What Happens When You Have Anxiety?

Anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as a fast heartbeat and sweating. It’s a normal response to feeling threatened or worried about something, but if you feel like your anxiety is lasting and getting in the way of everyday life it may be time to see your doctor.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose an anxiety disorder if they think you have one.

You and your doctor will work together to find a treatment plan that works for you. This may involve medication and psychotherapy. It could also include dietary changes and exercise.

Medication for Anxiety

Medicines such as antidepressants can help to control your symptoms by changing the way your brain works. They can also help to reduce stress and boost your mood.

If you have an anxiety disorder, you and your health care provider will decide on the right medication for you based on your specific medical situation. They will also work closely with you to make sure that you don’t take any substances that aggravate your symptoms or interact with your prescribed medicines.

Talking about your feelings can help. This can be a scary thing to do, but talking with someone who understands your problems is the best way to get the support you need.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can help you change the way you think about your symptoms and reframe them to make them more manageable. You can do this by learning new ways of thinking about your fears and anxieties. This is called ‘desensitisation’ and can be part of a more comprehensive treatment plan that also includes medication and other strategies such as exercise.

Your doctor will ask about your social and family history, and if you have any physical health issues such as heart disease or a chronic condition. They will also ask you about any medications you are taking and whether any of them have been helpful in the past for your symptoms.

There are a range of different types of treatment for anxiety disorders and each is unique. The most effective treatment is a combination of medication and therapy.

Anxiety can be triggered by genetics and environmental factors such as stressful situations, trauma and poor life choices. It can also be triggered by chemical imbalances in the brain, which can result in long-lasting or severe stress.

The symptoms of a panic attack can be very similar to those of a heart attack, so anyone who suffers from sudden chest pain that they are worried might be a heart attack should go to the emergency room and have their blood checked. This will tell a cardiologist that they are dealing with an anxiety attack, rather than a heart attack.

They will then ask you if you have ever had a panic attack before, and they can ask you to give them a list of your symptoms. This will allow your cardiologist to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to treat the panic attack that you are having.