Now accepting Medi-Cal   Check coverage

Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by tension, worried thoughts, and physical responses to internal and external stressors. Unhealthy levels of anxiety can make everyday activities and responsibilities difficult to manage, but with support, you can learn healthy coping strategies for everyday life.

What Is Anxiety?

Experiencing fear, dread, restlessness, and tension are normal responses to stress. It is not unusual to feel anxious taking a test at school to working on a big project at work. In some situations, anxiety can help you cope with stress, give you an energy boost, and help you focus. An energized focus in a stressful situation is a fight-or-flight response that helps you navigate and respond quickly to danger. 

Table of Contents

However, anxiety can develop into an anxiety disorder if those feelings of fear and dread persist even when there are no stressors present. An anxiety disorder goes beyond a typical fight-or-flight response and limits your ability to function in your daily life.

Common Signs of Anxiety 

A few common signs of anxiety include:

  • Racing thoughts
  • Pounding heart
  • Chest pain

Anxiety Statistics

In July 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measured the prevalence of anxiety in the U.S. The CDC’s assessment used the classifications of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the WG-ANX scale to measure different levels of anxiety. According to the GAD-7 scale, 84.4% of U.S. adults have none or minimal anxiety symptoms, 9.5% have mild anxiety, 3.4% have moderate anxiety, and 2.7% have severe anxiety. Using the WG-ANX scale, 63.4% of adults have no anxiety, 25.5% have low anxiety, 7.1% have medium anxiety, and 4.1% have high anxiety. 

Anxiety in Children 

While the percentage of people struggling with heightened levels of anxiety seems small in comparison to those who did not meet the scale requirements, any level of anxiety that impairs your daily functioning is an issue. Moreover, current research shows that anxiety is not only impacting adults, but it’s increasingly impacting children as well. According to an article from HealthyChildren.org, one in three teens between the ages of 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder. Between the pressures of work and school and family and global issues, numerous factors impact these increasing levels of anxiety among children, adolescents, and adults. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one of many global issues contributing to increased levels of anxiety is COVID-19, which has been particularly challenging for young people and women. These heightened risk factors for stress and anxiety, when left untreated, can lead to an anxiety disorder and other co-occurring disorders. 

Why Is Treatment for Anxiety Important?

Treating unhealthy levels of anxiety is important for your short-term and long-term health. When feelings of anxiety start to disrupt your life, it is important to seek out support to avoid having your condition worsen. Many people struggling with mental health conditions like anxiety will not seek treatment. This opens the door for the condition to develop into a full-blown mental health disorder or co-occurring disorders like depression. 

Moreover, many people may struggle with anxiety for a decade or more before seeking support because of stigmatization. According to an article in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), you may resist seeking help for fear of being judged or being labeled as less than others. This fear is unwarranted. By seeking treatment and support from a therapist, you can learn how to build stronger coping skills to process and manage your symptoms. With support, you can get back to living a life where anxiety does not prevent you from participating in activities and completing tasks in your daily life.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety includes mental and physical symptoms that can impact your behavior in high-stress situations and daily life. The symptoms of anxiety may include a sense of unease, nausea, restlessness, rapid heart rate, and fear in certain settings. However, symptoms of anxiety in some situations can be so heightened that it becomes difficult to cope in a healthy way or relax during and after the situation.

Mental Symptoms

  • Irritability
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Anger
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Worry
  • Concentration issues

Physical Symptoms

  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep issues
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Stomach issues
  • Dry mouth

What Makes Our Program Unique?

At Mindfuli, we use evidence-based practices and exercises to support you on your wellness journey. With our virtual real-time video and chat-based features, you can process and build stronger coping strategies for anxiety from the comfort of your home. Our licensed therapists and care counselors are dedicated to providing empathetic care to help you navigate your emotions for your lifelong well-being.

Services

Some of our support services include:

  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Virtual support groups

To learn more about anxiety and its disorders, visit our General Anxiety Disorders page.

Getting Help

If you feel like you are experiencing unhealthy levels of anxiety, seeking support can help you build stronger coping skills. Excessive anxiety can make it difficult to cope with stressors at the moment, participate in activities, and complete tasks. Seeking support for anxiety can help you manage your symptoms, cope with stressful situations, and pursue your goals again. At Mindfuli, we are committed to supporting you on your wellness journey as you build healthier coping strategies for your long-term well-being.

Learn more about how we can support you on your wellness journey at Mindfuli.

Unhealthy levels of anxiety can make it difficult to process emotions in stressful situations, but with support, you can build healthier coping strategies. At Mindfuli, with our virtual real-time video and chat features, we can support you from the comfort of your home on your wellness journey. Call (888) 703-3004 to learn more.

We've got you covered!

It gets much better from here. Get 1:1 help that works, and lasts — from the best in online therapy and psychiatry.

Verification of Benefits

Instructions:

Email VOB to verification@mindfuli.com  

Include the following:

  • Client Name
  • DOB
  • Client Address
  • Insurance Name
  • ID # 
  • Insurance Phone Number
  • Subscriber Name and Relationship
  • Referred By (Treatment Center)
  • Copy of the Insurance Card if available