Cross Creek Hospital helps children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with anxiety through an unmatched quality of care and support. Located in Austin, TX, Cross Creek is the leading provider of anxiety treatment.

Understanding Anxiety

Learn about anxiety and mental health disorders

Affecting millions of people in the United States, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders that affect the population today. While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, all of them share the same core features: fear and worry. When present, anxiety disorders can cause a great deal of distress and upheaval in an individual’s life. In some instances, people with anxiety disorders may begin to avoid certain people or places because they are afraid it could trigger their symptoms. Additionally, school performance, success at work, and personal relationships may all begin to suffer. Finally, it is also not uncommon for someone with anxiety to struggle with depression or to develop a substance abuse problem in an attempt to control all of their symptoms.

However, while these disorders are very disruptive to an individual’s life, they are also relatively easily conditions to treat. Most anxiety disorders respond very well to therapeutic interventions that provide individuals with better coping skills and the confidence to face their fears head on.

Statistics

Anxiety statistics

It is estimated that, each year, 40 million people in the United States will struggle with some sort of impairment as a result of an anxiety disorder and, unfortunately, only 4 million of those individuals seek and receive treatment. Research has indicated that 1 in 8 adolescents are affected by an anxiety disorder and research has also determined that anxiety disorders are just as common among older adults as they are amongst younger adults.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for anxiety

There can be many reasons why an individual will go on to develop an anxiety disorder. Below is a list of some of the most commonly accepted hypotheses for what can cause an anxiety disorder to develop:

Genetic: It has been widely accepted that anxiety disorders have a genetic influence, meaning that if an individual has a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, he or she is at a higher risk for developing one as well.

Environmental: It has also been suggested that many life experiences and certain environmental factors have the ability to trigger the development of an anxiety disorder in those who have a genetic predisposition for this group of disorders. For example, experiencing a traumatic event, feeling excessive pressure to excel in school, or being constantly exposed to violence can all potentially trigger anxiety disorders.

Risk Factors:

Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
Being female
Enduring abuse or trauma
Having witnessed traumatic events
Having a health condition or serious illness
Inadequate support system
Inept coping skills
Low socioeconomic status
Exposure to chronic stress or violence
Substance abuse

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of anxiety

There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, which means that the signs and symptoms that may be present when an anxiety disorder is afflicting an individual are going to vary. The following is a list of behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms that could indicate that an individual is suffering from an anxiety disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

Avoiding certain people, places, or situations
Procrastination
Social withdrawal or isolation
Restlessness
Pacing
Exaggerated startle response
Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors

Physical symptoms:

Changes in appetite
Breathing rapidly
Stomachaches
Headaches or migraines
Disturbed sleep
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Dizzy feeling
Frequent urination
High blood pressure
Tension in muscles

Cognitive symptoms:

Ritualistic thinking
Cyclical thinking
Unable to make decisions
Trouble concentrating on anything other than present feelings of worry
Fleeting ideas
Memory impairment
Compulsions
Racing thoughts

Psychosocial symptoms:

Feeling detached from surroundings
Feeling nervous
Having a sense of impending danger or doom
Panic
Feeling powerless
Feelings of guilt
Pervasive feelings of nervousness
Unpredictable mood
Derealization

Effects

Effects of anxiety

When you have an anxiety disorder, it can do much more than make you worry. Being in a constant state of worry and fear about everyday situations can lead to a number of other mental and physical health conditions. Furthermore, if anxiety and any potential co-occurring disorders are not treated, it can make life even more challenging. The following effects have a high probability of occurring if a person allows symptoms of anxiety to continue:

Depression
Trouble sleeping
Overall poor quality of life
Poor academic performance
Substance abuse problems
Engagement of self-harming behaviors
Problems with interpersonal relationships
Divorce
Social withdrawal or isolation
Inability to maintain work performance
Loss of employment
Suicidal ideations

Co-Occurring Disorders

Anxiety and co-occurring disorders

Individuals who have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder may also display symptoms of another mental health disorder at the same time. Below is a list of disorders that are known to occur alongside an anxiety disorder