Anxiety Disorder Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments November 25, 2019 Stefanie Grewel/Getty Images More in GAD Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Coping Anxiety disorders  are a serious mental illness that causes significant worry or fear that doesnt go away and may even get worse over time. We all feel anxious at times, but with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety tends to be fairly constant and has a very negative and intrusive impact on a persons quality of life. Types of Anxiety Disorders There are several types of anxiety disorders including panic disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder,  posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The newest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) breaks anxiety disorders into three categories: Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders, and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. This differentiation shows that while the disorders have a commonality and are related, they are distinctly different as well. Anxiety Disorder Symptoms Anxiety disorders come with a whole host of symptoms and no one person has the same experience. Each disorder tends to have different symptoms as well. The symptoms common to anxiety disorders in general include:Difficulty sleepingFeelings of nervousness, panic, fear, and uneaseMuscle tightness  Dry mouthTingling or numbness in the hands or feetNauseaDizzinessUnable to be calm or hold stillSweaty or cold hands and/or feetRapid or irregular heartbeat Basically, when you experience the familiar physical and psychological signs of fear and anxiety such as sweating, racing heart, shortness of breath, trembling, worry or stress, these are cues that something is happening that could be a threat and that you need to deal with it. This “flight or fight” reaction activates the physical and psychological resources necessary to deal with the potential danger. Although this system works well most of the time, sometimes it can go into overdrive and do more harm than good. When this happens, it might indicate you have an anxiety disorder. Diagnosis There are no lab tests that can be done in order to diagnose an anxiety disorder, though your doctor may perform some tests to rule out physical problems. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a counselor, who will use specific diagnostic tools and questions to help determine what sort of disorder you may have.   Generalized Anxiety Disorder Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctors appointment. Download PDF Treatments Anxiety disorders can be treated with a variety of options, including psychotherapy, medications, and  coping strategies. One particularly effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorder sufferers is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). If you have an anxiety disorder, there are plenty of treatment options available to help you live your life to the fullest. Remember, treatment can take time, trial and error before you and your physician discover the best options for you. Be patient and keep communication open with your mental health professional in order to figure out the plan best tailored to your individual needs.   Find Relief With the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs Causes No one knows exactly what causes anxiety disorders, although there seems to be a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, stress level, brain changes, and trauma. Researchers are finding out more about these links all the time.