Anxiety signals our body's defense system to prepare for danger. But some people develop anxiety disorders that interfere with their daily lives and make it hard to function.

The best treatments for anxiety are psychotherapy and medications. These treatments can be given alone or in combination.

Symptoms

Many people experience occasional feelings of anxiety when they have a stressful life event, such as moving house, getting a new job or having financial trouble. But when these feelings become more frequent or don’t go away, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder.

In addition to feeling anxious, a person with an anxiety disorder will also have persistent fears or worries that are difficult to control and interfere with their daily life. The symptoms of an anxiety disorder vary from person to person, but some are more common than others.

Some of the most common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia and panic disorder. Other types include specific phobias, substance-induced anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.

Diagnosis

Anxiety disorders are complex conditions with multiple physical and psychological symptoms that can make diagnosis a challenge. The most common symptom is persistent, excessive fear or worry that doesn't go away or worsens over time.

A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed clinical social worker, can diagnose anxiety disorders. They can also help you find a treatment plan for your unique symptoms.

Diagnosis usually starts with a medical history and physical exam. It can also include blood tests and a complete medical review.

The doctor will look at your reported symptoms and compare them to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition in which you worry about things that don't really matter to you on most days, for 6 months or longer. Your worries may be irrational and unfounded, but they get in the way of your life.

Treatment

If you have an anxiety disorder, treatment can help you get back to living a normal life. A doctor can prescribe medication or a mental health professional can treat your symptoms with psychotherapy.

In many cases, the best therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to identify and challenge your negative thoughts that cause anxiety. It also helps you learn skills to confront your fears and reframe them in a positive way.

CBT also involves exposure therapy, where you gradually face situations that make you anxious so you can practice coping with them. This can be very effective for phobias or other forms of anxiety.

Your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants, which are used to treat depression in people with anxiety disorders. These medications work by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain.

Prevention

Anxiety is a natural response to real or perceived threats, which can involve physical and behavioral changes. However, if anxiety is chronic and excessive, it may become a problem.

Some forms of anxiety can be prevented through behavioral and social strategies. These include avoiding situations that cause anxiety, changing thoughts about stress and learning to cope with feelings of stress in purposeful ways.

In a study, researchers found that people who had high levels of physical activity were less likely to develop anxiety symptoms or disorders than those who did not exercise as much.

Similarly, a program to prevent anxiety called FRIENDS has shown some success as a school-based treatment. It involves introducing participants to a variety of stressors and helping them learn to respond in healthy ways.

Preventive mental health programs can have many benefits, including a reduction in distress, costs and stigma associated with anxiety disorder. These programs often target populations that are at a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders, such as children and adolescents.