About 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders, which is about 18% of the adults in the U.S, According to the National Institute of Mental Health. Those with anxiety have a much higher risk for depression and other mood disorders. Anxiety is common in everyone, but becomes a disorder if it starts to induce panic attacks, feelings of terror, phobias, ADHD, health problems and more. It is possible to help ease anxiety even in the most chronic patients. Learn more about this disorder, how it can affect you, and ways to ease anxiety!
What is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a normal emotion that accompanies most high-stakes activities, events or decisions in life. The difference between experiencing bouts of anxiety and an anxiety disorder involves the duration and severity of the anxiety that you feel. “For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships,” writes the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Common Triggers for Anxiety
When do we feel most anxious? Death, grief, the loss of a job, poor sleep habits, stressful social situations, crowded areas, workplace pressures, divorce, and special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays all can cause anxiety symptoms.
Certain risk factors can also increase your odds of experiencing an anxiety disorder. Research show that there are both genetic and environmental factors that can cause an anxiety disorder. The NIMH lists the following common risk factors for anxiety disorders:
- Some physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias, or caffeine or other substances/medications, can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms; a physical health examination is helpful in the evaluation of a possible anxiety disorder.
- Temperamental traits of shyness or behavioral inhibition in childhood
- Exposure to stressful and negative life or environmental events in early childhood or adulthood
- A history of anxiety or other mental illnesses in biological relatives
Understanding what symptoms are normal and what symptoms are not may necessitate a consultation with your doctor.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
While there is generalized anxiety disorder, there are also various other categories/types such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social phobias
Discuss with your doctor all of your symptoms so that your triggers and treatment methods can work as effectively as possible.
Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder
“People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) display excessive anxiety or worry, most days for at least 6 months, about a number of things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. The fear and anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life, such as social interactions, school, and work, reports the NIMH.
Physical signs of an anxiety disorder may include:
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Trembling
- Fast heartbeat/palpitations
- Breathing difficulty
- Dizziness
- Impaired concentration
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
Holistic, Integrative Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Balanced Well-Being Healthcare works with you to overcome your anxiety by treating your body, mind, and spirit together. Chemicals alone are not enough to cure the causes of mood disorders. Current scientific evidence instead points to our bodies as a complex web of hormonal, biochemical, psychological, and metabolic relationships. Long-lasting success with treatment focuses on each of these areas.
Our integrative approach to healing not only evaluates your total body wellness, but it also acknowledges that there is no cookie-cutter cure that will work for each person. The unique variables in each patient’s overall bodily equation means there is no, one, standardized solution. Each patient at Balanced Well-Being Healthcare receives a customized treatment plan that works to improve all the areas that are causing your anxiety disorder.
Call to Learn More About Anxiety Disorder and Treatments
If you are suffering from anxiety, call us today to learn how to live and thrive while improving your symptoms. Call Balanced Well-Being Healthcare for a consultation at 970-631-8286. We are dedicated to helping you return to feeling your best.