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General Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that can cause excessive fear and dread over certain things or situations. An anxiety disorder can make everyday activities and interactions difficult, but with therapy and medication, you can learn to manage your symptoms to lead a productive life.

What Are General Anxiety Disorders?

Feeling nervous or anxious is sometimes a normal part of life, from taking a test to attending a new school. Some level of anxiety can even be helpful in certain situations to help us recognize when we are in or around a potentially dangerous situation. However, an anxiety disorder goes well beyond what would be considered a healthy amount of anxiety. With an anxiety disorder, your ability to function in your daily life is impaired. 

Common Signs of an Anxiety Disorder

  • Overwhelming anxiety and fear
  • Dreaded anticipation of things
  • Emotional overreaction to situations and things
  • Can not control responses to different situations

Table of Contents

Several types of anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions share similar characteristics with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

Related Conditions

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Selective mutism 

General Anxiety Disorders Statistics 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder. With such a staggering percentage (19.1%), it is not surprising that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the country. Besides social anxiety disorder, research has found that women are twice or three times as likely to develop an anxiety disorder. 

Moreover, researchers have found that most anxiety disorders, such as GAD, phobias, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder, start developing in childhood and adolescence. ADAA also notes that 31.9% of children between 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder.

As a group, the various anxiety disorders can be highly detrimental to your daily life, your relationships, and your desires. Many people with an anxiety disorder will go untreated or struggle with the symptoms for a decade or more before seeking support.

Why Is Treatment for General Anxiety Disorders Important?

You should not have to suffer because you have a mental health disorder. Everyone deserves a chance to lead a productive life, and you can pursue that with support.

If you have an anxiety disorder, you may struggle with the following:

  • Your daily life
  • Work or school
  • Relationships
  • Social situations
  • Pursuing goals
 

The psychological and physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be so distressing that it impacts every aspect of your life. An anxiety disorder can lead you to engage in avoidance behavior, which makes it difficult to participate in your daily life and make goals for your future. As the American Psychological Association (APA) notes, avoidance behavior can lead to issues meeting job requirements, pursuing employment and education, maintaining family obligations, and participating in basic daily activities. 

Moreover, research has shown that people with untreated anxiety disorders are more prone to mental health disorders like depression and substance abuse disorder (SUD). Seeking treatment and support from a therapist can help you learn to change your thinking patterns and lessen your anxiety symptoms. With support, you can start to manage your daily life, reconnect with your loved ones, and pursue and achieve goals that once felt impossible.

Risk Factors:

  • Chemical imbalance
    • Long-term stress
  • Environmental
    • Experiencing trauma
  • Genetics 
    • Family history of anxiety disorders
  • Co-occurring disorders
    • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    • Bipolar disorder (BP)
    • Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
    • Eating disorders
    • Depression
    • Sleep disorders
    • SUD
    • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
    • Migraines
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Significant stress

What Do General Anxiety Disorders Feel Like?

The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have. However, some general symptoms overlap with most forms of anxiety. Anxiety disorders will typically have physical, psychological, and behavioral indicators. 

Symptoms may include intense and persistent feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, and terror over everyday situations and activities. Episodes of anxiety frequently happen suddenly and are typically impossible to control at the moment. In addition, anxiety can grow to the point of an anxiety or panic attack in which your symptoms become so intense that the physical pain can be mistaken for a heart attack.

Physical Symptoms

  • Pounding or racing heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hyperventilation
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Cold or sweaty hands
  • Numb or tingling sensation in hands or feet
  • Shaking and trembling
  • Muscle tension
  • Feeling tired and weak
  • Stomach issues

Psychological Symptoms

  • Fear and uneasiness
  • Nervousness
  • Excessive worry
  • Tense
  • Panic
  • Racing thoughts
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Avoidance

Behavioral Symptoms

  • Inability to remain still
  • Sleep issues
  • Ritualistic behaviors 

What Makes Our Program Unique?

At Mindfuli, we use evidence-based interventions and exercises to support your wellness journey. With our virtual real-time video and chat-based features, you can receive the care you deserve from the comfort of your home. Our licensed therapists and care counselors are dedicated to providing empathetic care to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.

Services

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

Learn more about how we treat anxiety.

Getting Help

If you feel like you are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, seeking support can help you build skills to lead a healthy and productive life. Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to function in everyday situations, maintain relationships, and pursue your desires or goals. Seeking treatment for an anxiety disorder can help you manage your symptoms, participate in activities, connect with family and friends, and pursue your goals. At Mindfuli, we are committed to supporting you as you work toward building a life based on wellness.

Learn more about how we can support you at Mindfuli.

Anxiety disorders can make daily life difficult, but with treatment and support, you can start building healthier thinking patterns. At Mindfuli, our virtual real-time video and chat features allow us to support you on your journey to wellness from the comfort of your home. Call us today at 866.714.8913.

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