What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal part of being alive, and most people will experience anxiety at times. It can happen when you’re nervous or worried about something, such as a test, a big event or a loved one’s health.

Your body usually reacts to a threat or danger by producing stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help you cope with a threat, but when these feelings of danger continue for a long time, they can interfere with your life and make you feel anxious.

Sometimes you can learn to manage your anxiety by avoiding certain people, places and situations that trigger it. However, this can be a short-term strategy and it’s better to get treatment so you no longer need to avoid things.

Other common symptoms of anxiety include a change in your mood, difficulty concentrating or memory problems and trouble sleeping. These can all affect how you live your life and you might need to see a doctor if they’re bothering you too much or interfering with your everyday life.

Symptoms of anxiety can be difficult to distinguish from other physical symptoms, so it’s important to have a full medical exam. Your doctor may be able to find out whether you have an underlying condition that is making your symptoms worse, such as asthma or diabetes.

Risk factors for anxiety disorders can be genetic, environmental or both. Having a family history of mental illness is one of the biggest risks, along with ongoing stressful events such as job and housing stress, relationship problems and grief or loss.

A chemical imbalance in the brain can also be a reason for anxiety. For example, having a thyroid problem or other chronic health conditions can increase your chances of developing an anxiety disorder.

Childhood sexual abuse, especially sexual abuse during childhood, is also a common cause of anxiety disorders later in life. Some types of trauma, such as a car accident or war, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Anxiety is more common in women than in men, but both sexes are affected. A person’s genes can play a role in how likely they are to develop an anxiety disorder, but there are things you can do to reduce your chances of it occurring.

There are many treatments for anxiety disorders, including antidepressants and talk therapy. These medications can help you improve your mood, manage your anxiety and reduce symptoms such as anxiety attacks.

They can also give you new strategies to deal with your worries and anxieties. For instance, you could try mindfulness meditation or a support group where you can share your thoughts and fears with others.

The medication you choose will depend on your particular symptoms and the kind of anxiety disorder you have. Your doctor will work with you to decide what is the best choice for you.

Some of the most common medications used to treat anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, escitalopram and paroxetine. Other SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, are also used.