Anxiety
Nearly everyone feels worried, nervous or uneasy from time to time. Sometimes these feelings can become overwhelming or continue for a long time. Learn more about anxiety, anxiety disorders and what you can do to feel better.
Types of anxiety disorders
Some of the most common anxiety disorders are:
- Acute stress disorder (ASD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social anxiety disorder
Signs of an anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorders can interfere with your daily activities, such as:
- Job performance
- Relationships
- Schoolwork
- Self-esteem
Anxiety may express itself through:
- Physical symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased muscle tension
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Rise in blood pressure
Anxious behaviors
- Avoiding anxiety-provoking situations
- Compulsive behaviors, like checking, repeating and making things “just right”
- Overpreparing
- Restlessness or fidgeting
- Seeking reassurance
Lifestyle tips
Diet
Exercise
Sleep
Stress management
Treatment options
Talk to your health care professional about treatment options for anxiety. Common treatments include:
- Medication – Helps combat anxiety; if your therapist or counselor recommends medication, you’ll get a referral to a psychiatrist.
- Psychotherapy – Discover what caused an anxiety disorder and ways to cope by talking with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counselor
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is a “solution-oriented” type of psychotherapy focusing on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and thoughts by changing negative or irrational beliefs. “Cognitive” relates to changing the thinking patterns that support fears, and “behavioral” relates to changing the reaction to anxiety-provoking situations.
Frequently asked questions
How common are anxiety disorders?
What causes anxiety disorders?
What if I don’t treat my anxiety?
Contact us
Talk to a care navigator or schedule an appointment at the Women’s Health & Wellness Center.