Understanding anxiety: causes, types and treatment options
Anxiety - the next global pandemic?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 264 million people worldwide had anxiety disorders in 2019, making it the most prevalent mental health disorder globally. Additionally, the WHO reports that anxiety disorders are more common in females than males, with a ratio of 1.5:1.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on anxiety levels, with many individuals experiencing heightened levels of stress and worry. A survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 53% of adults in the United States reported that their mental health had been negatively impacted due to stress related to the pandemic.
Certain groups have been more affected by pandemic-related anxiety than others. For example, healthcare workers and first responders have faced increased levels of stress and anxiety due to their heightened exposure to COVID-19. Additionally, individuals with preexisting mental health conditions and those who have experienced financial hardship or job loss during the pandemic have also been at higher risk for anxiety. Finally, children and adolescents may also be experiencing higher levels of anxiety due to disruptions in their education and social lives.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and nervousness. It is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes such as increased blood pressure. People with anxiety experience persistent worrying and catastrophic thinking about everyday situations and often feel like they are not in control of their lives. This can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing. Anxiety can also lead to avoidance behaviours that can interfere with everyday activities such as work or socializing.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and specific phobias. GAD involves persistent worrying about various topics such as finances or family issues; Panic Disorder involves feelings of terror or fear that come on suddenly; SAD involves intense fear in social situations; Agoraphobia involves fear of leaving home due to worries about having a panic attack in public; PTSD involves flashbacks or re-experiencing traumatic events; specific phobias involve intense fear around certain objects or situations such as spiders or heights.
Managing Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be an effective treatment option for managing anxiety disorders by helping individuals identify negative thought patterns that lead to anxious feelings and then replacing those thoughts with more realistic ones instead. Other techniques for dealing with anxiety include mindfulness meditation practices which focus on being present in the moment rather than worrying about future events; exercise which helps release endorphins which help reduce stress levels; deep breathing exercises which help regulate the body’s response to stressful situations; and talking to friends or family members who can provide emotional support during difficult times.
Anxiety is a normal emotion experienced by everyone at some point in their life but if it becomes chronic it can be classified as a mental health condition that requires professional help for treatment. Fortunately there are several treatment options available including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness meditation practices and lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms so people suffering from anxiety can live healthy productive lives free from unnecessary worry and stress.
…Read more about our approach to treating anxiety and panic conditions.
References:
World Health Organization. (2021). Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/depression-global-health-estimates
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19. https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/mental-health-impacts-of-covid-19-apa-survey-shows-fears-about-health-and-finances-higher-among-people-of-color
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). COVID-19 and Your Mental Health. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html