USF-COM Department of Family Medicine

Patient Education Information on... Index of Patient Education Topics

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Some anxiety is normal. Everybody knows what it’s like to feel anxious – the butterflies in your stomach before a first date, the tension you feel when your boss is angry, or the way your heart pounds when you are in danger. Anxiety rouses you to action. It gears you up to face a threatening situation. It makes you study harder for that exam. In general, it helps you cope.

But if you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful emotion can do just the opposite – it can keep you from coping and can disrupt your daily life. There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with it’s own distinct features.

An anxiety disorder may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason. Or the anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them, you may stop some everyday activities. Or you may have occasional bouts of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you.

How common are Anxiety Disorders?

Approximately 23 million Americans experience some form of anxiety disorder, contributing to $47 million annually in medical and social costs, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Recent studies indicate 18 to 25 year olds have the highest incidence of anxiety, but the least understanding of the disorders. Anxiety disorders are more prevalent in women than men and seem to be correlated with increased life stressors.

Return to top of page

What are the Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with it’s own specific symptoms. However, symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder serve as a good example. Excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). The person finds it difficult to control the worry. The anxiety and worry are associated with at least three of the following symptoms: The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Another example of an anxiety disorder is a Panic Attack, which is defined as a period of intense fear or discomfort that peaks in 10 minutes accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms:
 

Return to top of page

What causes an Anxiety Disorder?

There are many potential causes of anxiety disorders as there are people who suffer it. Family history and genetics play a part in the greater likelihood of someone getting an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms to deal with the stress also contribute to anxiety. Finally, misperceptions about the likelihood of harm to oneself may contribute as well. Anxiety caused by medications or substance or alcohol abuse is not typically recognized as an anxiety disorder.

Return to top of page

How do Physicians diagnose an Anxiety Disorder?

Specific criteria has been established by the American Psychiatric Association that clearly defines all psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders. For example, a panic attack must have at least four of the above mentioned physical symptoms for one to meet criteria for a panic attack.

Return to top of page

What Treatment options are available for Anxiety Disorders?

The majority of anxiety disorders are effectively treated by a combination of medications, a form of counseling called Psychotherapy and Self-Help programs such as support groups. Medications, while usually helpful in treating the bodily symptoms of acute anxiety (eg, Panic Attacks), are best used as a short-term treatment only (for a few months) if possible. Addictions to certain medications should be carefully guarded against. Psychotherapy should be oriented toward combating the person’s excessive anxiety.

Return to top of page

What are the main Side Effects of the Treatment?

Probably the most worrisome side effect of treatment is the possibility of addiction to the medications used to treat the specific anxiety disorder – either physical or mental addiction – if the medications are taken wrongly. In addition, each medication has it’s own side effects such as sedation or impairment of general performance. For these reasons, medications should only be used to treat acute symptoms of anxiety and tapered off as it is discontinued.

Return to top of page

What Lifestyle Modifications help improve Anxiety Disorder?

Psychotherapy attempts to address many lifestyle modifications to help treat the anxiety disorder. Improving one’s planning skills, decreasing life stressors and improving relaxation (by deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation techniques) are addressed. Improving coping skills by teaching appropriate reactions/behaviors to typical life situations is another goal. Exercise and proper diet are also encouraged. Finally, a self-motivated education about one’s own anxiety disorder must be undertaken.

Return to top of page

What are the Complications of Anxiety?

Because there is a correlation between mental and physical health, a person with an anxiety disorder may be prone to developing physical illnesses if the anxiety disorder is not treated. For example, high blood pressure (hypertension), fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome (a condition of diarrhea and stomach pain) can all occur because an anxiety disorder goes untreated. Also, a patient’s life may be totally disrupted if the anxiety disorder is allowed to progress without treatment so that daily life functioning may become impossible. Such an extreme complication forces one to get help as soon as possible.

Return to top of page

Where can I find information about Anxiety Disorders on the Internet?

The following three websites (urls) are a good place to start: