Anxiety

Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Anxiety disorders are different: the anxiety does not go away, shows up in many situations, and can get worse over time. Types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobia-related disorders. About one in three U.S. adolescents and adults has an anxiety disorder at some point in life (NIMH).

Anxiety can feel like a constant hum of worry, a sense of dread, or being “on edge.” Your body may join in with a racing heart, tight muscles, or a churning stomach. Some people avoid places or people that set it off, and over time life can get smaller.

Ongoing worry (generalized anxiety): feeling restless or on edge, getting tired easily, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping, along with worry that is hard to control and happens more days than not for six months or more.

Panic attacks: sudden waves of intense fear with a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, trouble breathing, dizziness, tingling, chest pain, or nausea. They usually peak within about 10 minutes. Most last 5 to 20 minutes, and some last up to an hour. A panic attack is not dangerous in itself, but if you have chest pain, get medical care to be safe.

Anxiety disorders are treatable. Talk therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure-based approaches, and sometimes medication can help (NIMH). Slow breathing, regular movement, enough sleep, and, for some people, cutting back on caffeine may also ease symptoms. See our Tools for calming practices.

Please reach out if worry or fear is hard to control, keeps you from things you want or need to do, or comes with panic attacks. A doctor can also check for physical causes that can look like anxiety.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Anxiety Disorders
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Panic Disorder