Signs of anxiety can start at any age, meaning that even if you don’t have symptoms when you’re an adolescent or young adult, you can still develop an anxiety disorder. Anxiety-related disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Each year, more than 18% of Americans struggle with anxiety. While anxiety-related conditions and disorders impact a significant number of people annually, most people who are struggling with anxiety don’t reach out for help.
While everyone experiences anxiety, when you have an anxiety disorder, symptoms interfere with your daily life. When left untreated, anxiety disorders can cause disabling complications that can prevent you from living a healthy, normal life.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders cause severe symptoms that can make it difficult to work or go to school. There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Social anxiety
- Phobias
- Panic attack disorder
Signs of anxiety can occur after major life changes or trauma or can develop spontaneously. Sometimes, signs of anxiety can include things like panic attacks. Panic attacks have a sudden onset and can make you feel like you can’t breathe, which can increase your anxiety. When you experience panic attacks, your anxiety can cause you to worry about having another attack, which can cause you to avoid situations and environments that trigger your anxiety.
Other common signs of anxiety include constantly worrying about things or avoiding other people because of your anxiety. Even if you realize or recognize that your anxiety is irrational, it doesn’t alleviate your symptoms. Other signs of anxiety can include isolating from others or avoiding social activities, which can sometimes serve as a trigger. Anxiety disorders can also cause depression, especially if you are isolating from others or have difficulty leaving your home. Symptoms and signs of anxiety get progressively worse until you receive treatment.
How Anxiety Disorders are Treated
Anxiety disorders won’t get better without treatment. When you experience signs of anxiety, it’s important to find help immediately. Anxiety and panic attacks can require emergency treatment, making it imperative to learn how to better manage your symptoms and triggers.
Unless your anxiety is creating severe symptoms, treatment usually occurs in an outpatient setting. Evidence-based treatments, which include individual therapy and medications, can help reduce and alleviate your symptoms. Since medications can take several weeks to become fully effective, it’s important to add therapy to your treatment routine. Individual counseling provides a safe and supportive environment to express troubling or embarrassing thoughts and feelings.
Evidence-based treatments, like cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy, can help you identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Another benefit of cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy is that it can empower you. Understanding that you can control how you respond to triggers and stress can improve your self-awareness and problem-solving skills. During treatment, you will work with your mental health professional to develop a strong treatment plan and work to identify your triggers and stressors.
Understanding what your triggers are is important because it helps you develop healthy coping strategies. Techniques like deep breathing and meditation can help reduce anxiety while sharing your problems with a therapist can make it easier to deal with your symptoms.
Find Help At Right Step Houston
If you or a loved one is showing signs of anxiety, finding treatment is the first step in your recovery. Left neglected, anxiety disorders can make your life unmanageable. Anxiety disorder treatment can help reduce your symptoms and help you regain control over your life. To find out more about common signs of anxiety and our anxiety disorder treatment programs, call Right Step Houston today at 1.844.768.0169.