Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, or nervousness that everyone experiences from time to time. It’s like that uneasy feeling you get before a big test or job interview. In these situations, anxiety is a normal response—your body’s way of preparing you to deal with a challenge. And for most people, these feelings disappear once the stressful life events end.
But for some, anxiety doesn’t just go away. It sticks around and becomes overwhelming. It’s not just about feeling nervous before a big event—it’s more like a constant cloud of worry that hangs over you, even when there’s no clear reason.
This kind of anxiety interferes with your ability to work, enjoy social activities, or maintain relationships. It can turn everyday tasks into major hurdles and leave you trapped in a cycle of fear and stress.
Read on to learn why this happens and what you can do to regain control of your life.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is like your body’s alarm system getting stuck in the “on” position. It’s meant to alert you to potential dangers, but when it’s always on, it can cause unnecessary stress and make you feel a sense of impending doom or experience panic attacks, even when everything around you is okay.
There are many different types of anxiety diagnoses, including:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Phobias like selective mutism, social phobia, agoraphobia, and medication/substance-induced anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Anxiety diagnoses are the most common mental health concern in the U.S. According to recent reports, more than 40 million adults (which is about 19.1% of the population) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, about 7% of children between ages 3 and 17 experience anxiety issues every year. Most people develop symptoms before they’re 21.
Symptoms of Anxiety Attack
Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each with its own set of symptoms. Despite their differences, all anxiety disorders share a common thread: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that aren’t actually threatening. This constant state of anxiety can manifest in both emotional and physical ways.
Emotional symptoms often include:
- A constant sense of dread or apprehension
- Feeling jumpy, tense, or on edge
- Anticipating the worst
- Irritability or restlessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Hyper aware of potential threats
- Fear of losing control
- Feeling detached or unreality
- Difficulty managing emotions
Physical symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Digestive issues
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle tension
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
Anxiety and Hypertension
Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure. However, bouts of anxiety can trigger rises in blood pressure – and when this happens often, it can damage blood vessels, kidneys, and the heart. Similar damage has been observed in people with hypertension.
What Causes Anxiety
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. But they believe a combination of risk factors come into play:
Chemical Imbalances
Your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate between nerve cells. These chemicals play a big role in how you feel.
- Serotonin, or the “feel-good” chemical, helps regulate your mood
- Norepinephrine is involved in your body’s “fight or flight” response
- Dopamine is mainly known for its role in pleasure and reward
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps calm your nervous system
An imbalance of any of these chemicals can make you more prone to anxiety. For example, too little serotonin might leave you feeling down or anxious, while too much norepinephrine could keep you in a constant state of alertness, making it hard to relax.
Brain Changes
A specific part of your brain called the amygdala helps manage fear and anxiety. It detects potential threats and triggers your body’s anxiety response. Numerous studies found that people with anxiety disorders have an overactive amygdala in response to anxiety cues.
Genetics
Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, which suggests that genetics play a role. If you have a close relative, like a parent or sibling, with an anxiety diagnosis, you might be at a higher risk of developing one yourself.
Environmental Factors
Stress is a major factor—whether it’s a single traumatic event or ongoing pressure from work, relationships, or financial issues. Long-term stress can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain, making you more susceptible to anxiety.
For example, going through a major life event, like losing a loved one, can trigger anxiety, especially if you’re already predisposed to it. The same applies to growing up in an environment where there’s a lot of conflict, instability, or emotional neglect. How you’re raised, and your experiences early in life can shape how your brain responds to stress and fear later on.
Anxiety Treatment
Let’s explore some of the latest and most innovative anxiety treatments:
Traditional Therapy
One of the most common and effective treatments for anxiety is talk therapy, specifically Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify and change the negative thought patterns that fuel your anxiety. You can learn practical stress management strategies through regular sessions with a therapist.
Medications
Medication is also essential and is often used as a vital part of anxiety treatment. Doctors often prescribe medications like beta blockers to help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety. Beta-blockers can be particularly useful in situations where anxiety is heightened, like before a public speaking event or a stressful life event. Other medications, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, can balance the neurotransmitters in your brain, minimizing the overall intensity of anxiety.
Innovative Treatments
Beyond traditional therapy and medication, there are cutting-edge treatments available that offer new hope for those with anxiety. One such treatment is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It’s especially beneficial for patients who haven’t found relief through conventional methods. While TMS has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms significantly, helping people regain a sense of calm and well-being, it’s important to note that currently, BrainsWay Deep TMS™ technology is FDA approved to treat anxiety when it co-occurs with depression and/or OCD.
Ketamine infusions also have emerged as a novel treatment for anxiety, particularly for individuals who have not responded well to traditional treatments. Here’s a few ways IV ketamine can help:
- Modulation of Glutamate: Ketamine works by modulating glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in brain plasticity and the formation of neural connections. Anxiety and mood disorders are associated with disrupted glutamate signaling, and ketamine helps restore this balance, promoting new neural connections and improving brain function.
- Rapid Relief: Traditional anxiety treatments, like antidepressants, can take weeks to show effects. IV ketamine often provides rapid relief, with some patients experiencing a reduction in anxiety symptoms within hours or days.
- Neuroplasticity: By increasing neuroplasticity, ketamine may allow the brain to form new, healthier pathways, helping patients adapt to stress and anxiety in more effective ways.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: There’s evidence that inflammation plays a role in anxiety disorders, and ketamine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to its anxiolytic effects.
Ketamine is administered intravenously under medical supervision at Relief Mental Health at select locations.
Lifestyle Changes
Experts recommend lifestyle changes for anxiety. Simple things like positive affirmations can help shift your focus away from worry and toward more constructive, calming thoughts. Stress relieving techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity can also support your journey toward managing anxiety.
The Power of Support
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. Joining a support group can provide a sense of community and connection with others who understand what you’re going through. Sharing experiences, offering advice, and receiving encouragement can be incredibly empowering and play a significant role in your recovery.
The good news is that there’s treatment for anxiety and that many people with this mental health diagnosis can lead normal, healthy lives. If you’re experiencing the signs we’ve discussed in this article, seek help today. Relief Mental Health offers traditional and innovative treatment options, allowing you to find what works best for you.
