Anxiety Disorder Due To Another Medical Condition

Medical conditions can alter a person’s biochemistry and balance of hormones and neurochemicals, often leading to anxiety. When symptoms interfere with daily life function, cause substantial distress, and persist for over two weeks, they may indicate an anxiety disorder caused by an underlying medical condition. In more severe cases, some may develop panic disorder and suffer from intense panic attacks due to heightened anxiety.

Anxiety may not look the same for everyone. Below are a few ways to recognize anxiety symptoms commonly associated with anxiety. 

Psychological symptoms

Psychological symptoms may include an overwhelming sense of impending danger or doom, difficulty relaxing, “brain fog,” difficulty concentrating, trouble thinking, mood swings, irritation, nervousness, and challenges in controlling worry. 

Physical symptoms 

Physical symptoms may include muscle tension or pain, headaches, stomachaches, shortness of breath, hyperventilation or other trouble breathing, sweating, trembling, neck pain, increased heart rate, or fatigue. 

Behavioral symptoms 

Behavioral symptoms involve changing behavioral patterns to avoid stressors and situations that may incite anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and shifts in eating patterns. 

Anxiety symptoms in children and teens

Children and adolescents may not demonstrate the same anxiety symptoms as adults. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found approximately 9.4% of American children experience anxiety. In addition to the typical symptoms, children and teens may demonstrate anxiety in the following ways: 

• Showing excessive fear when away from parents or caregivers
• Demonstrating intense fear related to specific situations like dogs, bugs, swimming, or the doctor
• Exhibiting intense fear and social anxiety about interactions with others
• Overwhelming dread or worry about the future or terrible disasters 
• Repeated incidents of extreme, sudden fear accompanying physical symptoms like a racing heart, trouble breathing, shakiness, or sweatiness 
• Difficulty sleeping, headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue 

If you have noticed anxiety symptoms in yourself or a loved one and believe they may be due to an underlying medical condition, contact your physician or primary care provider to schedule an evaluation. One of the first steps of the mental health diagnostic process is ruling out potential comorbid³ conditions that could be causing symptoms, and steps can be taken to treat the underlying disorder or illness.

Researchers in the mental health field have not identified a singular cause for anxiety disorders. Often, this branch of mental health conditions is believed to develop due to the complex interaction of genetic, environmental, developmental, and psychological factors. 

Medical issues linked to anxiety

Below are some medical conditions and symptoms that may lead to anxiety disorders: 

• Heart disease
• Thyroid conditions like hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Alcohol or substance use or withdrawal
• Respiratory disorders, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Rare tumors producing specific hormones and neurochemicals
• Withdrawal from benzodiazepines or other medications
• Chronic pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
• Side effects of certain medications

There are several indicators that show a relation between illness and anxiety disorders rather than occurring due to more typical causes, including but not limited to the following: 

• There are no genetic connections with a history of anxiety disorders. 
• The individual had no anxiety disorders as a child. 
• The client doesn’t make behavioral changes to avoid situations due to anxiety. 
• The appearance of anxiety seems unrelated to current life events, and there is no previous history of anxiety disorders. 

Causes of general anxiety 

Researchers have identified several factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing an anxiety disorder. While they may not all apply to anxiety disorders due to a medical condition, it can help to understand what can contribute to anxiety: 

• Previous traumatic experiences
• Alcohol or substance use disorders
• Stress due to, or about, illness
• Personality traits
• Buildup of stress
• Comorbid mental health disorders
• Genetic relatives with anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable mental health conditions. While each disorder has its own symptoms and treatments, comprehensive treatment plans often involve psychotherapy, medication, practical coping skills, and lifestyle changes—or a combination of these interventions. 

Medication

Mental health medications target a person’s brain chemicals, helping them regulate emotional and cognitive patterns by balancing neurochemistry. 

Some antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are used to treat anxiety. In some circumstances, healthcare providers may prescribe benzodiazepines for short-term relief of symptoms only. Beta blockers may also be used in some cases, but evidence for their use is limited. Only medical doctors, including psychiatrists, can prescribe pharmaceutical aids. Consult your primary care physician before starting, changing, or stopping a medication.

Other treatment options

In addition to therapy and medication, various other treatment options allow a person to enhance the benefits of their mental health plan, including but not limited to the following: 

• Relaxation techniques: It may be valuable to practice relaxation techniques like cultivating an attitude of mindfulness, positive thinking, visualization, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques.
• Herbal and dietary supplements: Herbal and dietary supplements are often suggested as treatments to reduce anxiety. However, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t monitor and regulate these substances like medication, and some supplements or herbal remedies may not be safe for consumption. Talk to a healthcare provider before starting any herbal or dietary supplements. 

Practical, productive coping skills can be one of the most effective ways to manage anxiety symptoms, regardless of the causes. Below are a few tips for using coping mechanisms: 

• Self-education: Educate yourself about the disorder and the underlying medical condition causing your symptoms. Explore how the anxiety symptoms affect your mood and behavior and your options for treatment. 
• Following your treatment plan: Attend scheduled therapy appointments, take medication as directed, and use the skills learned in therapy to manage symptoms and reduce their impact on daily life. 
• Understanding inciting factors: Identify what often incites your anxiety and stress symptoms, as well as coping skills that help you navigate stressful situations and anxious feelings. 
• Journaling: Keep track of your feelings and experiences with a daily journal. Writing about what you feel can be therapeutic, as you must think about your emotions to write about them. This tactic can also help you track your anxiety and which coping skills helped you get through the situation. 
• Support groups: Join a support group to speak with others experiencing similar situations and difficulties. Individuals often appreciate support groups as a robust source of understanding, compassion, and shared experiences.

Self-care

Taking proper care of one’s mental, physical, and emotional health can safeguard one’s overall well-being and provide the energy and resilience to face and overcome stressors. Below are a few forms of self-care to try: 

• Exercise: Routine physical activity on most days of the week can be a powerful stress reduction method, offering a natural way to boost mood, improve health, and manage anxiety symptoms. 
• Healthy eating: Eat a balanced diet to increase energy and strength. Emerging data shows a connection between anxiety and a diet centered on fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains.  
• Avoiding substances: Avoid using alcohol and recreational drugs as coping mechanisms. Substances can increase the severity of anxiety symptoms. In addition, it may be helpful to stop smoking and reduce caffeine consumption. 
• Sleep hygiene: Practice healthy sleep hygiene. According to the CDC, going to sleep and waking up at roughly the same time daily can improve health and reduce anxiety or stress levels. 

Therapy can be a way to expand emotional intelligence, awareness, and literacy to better identify, understand, and communicate feelings with others. Consider working with a licensed therapist to reduce the impact of anxiety disorders. If you face barriers to in-person support, you can also try an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. Online treatment offers qualified mental health services from the comfort and convenience of home. 

In addition to therapy, other resources may help you manage anxiety, including the following: 

• The National Institute of Mental Health hosts a webpage detailing various avenues of support for mental illnesses. 
• Find various resources and information on mental health conditions at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). 
• Discover government clinical trials focused on anxiety disorders at clinicaltrials.gov.
• Veterans may experience anxiety in certain situations after returning to civilian life. Former service members experiencing difficulty regulating their emotions and controlling anxiety can contact Veterans Affairs (VA) for mental health services. 
• The ADAA offers a webpage to search for local and online support groups. Some people with anxiety may find speaking with others experiencing similar issues helpful. 
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can be a way to find support services in your area. 

For help with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Researchers in a 2017 study reported growing evidence that anxiety disorders are associated with various medical conditions. In addition to comorbid mental and medical health conditions, the data shows there may be underlying causal mechanisms at work. According to the study’s findings, anxiety disorders are disproportionately prevalent among people with general medical conditions.

Older adults may face a higher risk for anxiety disorders due to medical conditions, according to a 2018 study. People over the age of 65 may experience difficulties with physical health problems and cognitive impairment, both of which can cause neurochemical imbalances and may cause anxiety symptoms. Researchers stated that older adults are often less likely to receive anxiety disorder treatment, which can present challenges for patient outcomes, detection, and treatment of late-life anxiety disorders. 

A 2015 study also indicated evidence of a link between the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms alongside the presence of medical health conditions. With a sampling of nearly 1,000 study participants, the results showed a strong association between more severe mental health symptoms and an increasing number of medical conditions. Anxiety symptoms were associated with ulcers, and the odds of having medical conditions like asthma, migraine headaches, heart disease, ulcers, back problems, and eyesight trouble increased with the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. 

40 million US adults are living with an anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the US, affecting 19.1% of the population, or 40 million adults. ¹

¹Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Below are more key statistics on anxiety disorders: 

• Data from a 2020 study indicates that between 60% and 85% of individuals living with anxiety disorders respond to treatment, showing at least a 50% reduction in symptoms. 
• From August 2020 to February 2021, the CDC reported an increase in US adults with symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder from 36.4% to 41.5%.
• According to data from a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) survey, approximately 37% of people living with an anxiety disorder worldwide receive treatment, indicating the need for broader, more affordable access, particularly in lower-income countries.