Anxiety - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common human emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Nearly everyone experiences some anxiety in their life.

When anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the category of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health concern in the United States, affecting over 19% of adults each year.

Symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety can cause both mental and physical symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger or doom
• Increased heart rate
• 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

Types of anxiety disorders

Some common types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Difficulty controlling the worry. Common physical symptoms of this type include:
  • Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
  • Easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating or "the mind going blank"
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbances
• Social anxiety disorder: Intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated or rejected in social or performance situations. People may avoid certain social situations.
• Panic disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear that reaches a peak within minutes. The frequency or intensity of panic help determine the diagnosis. Panic attacks often occur in phobic situations.

Treatments for anxiety disorders

Treatment options for anxiety disorders include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Aims to change negative thinking patterns and develop coping strategies and healthy behaviors. The research supports CBT as an effective first-line treatment for anxiety disorders.
• Medications: Often prescribed are anti-anxiety drugs (such as benzodiazepines) or antidepressants that also help certain anxiety disorders. The hormone cortisol (our stress hormone) also plays a key role in anxiety. If your naturopathic doctor detects imbalances in cortisol, specific adaptogenic herbs and lifestyle changes may help reduce anxiety symptoms.
• Other therapies like mindfulness, meditation, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes like better sleep and nutrition may also help.

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but treatments and self-help strategies are available to lessen symptoms and take control back of your life! Don't suffer in silence, help and support exists.