Anxiety is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, and unease that can interfere with a person’s ability to function. Common symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep. In serious cases, anxiety can lead to panic attacks and overwhelming feelings of dread. While anxiety can feel overwhelming, help is available.
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan, we offer comprehensive services for adolescents ages 12-17, adults, and senior adults who are struggling with anxiety. Anxiety is a treatable condition, and with the right care and support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and regain control of your life.
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
While anxiety is a natural response to stress, a person may have an anxiety disorder if their symptoms become persistent or overwhelming. It’s important to seek professional help if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive worry: A hallmark of anxiety is constant, uncontrollable worry, even about minor or everyday concerns.
- Restlessness: Individuals who have anxiety often feel on edge or unable to relax, which may manifest as fidgeting or an inability to sit still.
- Fatigue: Chronic anxiety can be exhausting, even if the person hasn’t been physically active. It’s common to feel tired or mentally drained if you are struggling with anxiety.
- Difficulty concentrating: Anxiety can interfere with the ability to focus, as the mind may constantly race with worries or intrusive thoughts.
- Irritability: Anxiety may lead to heightened sensitivity and irritability, making it harder to manage emotions or handle stress.
- Muscle tension: Physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension, clenched jaws, and stiff necks, are common and can cause discomfort or pain.
- Sleep disturbances: Anxiety often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep or waking up feeling unrefreshed.
- Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath: Physical symptoms like a racing heart, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath can occur, especially during panic attacks.
- Avoidance behavior: People who struggle with anxiety may begin to avoid situations that trigger their anxious feelings, which can interfere with their daily routines and social life.
Anxiety Statistics
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults, but only 43.2% receive treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected, and GAD often occurs alongside major depression.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to our team today to learn about the benefits of anxiety treatment and how we can help you feel like yourself again.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety can be triggered by a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and biological factors. Common causes of anxiety include:
- Genetics: Anxiety disorders often run in families. If someone has a family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions, they may be more likely to develop anxiety themselves.
- Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, can affect how the brain regulates mood and anxiety. Disruptions in these chemicals may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
- Trauma or stress: Major life events, such as the death of a loved one, a significant relationship change, job loss, or experiencing trauma (such as abuse or witnessing a disaster) can trigger anxiety. Ongoing stress, such as financial difficulties or work pressures, can also contribute to long-term anxiety.
- Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as heart disease, thyroid problems, and chronic pain, can lead to anxiety symptoms. Additionally, anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications.
- Substance abuse: Drug and alcohol use, or withdrawal from these substances, can either worsen existing anxiety or lead to the development of an anxiety disorder.
- Childhood experiences: Early life experiences, such as growing up in an environment of uncertainty, neglect, or conflict, can increase the risk for developing anxiety later in life. Children exposed to high levels of stress or instability may have an increased vulnerability to anxiety.
- Environmental factors: Factors like chronic stress, living in unsafe environments, and being exposed to excessive noise or pollution can all contribute to heightened anxiety.
Understanding the underlying causes of anxiety can help individuals identify their triggers and seek appropriate treatment, whether it be through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
At our anxiety treatment center, we work with each patient to provide holistic care that addresses their mental, social, emotional, and physical needs so that they can build a solid foundation for healing.
Potential Effects of Untreated Anxiety
Untreated anxiety can have a profound impact on various aspects of a person’s life, both physically and mentally. Over time, the effects of anxiety can worsen, leading to more severe consequences.
Common effects of untreated anxiety include:
- Physical health problems: Anxiety can cause chronic physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension, and fatigue. Untreated anxiety may contribute to more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system.
- Mental health decline: Prolonged anxiety can increase the risk for developing other mental health disorders, such as depression. Individuals may also have increased feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and irritability, which can contribute to a cycle of negative thinking and worsen anxiety symptoms.
- Sleep disturbances: Chronic anxiety often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or poor sleep quality. This can result in constant fatigue, difficulty focusing, and irritability, which may compound the effects of anxiety and impair daily functioning.
- Substance abuse: Some people may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with anxiety symptoms. Substance abuse can lead to addiction and other serious health concerns and ultimately worsen anxiety.
- Relationship strain: Anxiety can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships with family members, friends, and partners. Constant worry, irritability, or avoidance behaviors may lead to misunderstandings or conflict, causing emotional distance and weakening social connections.
- Poor work or academic performance: Anxiety can interfere with a person’s ability to concentrate, meet deadlines, and fulfill work or academic responsibilities. Over time, this can lead to poor performance, absenteeism, or the inability to keep up with tasks, which may affect career or educational goals.
- Avoidance of social situations: Untreated anxiety may lead to social withdrawal, causing individuals to avoid situations or places that trigger their anxious feelings. This can result in isolation, loneliness, and difficulty building or maintaining social connections.
- Panic attacks: Left untreated, anxiety can escalate to frequent panic attacks, which are sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. These attacks can be debilitating and lead to a fear of future episodes.
Overall, untreated anxiety can lead to a diminished quality of life. Individuals may miss out on opportunities, avoid new experiences, and struggle to enjoy daily activities due to constant worry and fear.
Don’t delay in asking for the help you need. Seeking treatment for anxiety is essential, as early intervention can prevent symptoms from worsening. With professional support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and lead a healthier, less stressful life.
Benefits of Anxiety Treatment
Treatment for anxiety provides numerous advantages, significantly enhancing both mental and physical well-being. One of the primary benefits is the reduction of symptoms, such as excessive worry, fear, and physical discomfort like restlessness and a racing heart. Therapy, medications, or a combination of both can bring anxiety under control, making it easier to manage day-to-day life.
Moreover, addressing anxiety can boost overall health. Reducing the strain of anxiety improves sleep patterns, lessens muscle tension, and decreases the risk for related conditions like depression. Effective treatment can also help individuals regain focus and improve decision-making, resulting in better performance at work, school, or home. In personal relationships, treatment can alleviate irritability and reduce conflict, enabling more effective communication and deeper connections with loved ones.
Additionally, therapy can help individuals develop valuable coping strategies to manage anxiety triggers, reduce avoidance behaviors, and deal with stress in healthier ways. Early treatment can prevent anxiety from worsening and reduce a person’s risk for substance abuse.
Ultimately, anxiety treatment can help individuals engage in activities they may have previously avoided and experience a greater sense of relaxation and joy. Seeking professional help can provide people with the tools they need to address anxiety and work toward long-term healing.
If you are suffering from symptoms of anxiety, take the first brave step toward a more fulfilling life by contacting our team today. We can explain the benefits of anxiety treatment and help you chart a path to a brighter future.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital.