Updated on May 1, 2024.
All people feel stress. You may feel stressed when you must do something new or hard. This feeling can help you face tough situations and get things done. But if your stress always feels like too much it may be a problem. If it stops you from doing things or if it never eases up, it may be a condition called an anxiety disorder.
The number of people with an anxiety disorder is increasing. Some people are more likely to have an anxiety disorder than others, including:
- People who experienced trauma in the past
- People who went through a divorce
- People whose spouse (wife or husband) or partner has died
- People with a lot of money stress or problems
- People with a close family member who has an anxiety disorder or another mental health condition
Anxiety disorders affect people of color and women more often than other groups. Worries about money, safety, and health are often involved.
Anxiety disorders can cause some symptoms in the body, including:
- Fast heartbeat
- Upset stomach
- Sweating
- Feeling out of breath
- Tense muscles
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Trouble concentrating
Other signs that could mean someone has an anxiety disorder include:
- Fast-moving thoughts
- Having the same thoughts over and over
- Worrying a lot on most days of the week for six months or more
Don’t wait six months to get help. Make an appointment with a healthcare provider (HCP) near you. Your HCP can decide if you need medication for anxiety.
You may also be connected to another HCP who is trained to treat anxiety. Talk therapy can also help. It can teach you new ways to think about things. It can also help you respond differently to things that upset you.
Sometimes medications take time to start working. You may also need to try different treatments to find out what helps you. Tell your HCP if you have side effects or if your symptoms get worse after you start a new medication.
There are some things you can do during a stressful time that can quickly help you feel calmer, including:
- Cool your body down or splash cold water on your face.
- Do some strenuous exercise. This can reduce tension. It can also cause the brain to release chemicals that help you feel better.
- Try to take slow deep breaths until you feel your body relax.
