them to an anxiety disorder, such as extreme shyness. Other reasons can include trauma, a family history of mental disorders, and even some physical conditions like thyroid dysfunction.

How Is Anxiety Treated?

Anxiety can be difficult to deal with. The good news is, there are effective treatment methods out there that can help. The goal of anxiety treatment is to regain a sense of control over your thoughts and feelings while learning effective ways to manage your anxiety long-term.

Here are some common ways to approach anxiety treatment:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a talk-based therapy centering around unhelpful ways of thinking and unhelpful learned behaviors. Treatment focuses on gaining a better understanding of the reasons and feelings behind these unhelpful patterns, reevaluating distortions in thinking, using problem-solving skills to cope, and building a sense of self-confidence. While it's important to look at a person's past for context, CBT primarily focuses on the now, teaching people to move forward with healthy coping mechanisms.

Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is another type of talk therapy. It has similar foundations to CBT, however it focuses more heavily on emotional regulation. DBT teaches distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal conflict management skills. There is a balance between acceptance and reassurance in one's current state and the benefits of change.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection. Mental health conditions go beyond the brain — they affect the rest of our bodies too. This modality pairs talk therapy with physical techniques to help release the effects that get stored in the body, while also addressing the mental aspect.

Narrative Therapy

As the name implies, narrative therapy focuses on stories. With this method, you put together your own narrative story, then observe it. From there you deconstruct it to gain clarity and establish openness to multiple outcomes. It helps people be at peace with a changing personal story.

Medication

Of course, medication is often used to treat anxiety. It's not always required, but can be very effective when paired with one of the aforementioned therapies.

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If anxiety is holding you back, don't hesitate to reach out to learn more about anxiety therapy. Together, we can reframe your mindset so you can move forward confidently.