HEALTH CONDITION

Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is an illness that makes people feel very worried, nervous, and stressed. Often it makes it hard for the person to do daily activities like go to work or school.

There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias, and panic disorder. Treatment options include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes to reduce stress, holistic approaches, and support groups.

If you are struggling with anxiety, know that you are not alone and help is available. Consider talking to your doctor or a mental health professional. Support groups can also be very helpful for getting through the challenges of anxiety. With the right treatment plan, many people find relief from anxiety symptoms and are able to get back to enjoying life.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of anxiety include:
• Feeling nervous, tense, or fearful
• Having a sense of impending danger or panic
• Feeling your heart pounding or racing
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most people feel anxious or nervous at times. But see your healthcare provider if these symptoms happen often, last a long time, or interfere with your ability to function normally. Treatment options are available that can help, like Amazon Clinic telehealth services.
Causes
Anxiety is not a personal weakness or character flaw. While the causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood, there are several possible causes:
• Stressful or traumatic life events like divorce, caring for sick family members, or financial struggles.
• Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
• A mix of genetic and environmental factors.
• Certain physical conditions like thyroid problems and heart arrhythmias (unusual heart rhythms).
Treatment
There are several effective treatments for anxiety, including:
• Self-care measures like learning ways to better manage stress, practicing healthy living habits, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and talking to loved ones.
• For more serious anxiety, treatments can include counseling, medicines, support groups, and psychotherapy.
Some examples of medicines used for anxiety treatment are:
• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Klonopin (clonazepam)
• Buspar (buspirone)
• Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack?
An anxiety attack and a panic attack refer to the same thing - a sudden onset of intense fear, discomfort, and physical symptoms that overwhelms the person. Both terms refer to what doctors technically call a "panic attack."

The main symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack include:
• Racing heartbeat
• Chest pain or tightness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath or hyperventilating
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Feelings of losing control or "going crazy"
These attacks tend to peak within 10 minutes and then start subsiding. Most panic attacks last under 30 minutes. While very distressing, they are not dangerous or life-threatening.

The exact causes are unknown, but panic attacks can be triggered by stress, anxiety, caffeine, some medications, or hormonal changes. Treatment usually involves therapy, stress management, and sometimes medication.
What is social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a strong fear of being judged or embarrassed when around other people. This fear is so strong it sometimes makes it hard for a person to work, attend school, or do normal daily activities. Often, the person avoids public places and has trouble making or keeping friends.

The exact cause is not known, but this problem tends to run in families. Another medical term that means the same thing is social anxiety disorder.

Some common symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:
• Intense fear of social situations like parties, work meetings, or talking to strangers
• Avoiding social situations that cause anxiety
• Physical symptoms when in feared situations like blushing, sweating, trembling, nausea
• Negative thoughts about one's appearance or how others view them
Talk to your doctor if you think you may have social anxiety disorder. They can help diagnose the condition and recommend treatment options like therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety disorder means a child becomes overly fearful and worried when away from caregivers, parents, or home. These worries are much worse than the normal worries a child has when being away from home. It can make it hard for the child to enjoy school and other activities outside of home.

Medical care and counseling can help treat this problem and lesson the child's fear.
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder that involves constant and excessive worrying about many areas of life. People with GAD often feel anxious about everyday situations such as work, relationships, health, and finances.

Some key things to know about GAD:
• Main symptom is excessive, uncontrollable worry about different events and activities in daily life.
• Other common symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, sleep issues.
• The anxiety and worry is out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared event.
• The excessive anxiety, worry and physical symptoms cause significant distress and impairment of daily life.
• GAD often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression.
• Treatment usually involves psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as anti-anxiety medications.
In summary, generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry about everyday situations. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment can help manage GAD.
What are some common anxiety medications?
Some commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include:
• Paroxetine (Paxil) - This is an SSRI antidepressant that is often used to treat anxiety disorders.
• Sertraline (Zoloft) - Another SSRI antidepressant that can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) - This medicine blocks the effects of histamine and can help treat anxiety, itching, and trouble sleeping.
• Clonidine - This medicine can help treat physical anxiety symptoms like rapid heart rate and trembling.
• Buspirone (Buspar) - This non-addictive medication can reduce anxiety levels by affecting certain natural substances in the brain.
Lifestyle changes like exercise, meditation, therapy, and limiting alcohol and caffeine can also help manage anxiety.
What are some natural remedies for anxiety?
Here are some natural remedies that may help with anxiety:
• Get enough sleep - Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Being well-rested can improve mood.
• Exercise and be physically active - Taking a daily walk can help.
• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness. These can activate the relaxation response.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Avoid or limit caffeine intake from coffee, teas, soda and energy drinks. Caffeine can make anxiety worse.
• Talk to a friend, family member or counselor. Sharing feelings with trusted people can help.
While natural remedies may help some, counseling, therapy, support groups or medicines could also be needed for more severe anxiety. Seeking help is important.
How can I calm anxiety in the moment?
Here are some tips that may help calm anxiety in the moment:
• Take slow, deep breaths. Inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds. This controlled breathing activates the relaxation response.
• Go for a brief walk or do some light exercise like stretching. This can help burn off the anxious energy.
• Listen to calming music or soothing nature sounds.
• Try a simple mindfulness exercise to bring your focus to the present moment.
• Talk to a close friend or loved one. Sharing your feelings can help ease anxiety.
• Try sipping a warm cup of caffeine-free tea, which can have a calming effect.
If your anxiety persists or worsens, seek help from a mental health professional. Counseling and/or medication may help manage chronic anxiety.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms like chest pain?
Yes, anxiety can definitely cause physical symptoms like chest pain. When someone experiences anxiety, their body goes into fight-or-flight mode which can lead to a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, and chest pain or tightness. This is caused by a rush of stress hormones like adrenaline. While anxiety-related chest pain can feel scary, it is not dangerous or a sign of a heart attack.

Some other common physical symptoms that can occur with anxiety include:
• Muscle tension or tightness
• Headaches
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Feeling tired and having low energy
• Trouble sleeping
If your anxiety is causing severe or persistent physical symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can help determine if your symptoms are related to anxiety and may recommend therapy, medications, or other treatments to help manage your anxiety. Lifestyle changes like avoiding caffeine, getting regular exercise, and using relaxation techniques like meditation may also help reduce anxiety and physical symptoms.
What is performance anxiety?
Performance anxiety refers to feeling anxious or nervous in situations where you need to perform in front of others, such as public speaking, taking a test, or playing a sport. It's a type of social anxiety focused around a specific performance situation.

Some common symptoms of performance anxiety include:
• Racing heart
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Upset stomach
• Difficulty concentrating
• Negative thoughts about your ability
Things that can help manage performance anxiety include positive self-talk, relaxation techniques like deep breathing, and practicing/preparing thoroughly for the situation. If it becomes very disabling, counseling or therapy may also help.
What is postpartum anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder that can develop in new mothers after giving birth. Some key things to know about postpartum anxiety:
• Main symptoms include feeling worried, anxious, restless, tense, and having panic attacks.
• It's caused by changes in hormones after pregnancy, lack of sleep, and the stresses of caring for a new baby.
• It's different from "normal" worries about being a new mom. The anxiety is more severe and constant.
• It can make it hard to care for yourself and bond with the baby.
• Treatment options include therapy, support groups, medication, and self-care like exercise and meditation.
Postpartum anxiety is common but treatable. Reach out to your doctor if you're struggling with severe anxiety after having a baby. Support and treatment can help you feel better.
How can meditation help with anxiety?
Meditation can be very helpful for managing anxiety. It is a technique that can help relax both the mind and body. Meditation is considered a form of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

Some benefits of using meditation for anxiety include:
• Reducing feelings of stress
• Improving ability to regulate emotional reactions
• Increasing satisfaction with relationships
• Enhancing memory and focus
• Promoting overall physical health
One simple meditation technique to try is a breathing exercise. Find a comfortable position sitting or lying down. Close your eyes and focus on your breath moving in and out. Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. Place your hands on your belly and feel it expand on the inhale and deflate on the exhale. Count slowly to 4 on both the inhale and exhale. Repeat for 8-10 cycles.

Aim for 5-10 minutes of meditation daily to help lower anxiety levels. It gets easier with practice. Guided meditations can also help when first starting out.

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