Anxiety Disorder - Frequently Asked Questions

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a real emotional disturbance; it's not just simply worrying, and it can be treated to help a person have a healthy and full life. From time to time, everyone worries about his or her health, family, money, and school. However, when a person has anxiety, they worry all the time, even when nothing is wrong. A person with anxiety always expects the worst will happen, can't relax, and feels tense most of the time.

It's important to know that when a person has this illness, it's not her or his fault. It's not something a person can just "snap out of." No one knows for sure what causes anxiety disorder. Most often, anxiety begins in childhood, but can start in adolescence or adulthood as well.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The biggest symptom of anxiety is constant worry. Physical symptoms can also happen. Research suggests that anxiety symptoms can become worse when a person is under stress. Symptoms include:

Constant worrying
Trembling and muscle tension
Feeling tense and unable to relax
Feeling tired
Having trouble staying
Feeling irritable or grouchy
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Feeling nauseous or otherwise physically ill when worrying

Many people with anxiety startle more easily than other people. They sometimes suffer from depression, too.

How is anxiety treated?

Anxiety disorders are among the most common of all emotional disturbances. Many people misunderstand these disorders and think people should be able to overcome the symptoms by sheer willpower. However, the symptoms can't be willed or wished away. There are treatments, developed through research, that work well for these emotional disturbances.

Anxiety disorders are treated in two ways - with medication and with certain types of psychotherapy. Sometimes only one treatment is used or both treatments are combined. If you have an anxiety disorder, talk with your doctor about what will work best for you.

A number of drugs used for treating depression, called antidepressants have been found to help with anxiety disorders as well. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used, along with the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other medicines include anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines and beta-blockers.

Treatment with psychotherapy includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy. In CBT, the goal is to change how a person thinks about, and then reacts to, a situation that makes them anxious or fearful. In behavioral therapy, the focus is on changing how a person reacts to a situation. CBT or behavioral therapy most often lasts for 12 weeks. It can be group or individual therapy.

Keep in mind that it can be a challenge to find the right treatment for an anxiety disorder. But, if one treatment doesn't work, the odds are good that another one will. New treatments are being developed through ongoing research. So, don't give up hope. If you have recovered from an anxiety disorder and it comes back at a later date, don't think that you've failed. You can be treated again. The skills you learned dealing with the disorder the first time can help you in coping with it again.

How can I help myself?

Many people find it helps to join a support group because they can share their problems and successes with others who are going through the same thing. While it doesn't take the place of mental health care, talking with trusted friends can also be very helpful. Family members can play an important role in a person's treatment by offering support. Learning how to manage stress will help you to stay calm and focused. Research suggests that aerobic exercise (like jogging, bicycling and swimming) may be of value as well. Other studies have found that caffeine, illegal drugs, and some over-the-counter cold medicines can worsen the symptoms of these disorders. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medicines.

What is the latest research on anxiety disorders?

The National Institute of Mental Health supports research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. Studies are ongoing for how family background (genetics) and life experience puts a person at risk for these disorders. New drugs are being tested in clinical trials, as well as therapy approaches.