Understanding Anxiety And Your Treatment Options
NHS Anxiety: What The Website Doesn't Tell You
Do you often feel worried and anxious? You're not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions globally.
Anxiety disorders are prevalent worldwide. A 2017 study estimates that 7.3% of the world's population experiences one in a given year (1).
This article will explore the different types of anxiety disorders. We cover anxiety symptoms and how anxiety differs from fear. We'll also discuss the options for psychological therapy.
Anxiety vs. Fear: What's the Difference?
Anxiety and fear are often used in tandem but are distinct emotions.
Fear is a natural response to a perceived immediate threat. Anxiety is a more complex and sometimes long-term feeling of apprehension about a potential future event or situation. Furthermore, severe anxiety occurs as several mental health conditions (e.g., Generalised Anxiety Disorder).
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest itself in various ways, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some common symptoms include:
Feeling restless or on edge
Becoming easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or finding that your mind goes blank
Irritability
Muscle tension
It's important to note that anxiety can also be accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and heart palpitations.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Some key variables include:
Genetic factors: Family history and genetic risk can play a significant role (2).
Environmental factors: Exposure to traumatic events, childhood adversities, or chronic stress can contribute to anxiety disorders (3).
Gender: Women are more likely to experience anxiety disorders than men (4).
Personality traits: Individuals with certain personality traits (e.g., perfectionism) may be at higher risk (5).
Treatment Options
It's crucial to consult your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life. A family doctor or other health practitioner can help determine whether professional help is needed to ease your symptoms.
Effective treatments are available when feeling anxious. This help should be provided by a trained therapist. Some common treatments include:
Psychological therapy: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a widely used approach that helps individuals challenge and change their anxious thought patterns. CBT also covers several other relevant factors (e.g., managing situations that make you anxious). This intervention can be delivered face-to-face or online.
Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of mood medication that can help ease anxiety symptoms.
Lifestyle changes: Exercising regularly, reducing caffeine intake, and addressing alcohol misuse can also help manage anxiety.
Treatment options will depend on your financial circumstances and therapies services available in your area.
NHS Information
The NHS website on this topic provides helpful information on anxiety. However, it lacks details on the various subtypes of anxiety disorders and their specific symptoms. This information allows a more comprehensive understanding of the condition.
Read further information on anxiety.
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References
(1) Baxter, A. J., Scott, K. M., Vos, T., & Whiteford, H. A. (2013). Global prevalence of anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-regression. Psychological Medicine, 43(5), 897-910.
(2) Hettema, J. M., Neale, M. C., & Kendler, K. S. (2001). A review and meta-analysis of the genetic epidemiology of anxiety disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(10), 1568-1578.
(3) McLaughlin, K. A., Green, J. G., Gruber, M. J., Sampson, N. A., Zaslavsky, A. M., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). Childhood adversity, adult stressful life events, and risk of past-year psychiatric disorder: A test of the stress sensitization hypothesis in a population-based sample of adults. Psychological Medicine, 40(10), 1647-1658.
(4) Baxter, A. J., Vos, T., Scott, K. M., Ferrari, A. J., & Whiteford, H. A. (2014). The global burden of anxiety disorders in 2010. Psychological Medicine, 44(11), 2363-2374.
(5) Naragon-Gainey, K., Gallagher, M. W., & Brown, T. A. (2017). Stable “trait” variance of temperament as a predictor of the temporal course of depression and social phobia. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(7), 862-873.
