Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time as a result of a situation that we perceive as threatening or stressful, such as having to do an oral presentation, having a near-miss with a car, or waiting for the results of a lab test.
Anxiety is normal in many situations, and some level of anxiety can even be helpful. Anxiety can help people deal with a threatening situation, study harder for an exam, and perform better in sports. Anxiety is not necessarily harmful and usually only lasts a short period of time.
But when anxiety becomes persistent and interferes with the ability to cope and disrupts daily life, the person may have an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders. They include:
Anxiety disorders often occur together with other medical conditions, such as depression, eating disorders, or substance use problems.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders. About 1 out of every 4 adults has an anxiety disorder sometime in their life and about 1 out of every 10 people currently has an anxiety disorder. They are more common in women and can affect both children and adults.
Many people misunderstand these disorders and think they can get over them on their own (i.e., without professional help). This is usually not the case. Fortunately, there are many treatments available today to help.
Although researchers don’t know exactly why some people experience anxiety disorders, they do know that there are various factors involved. Like many other mental health conditions, anxiety disorders seem to be a result of a combination of biological, psychological, and other individual factors.
How we think and react to certain situations can affect anxiety. Some people may perceive certain situations to be more dangerous than they actually are (e.g., fear of flying). Others may have had a bad experience and they fear this will happen again (e.g., a dog bite). Some psychologists believe that childhood experiences can also contribute to anxiety.
Researchers know that problems with brain chemistry can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain involved in anxiety include serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Researchers have also shown that changes in activity in certain areas of the brain are involved in anxiety. Many anxiety disorders run in families and likely have a genetic cause.
Certain medical conditions such as thyroid problems and asthma can also cause symptoms of anxiety. As well, other factors such as caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications can cause anxiety symptoms.
Traumatic life events such as the death of a family member, witnessing a death, war, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes may trigger anxiety disorders.
Treatment varies depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder.
Many psychological treatments can help with anxiety, but the most effective form is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
With CBT, irrational fears are challenged in a logical fashion. As a part of CBT, exposure therapy may be used and involves confronting the object of the fear. This may need to be done slowly. Exposure therapy works best for specific phobias (like fear of spiders or flying) that often don’t respond to medications. Support groups may also be helpful for some people.
Medications that help control anxiety affect the three main chemical messengers involved with anxiety: serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Medications used may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., fluoxetine*, paroxetine, escitalopram), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), GABA derivatives (e.g., pregabalin) and anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam). For a small number of people, benzodiazepines can be habit-forming.
Other medications that can be used include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as clomipramine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine), and buspirone.
Not all of the medications used in anxiety disorders are approved by Health Canada for this purpose. Some people with mild anxiety or anxiety from something they can avoid easily may choose not to receive help for their condition.
Many people with anxiety benefit from lifestyle modifications, including the following approaches:
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Anxiety-Disorders
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