Anxiety Expression

Anxiety is a standard human emotion that everyone experiences that serves as your body’s early warning system for actual danger. However, for those with anxiety disorders, the anxiety does not often subside and can interfere with a person’s ability to accomplish daily tasks with ease. Each person who experiences anxiety is unique, yet statistics have shown marked differences between demographics, especially with regard to prevalence. Read on to learn more about how other anxiety disorders and associated symptoms present in many types of people. 

Anxiety disorder vs. panic disorder

Researchers at the American Psychological Association characterize an anxiety disorder as an emotion involving worried or anxious thoughts, a sense of tension or danger, and physical changes, like increased blood pressure or a racing heartbeat. While everyone experiences occasional anxiety, more extreme and persistent reactions may indicate the presence of one or more anxiety disorders. These reactions include intrusive thoughts, overwhelming concerns, intense fear, or being constantly on edge with your body and brain endlessly in fight or flight mode.

According to the NIMH Overview of Anxiety Disorders, “Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.” 

How common are these disorders?

According to researchers at the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition among adults in the United States. The detail shows that approximately 30% of American adults will be affected by an anxiety disorder throughout their lives. However, treatment for anxiety disorders exists, with multiple effective treatment options available to help you live a productive, adaptable life. 

Symptoms

While symptoms of anxiety disorders vary widely from person to person, the following health topics are commonly reported.

• Behavioral: You may actively avoid people, places, and circumstances that could cause anxiety. You might also notice drastic changes in your sleep patterns and eating habits.
• Psychological: When something triggers anxiety, you might experience mood swings, irritability, stress, an overwhelming and intense sense of impending doom or danger, disorientation, persistent nervousness, worry, or fear. You may have trouble making decisions; your mind may go blank, and brain fog can make it difficult to focus.
• Physical: Your anxiety may cause muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, an increased heart rate, trembling, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, sweating, or unexplained chest pains. If you experience chest pain, consider the risk of a heart attack or a serious illness like heart disease and consult a medical professional right away. 

Types

Multiple types of anxiety disorders exist under the umbrella term, including the following:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive anxiety and worry that can be difficult to control and can interfere with daily functioning.
• Panic disorder. Panic disorder involves sudden periods of excessive fear and worsening anxiety, known as panic attacks, which can last for several minutes. You may experience a panic attack without warning or apparent cause, often causing increased anxiety about the possibility of future occurrences.
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD). Social anxiety disorder is characterized by the persistent fear of social situations, particularly those with exposure to unfamiliar people or involving performance. 
• Phobia-related disorder. Phobias are irrational fears of a particular object or situation with little or no risk of real danger. However, despite the lack of probable threat, you may experience extreme reactions when encountering the source of the phobia.
• Separation anxiety disorder. Separation anxiety disorder occurs when a person experiences prolonged or recurrent distress about being separated from a loved one, which can involve excessive concern about losing them to a disaster or illness. 
• Selective mutism. Selective mutism describes a person’s inability to speak in some social situations due to intense fear.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD was once considered an anxiety disorder, it has been reclassified as a trauma and stress-related disorder. PTSD affects individuals who have either witnessed or experienced a serious traumatic event or a series of traumatic events over time. PTSD can cause intense emotional pain, physical illness, and extreme fear, which can lead to the onset of an anxiety disorder.

Men vs. women

According to a 2021 study, men and women can experience anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in general differently. Outside of social anxiety disorder — which occurs equally across genders — women are significantly more likely to develop anxiety disorders. For example, women are more than twice as likely to experience panic disorders than men, along with associated symptoms of breathing difficulties, agoraphobia, and comorbid anxiety disorders.

Another study from 2011 reported that lifetime prevalence rates for anxiety disorders are 30.5% for females and 19.2% for males. While men and women often experience similar anxiety symptoms, the detail shows that women generally face a greater burden from the disorder and are more likely to be diagnosed with another mental health condition besides anxiety.

Anxiety in children vs. adolescents

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 5.8 million (9.4%) of children in the United States have problems with anxiety. The CDC said roughly one in three of those kids also experience another mental health condition, with 37.9% having behavioral issues and 20.3% having depression. Young children typically do not have the ability to identify and express their emotional concerns, so physical symptoms are the most common presentation of anxiety. 

Recognizing symptoms of anxiety in children can be an important first step in helping support your child and following with mental health guidance from a professional. If your child has trouble processing their worry and fear, they may frequently complain of stomachaches, headaches, or other types of pain without another apparent cause. They may be constantly worried, clingy toward caregivers, have trouble sleeping, throw tantrums, exhibit trouble in school, or be overly self-conscious. 

In adolescents, anxiety symptoms will present differently than in children. They are more likely to internalize their anxiety, which may stem from social anxiety and loneliness, and are more susceptible to depression and major depressive disorder. Teenagers may express their anxiety symptoms as moodiness, social isolation, confrontational behavior, significant changes in eating or sleep habits, decreased school performance, or other out-of-character behaviors. 

Occupation-related mental health disorders

A recent study shows that some professions are more stressful, emotionally demanding, and anxiety-inducing than others. Careers such as paramedics, teachers, police, firefighters, social workers, customer service and call center workers, correctional officers, and air traffic controllers are some of the most physically and psychologically demanding occupations. Many people in these positions often express low job satisfaction. 

Anxiety among minority groups

Mental health experts at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America report that up to 60% of people who identify as LGBTQ+ experience anxiety disorders — which is as high as 2.5 times higher than straight and gender-conforming people. 

Minority stress is anxiety and stress experienced due to race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, or other factors that make one part of a minority group. According to recent studies, minority stress may be situational but is frequently a chronic condition with repeated exposure because it focuses on facets an individual cannot change. 

Professional support and guidance

Speak to your physician or mental healthcare provider about an assessment for an anxiety disorder if:

• You worry to the point that it interferes with your relationships, work, or other areas of your daily life. 
• Your worry, fear, or anxiety are difficult to control and cause substantial distress. 
• Your anxiety symptoms cause depression, difficulties with substance use, or other mental health issues that leave you concerned and distressed. 
• You are worried your anxiety may be causing or linked to physical health problems. 
• You have suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or ideation — this requires immediate treatment. 

Causes and risk factors

While the medical community does not have a single conclusive cause for mental health conditions like anxiety, most mental health professionals believe anxiety disorders develop due to a complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors.

Past experiences, variations in brain chemistry, developmental history, and the body’s response to threats can all influence whether an anxiety disorder occurs. Other possible risk factors may include thyroid problems and other health concerns that impact your hormones.

Risk factors for mental health disorders

• Past trauma, particularly in children who experienced or witnessed abuse or traumatic events. Adults who experience trauma are also at higher risk for anxiety disorders. 
• Serious illnesses and health conditions can cause significant anxiety. 
• The buildup of stress, either from big events or several more minor stressful situations, such as work problems, financial difficulties, and losing a loved one.
• Some personality types and traits tend to have higher anxiety rates. 
• Mental health conditions, such as depression, can create a higher risk for anxiety disorders. 
• Genetics can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Having a blood relative with anxiety can put you at higher risk. 
• Alcohol or substance misuse or withdrawal can cause anxiety symptoms or make them worse. 

By addressing the causes of mental illness, you may be able to relieve symptoms. For example, stress management techniques may help reduce anxiety and minimize unexpected panic attacks. 

Treatments for generalized anxiety disorder

Once you receive an anxiety disorder diagnosis (or a diagnosis for a phobia-related disorder), you can begin a treatment plan. According to a recent study, most treatment plans for anxiety disorders involve psychotherapy (talk therapy), anti-anxiety medication, antidepressant medications, or a combination of approaches. Each of these methods can successfully treat anxiety disorders, including GAD and SAD, and help manage symptoms when used correctly.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most frequently used psychotherapy treatment for anxiety and other mental disorders, focusing on helping patients recognize and reshape thought and behavior patterns to healthier, more productive practices. CBT can be administered to people with anxiety disorders in one-on-one sessions and in support groups.

How therapy can help you manage anxiety disorders 

If you are having trouble managing your anxiety symptoms and want to make meaningful changes to your mental health, consider working with a licensed therapist online through a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp. If you are looking for different solutions to help your child with anxiety, TeenCounseling works with kids from 13 to 19. Therapy can help you identify harmful thought patterns and behaviors that may be linked to your anxiety. You can then work on shifting them to healthier habits with the support and guidance of a qualified therapist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely used treatment for anxiety disorders. According to a recent study, online cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as in-person treatment, often at substantially lower costs with shorter waiting times. In the study, many patients said they preferred virtual therapy due to the convenience of attending from home, making participating in more sessions possible. Medical professionals also reported that the effectiveness and duration of therapeutic outcomes increase with the number of sessions attended by their clients.