Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, apprehension, or fear in response to stress. These reactions can be healthy, but when they become extreme, interfere with your life, or last longer than six months, they can indicate anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are the most common kind of emotional disorder. Several different conditions fall under the anxiety disorder umbrella, such as:

• Phobias
• Panic disorders
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Approximately 31.1% of American adults and 31.9% of adolescents will experience an anxiety disorder. While they can affect you at any age or gender, anxiety disorders are usually more common in women than men and develop before 21 years of age.

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can vary from person to person and depend on the specific disorder, but the most common emotional and physical symptoms include:

• Extreme terror or fear
• Irrational worry or thoughts
• Problems concentrating
• Headaches or fatigue
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Irritability or restlessness
• Tremors or twitches
• Rapid breathing or heart rate
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Nausea or upset stomach

In some cases, anxiety disorder symptoms can become so severe that they are debilitating.

What causes anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are typically due to genetic and environmental factors. These conditions are generally seen in families and are often associated with traumatic events like chronic illness, violence, abuse, or death.

Underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, or chronic health conditions, can trigger some anxiety disorder symptoms.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed and treated?

Best Option Behavioral Health Services takes an integrative, patient-centered approach to diagnose and treating anxiety disorders. During your consultation, the team discusses your personal and family medical histories while performing thorough mental status and physical exams, which might include lab tests.

Based on your diagnosis, the team might recommend medications or various therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), other types of psychotherapy, and other approaches, like stress management techniques or yoga.

Best Option Behavioral Health Services also brings a mind-body awareness approach to treatment, focusing on a personalized wellness routine and healthy diet promoting proper digestion. Sometimes, the team recommends herbal supplements to support your mind-body balance.

To learn more about anxiety disorders and treatment, call Best Option Behavioral Health Services or schedule an appointment online today.