While most people experience feelings of fear and worry during stressful situations, folks with anxiety disorders have ongoing feelings of fear or dread regardless of what is happening around them. Many people with anxiety disorders have experienced panic attacks, elevated heart rate, and shortness of breath. Anxiety disorders include: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, phobias such as agoraphobia, and panic disorder. Like many mental health conditions, these disorders are often misunderstood. Today, we will tackle some of the myths and learn more about the science behind anxiety.
Myths
Some People Just Worry Too Much
Anxiety disorders are one of the more common mental illnesses, which leads many folks to think that they aren’t “real” illnesses or can be ignored until they go away. Avoiding a stressful situation can reduce feelings of intense panic or dread, but folks with anxiety disorders continue to experience fear, worry, and emotional distress regardless of the situation. Like any illness, treatment should be sought to help manage symptoms.
Kids Can’t Get Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect over 30% of children age 13 to 18. Teens with anxiety disorders have more difficulty in school. Many report physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, in addition to feelings of intense dread. Younger folks with anxiety disorders may also lash out in emotional outbursts or tantrums due to feelings of overwhelming fear or panic.
Mysteries
The Cause
Anxiety disorders are based in the brain, and likely the cause is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many folks with an anxiety disorder will also have a history of medical illnesses, trauma, and/or neurodivergence such as dyslexia or ADHD.
What we Know
Treatment that Works
Anxiety disorders are chronic but invisible illnesses that can be managed well with medication, therapy, or both. Therapy, particularly cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), is highly effective for treatment of anxiety disorders. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed by a doctor and help to manage short term symptoms like panic attacks as well as long term symptoms. Exercise, eating healthy, and mindfulness can also help with symptoms.
Avoiding Stress Doesn’t Work Long Term
Stressful situations can cause the symptoms of an anxiety disorder to flare up, but the idea of avoiding these situations as a way to manage symptoms is often not possible. Instead, it’s recommended to learn coping skills and ways to manage intrusive thoughts, rather than avoiding everything. Some outside circumstances can be controlled, but often with anxiety disorders, the fear or worry looms larger than the actual stressful situation itself.
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