Anxiety is a normal part of life, but for some people it can be overwhelming. It may cause them to avoid certain things and not be able to concentrate on work or school.

Anxiety disorders can be treated successfully with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. But before you can seek treatment, you must understand what anxiety is and how it affects you.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress. But sometimes, that reaction gets out of control and can interfere with your daily life.

Experts don't know what exactly causes anxiety, but it seems to have a lot to do with genetics and brain structure. It can also be brought on by a combination of life's challenges, including traumatic experiences and ongoing stress.

When anxiety isn't treated, it can lead to physical health problems and increase your risk of developing mental illnesses, such as depression. Taking care of yourself and your family can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as can a healthy diet and exercise.

Treatment for anxiety disorders consists of medication and therapy. Talking to a therapist is a good way to get relief from your feelings and learn ways to cope with anxiety in the future.

Symptoms

Most people worry from time to time about something big or scary, but when worries go on for long periods of time, or are accompanied by physical symptoms like trembling or sweating, that’s a sign of an anxiety disorder.

The DSM-5, which is the manual used to diagnose mental illnesses, lists five types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia or social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia and agoraphobia.

GAD is the most common form of anxiety disorder, and causes excessive worrying about everyday activities. It can interfere with work or family life and cause headaches, tension or nausea.

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, involves intense fear and self-consciousness about social interaction. It’s usually caused by irrational worries about humiliation or rejection.

A person with social anxiety disorder may avoid social situations, refuse to participate in class discussions or contribute to group projects and may become isolated. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes and cause chest pain, shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat (palpitations). Agoraphobia is the fear of going to places where you might have a panic attack.

Diagnosis

It's hard to diagnose anxiety in isolation, so a doctor usually takes a full history and physical exam. This will help them find out if there are any other illnesses that might be masking symptoms or causing anxiety.

Your provider will also ask you about how your symptoms affect your daily life. This is important for a correct diagnosis.

They may also give you a psychological evaluation, which involves discussing your thoughts and feelings. They also use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to make a proper diagnosis.

Once diagnosed, treatment options include medication and psychotherapy. Often, a combination of the two works best for anxiety. Other treatments that can ease your symptoms include stress management and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or journaling.

Treatment

Treatments for anxiety include psychotherapy (also known as "talk therapy") and medication. They can help you learn how to control your symptoms and reclaim your life.

You may also try self-help techniques, such as relaxation techniques and stress management. These are often effective but they won't work overnight, so it's important to keep trying them.

Some people with anxiety use herbal remedies, but more research is needed to find out if they help. Some herbs - such as kava, valerian and passionflower - can cause liver damage if you take them regularly.

There are also some medications used to treat anxiety disorders, such as tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines. These drugs will not cure you, but they can provide significant relief from your symptoms.