Normal Worry vs. Clinical Anxiety
Just like sadness, happiness, or boredom, worry is a normal part of the human experience. Everyone experiences worry on occasion, especially when faced with stressful situations like a big job interview, a first date, or a public speaking engagement.
Signs of Normal Worry:
Limited to a specific concern
Generally somewhat realistic and rational
Temporary in nature, subsiding as the stressor resolves
Doesn’t cause significant disruption to your daily life
Doesn’t cause major distress
Clinical anxiety, on the other hand, is more than just feeling worried every now and then. Anxiety disorders are serious mental health conditions which interfere with our ability to function and lead to significant distress. People who experience anxiety disorders may find their lives marked by excessive worry, fear, apprehension, and distress. They may feel powerless to control their worry.
Signs of Clinical Anxiety:
Worry may be generalized and all-encompassing, spanning various aspects of life (work, school, politics)
Worry may be severe, exaggerated, unrealistic, and catastrophic
Prolonged, persistent, or constant in nature
May be accompanied by physical sensations such as racing heart, upset stomach, or sweatiness
Significantly limits your ability to function
Causes significant distress
How common is anxiety?
As a group, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting millions of people each and every year. According to data from the National Comorbidity Survey, anxiety disorders impact almost 1 in every 3 Americans at some point in their lifetime.
Anxiety disorders can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. With that said, certain factors, such as female gender or a family history, may increase someone’s risk for developing an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety is not a “one size fits all” condition. Each person’s experience with anxiety will be somewhat different, however, some common symptoms of anxiety include:
Excessive worrying about various aspects of life (work, family, relationships)
Rumination (“overthinking”)
Seeking reassurance
Catastrophizing (“thinking the worst”)
Restlessness or feeling “on edge”
Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Physical symptoms (i.e. muscle tension, headaches, racing heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, upset stomach)
Anxiety Disorders
There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, each characterized by a unique set of symptoms. Some of these include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Illness Anxiety Disorder
What causes anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are complex conditions without one clear cause. Biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors may all play a role.
Dr. Betterly completes a thorough comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to identify factors that are relevant to your situation. This allows her to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that is tailored to you as a unique individual. As a physician, Dr. Betterly has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the ways in which our physical health can impact our mental health.
Some potential contributing factors may include:
Biological
Family history and genetics
Neurotransmitter imbalances
Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause)
Medical conditions (i.e. hyperthyroidism)
Psychological
Stressful life events (grief, loss, relationship problems, transitions)
Negative thinking patterns
Personality traits
Social
Isolation
Financial stress
Treatment for Anxiety
When it comes to treatment for anxiety, there is no “one size fits all”. Each anxiety disorder is different, as is each individual. With that said, common treatments for anxiety may include:
Prescription medications
Therapy
Lifestyle changes
Dr. Betterly takes a personalized approach to develop a treatment plan that considers your unique needs and preferences. As a board-certified psychiatrist, she has extensive experience with treating various types of anxiety disorders.
Learn more about anxiety
Dr. Holly Betterly is committed to educating her patients about their mental health, encouraging them to play an active role in their psychiatric care. She empowers her patients by sharing the knowledge and expertise that she has gained through over a decade of training.
She maintains a mental health education blog, Better Together, which features articles on timely topics in psychiatry, as well as answers to your mental health questions- straight from a trusted psychiatrist!
Check out some of Dr. Betterly’s latest articles about anxiety:
