Question 1

What Causes Anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety is a natural body reaction caused by perceived danger. Anxiety disorders occur when anxiety doesn’t go away or worsens over time.

You may be wondering: What exactly is anxiety disorder, and do I have one?

Also, what's causing my anxiety, and will it ever go away?

Two factors that seem to largely determine whether a person will develop an anxiety disorder are:

Genetics
Environment.

Scientists also think there may be a link between anxiety and the hippocampus in the brain. Research has shown that experiencing trauma, or any type of brain injury in the hippocampus area, could predispose someone to an anxiety disorder.

Another area of the brain that could also connect with anxiety disorders is the amygdala, so injuries in that area also could increase the chances of developing an anxiety disorder.

How bad is my anxiety?

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Anxiety Online Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find help for your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here’s are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Question 2

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Accepted Answer

While no two people experience stress and anxiety exactly the same way, some of the most common symptoms of anxiety include:

Feeling of nervousness
Weakness
Increased heart rate
Sense of impending danger
Panic (Find out the symptoms of a panic attack.)
Rapid breathing
Stomach upset

See some additional symptoms of anxiety and figure out if you have anxiety.

While similar to stress, there are some key differences between anxiety and stress.

Signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder

Anxiety is a normal human reaction, but it can sometimes develop into an anxiety disorder.

If you have an anxiety disorder, you might experience more intense symptoms for no rational reason.

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

Intense worry or fear
Repeat episodes of intense anxious feelings
Sudden terror
Problems sleeping
Concentration issues
Tiredness
Nervousness
Sweating

If you notice you have these symptoms, it's important to speak with your primary care doctor or mental health professional.

How bad is my anxiety?

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Online Anxiety Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find therapists to help treat anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

You can browse therapists who accept your insurance, and book a telehealth video counseling session, an in-person therapy session, or a free 15-minute initial consultation.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Question 3

What Is the Best Treatment for Anxiety?

Accepted Answer

The best treatment for anxiety usually is a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

When your primary care doctor or licensed mental health professional develops a treatment plan to help you cope with living with anxiety, there are different recommendations they may make, including medication, therapy—or both.

However, it is often difficult to find a successful treatment right away, and you may need to try different combinations before you discover what works best for you.

Therapy proven to get the best results in treating anxiety

A type of talk therapy, called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) gets the best results for anxiety. CBT will help you learn skills for dealing with anxiety and the things that trigger it. If you have been avoiding certain things due to anxiety, you will learn through therapy how to overcome these symptoms and incorporate the activities back into your daily life.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

Here are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

You can also consider mindfulness and mindfulness-based therapy (MBT).

Medication used to treat anxiety

Types of medications often prescribed to treat anxiety include:

Antidepressants (SSRIs—selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—such as Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro and/or SNRIs—serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors—such as Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Effexor XR)
Buspar or Buspirone
Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Ativan)

Antidepressants are among the best choice to treat anxiety. Specific medications doctors may prescribe, include Effexor (venlafaxine), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Cymbalta (duloxetine). Antidepressant medications will need to be taken daily and long-term. They may not produce results for a few weeks.

Buspar or Buspirone is a an anti-anxiety medicine that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are not a standard option, but doctors sometimes prescribe them. It’s important to note that they are habit-forming sedatives for many individuals.

If your doctor does decide to prescribe benzodiazepines, it will typically be for short-term use only. If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, let your doctor know as you should avoid taking this medication.

How bad is my anxiety?

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Online Anxiety Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find a therapist who can help treat your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed therapist near you who specializes in anxiety.

You can choose to browse therapists and counselors who accept your insurance.

Each therapy provider’s page on Monarch lists their hourly fees directly underneath their areas of specialty. Many therapists listed on Monarch also allow you to book telehealth video sessions and free initial 15-minute consultation appointments.

Question 4

How can I calm my anxiety?

Accepted Answer

A combination of medication and therapy is the best way to calm anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy is the most common treatment for those affected by anxiety disorders. In fact, research has found CBT to be highly effective in the treatment of several types of anxiety disorders.

Medication often used to treat anxiety may include:

Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are not a standard option, but doctors sometimes prescribe them. It’s important to note that they are habit-forming sedatives for many individuals. If your doctor does decide to prescribe them, it will be for short-term use only. If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, let your doctor know as you should avoid taking this medication.
Buspirone. Buspirone is a medication made explicitly for the treatment of anxiety. This is a type of antidepressant that you will need to take daily and long-term. It may not produce results for a few weeks.
Antidepressants. Antidepressants, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are among the choice to treat anxiety. Specific medications doctors may prescribe, include venlafaxine, escitalopram, and duloxetine.

Meditation can also be quite effective in calming anxiety. In fact, research suggests that even a single meditation session can help ease anxiety. Besides meditation, yoga has also been proven helpful in reducing anxiety. Research has also found that regular, high-intensity exercise programs can help reduce anxiety.

There are also a few things to do on your own to ease your anxiety symptoms. Deep breathing can help regain control if you experience breathing issues as a symptom. You can either do the breathing alone or as part of a meditation.

Either way, you want to focus on taking a deep breath in, holding it for a few seconds, and then releasing it slowly. Keep repeating this until you feel your body relax.

How bad is my anxiety?

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Anxiety Online Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find help for your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here’s are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Question 5

What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?

Accepted Answer

When overwhelming feelings of panic and worry interrupt our ability to get things done and enjoy our lives—it can indicate we may have an anxiety disorder. The primary types of anxiety disorders are:

Separation anxiety disorder. This is the excessive fear of being apart from a person. The symptoms of separation anxiety tend to first appear in childhood, typically when a child is separated from a parent.
Specific phobia. Previously called simple phobia, specific phobia refers to an irrational fear caused by a specific object or person that, in reality, causes little to no actual threat.
Social anxiety disorder. Also called social phobia, social anxiety disorder is an overwhelming fear of being judged by others, combined with feeling extremely uncomfortable in interacting in a social setting.
Panic disorder. This type of anxiety is defined by panic attacks or panic-like symptoms that negatively impact day-to-day life. Symptoms of a panic attack can include rapid breathing, chest discomfort, nausea, vomiting, sweating, overwhelming feelings of doom, and so on. See all the signs and symptoms of a panic attack.
Agoraphobia. Severe fear of being in specific situations for which escape would be difficult in the event of a panic attack.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). When a person worries excessively about a variety of topics, such as grades in school, job performance, money problems, current events, natural disasters such as an earthquake or hurricane, relationships with others, and so on.

Find out if you have an anxiety disorder

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Online Anxiety Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find help for your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Question 6

What Is Anxiety?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is when we experience feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”

Feeling anxious or stress is generally considered a normal and even necessary emotion, and everyone gets anxiety from time to time.

However, people living with an anxiety disorder experience these symptoms much more often—or even all the time. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can interfere with our lives, and long-term health, when left untreated.

When we experience severe, relentless anxiousness, we may have an anxiety disorder.

When anxiety reaches the level of a disorder, it may interfere with our enjoyment of activities, social life, job performance, grades, and relationships, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

It's estimated that one-third of adults will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and women are more likely than men to experience anxiety, according to the APA.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are different from feeling anxious in the moment or experiencing acute stress—which is a normal human reaction and can actually be beneficial to us.

There are several anxiety disorders included in the APA’s 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-5), the official source mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health issues.

All anxiety disorders share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. There are five signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Some of the official anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and phobias.

According to Mental Health America (MHA), "Anxiety disorders are not just a case of ‘nerves.’” MHA points out that these disorders cause us to feel anxious most of the time, making some everyday situations so uncomfortable that we may avoid them entirely.

You may be curious: What exactly is an anxiety disorder, and do I have one?

Or wondering: What's causing my anxiety, and will it ever go away?

How bad is my anxiety?

To find out if you may have an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Online Anxiety Assessment.

If you suspect you have the symptoms of an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed therapist about your concerns.

Find help for your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

You can choose to book a free 15-minute initial consultation, an in-person therapy session that fits your schedule, or telehealth video therapy sessions.

If you're wondering about affordable therapy options, you can also find therapists and counselors covered by your insurance.

Question 7

How Common Is Anxiety Disorder?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorder is quite common. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness among American adults, impacting about 18% of U.S. adults in any given year. That means at least 40 million Americans have an anxiety disorder.

You may be wondering: What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

or What's causing my anxiety, and will it ever go away?

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a therapist near you who specializes in anxiety.

Take an anxiety assessment

To find out if you may have an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Online Anxiety Assessment.

Depending on the results, and if you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, we recommend you talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed therapist mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find therapists who specialize in anxiety disorders

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find therapists near you who specialize in anxiety.

You can choose to book a free 15-minute initial consultation, an in-person therapy session that fits your schedule, or telehealth video therapy sessions.

If you're wondering about affordable therapy options, you can also find therapists and counselors covered by your insurance.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and talk therapy get positive results for anxiety

Talk therapy or psychotherapy—and particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and help us to figure out what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors. Here's more about how both CBT and psychotherapy have been proven to help people manage their anxiety.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Question 8

What does anxiety look like in children and teens?

Accepted Answer

How bad is my anxiety?

To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take our 2-Minute Anxiety Online Assessment.

If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.

Find help for your anxiety

The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),can help us manage our anxiety by learning coping strategies and diving into what needs to change in the present to help us cope better.

CBT helps us focus on our thought processes and behaviors.

When we understand what is driving our anxiety, we're in a better place to cope with anxiety in a healthy way.

While it may be possible for our anxiety to be successfully treated with only medication or only therapy, in most cases, a combination of both treatments is recommended.

Here’s are therapists near you who specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

What Causes Anxiety?

How bad is my anxiety?

Find help for your anxiety

Related questions about anxiety

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