In anxiety disorders, feelings of anxiety are of such an extent and long-lasting that they can interfere with daily activities such as work, studies and relationships. There are several different types of anxiety disorders.

Types and Symptoms of Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves excessive anxiety or worry for months and symptoms include:

Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on †edge
Difficulty concentrating or your mind goes blank
Becoming fatigued easily
Irritability
Muscle tension
Difficulty in managing or controlling your worry
Problems sleeping, such as difficulty staying asleep, falling to sleep or lack of sound sleep

Panic Disorder is marked by recurring unpredictable panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear that could include sweating, heart palpitations, acceleration or pounding, sweating; shakiness or trembling; feeling short of breath, smothering or choking; and a feeling of impending doom. The symptoms of panic disorder include:

Sudden and recurring attacks of intense fear
Feelings of loss of control during a panic attack
Intense worries about the onset of the next attack
Avoidance or fear of places where past panic attacks occurred

Social Anxiety Disorder is also known as social phobia and is characterized by a fear of social or performance situations in which sufferers expect to feel embarrassed, judged, rejected, or fearful of offending others. Symptoms include:

Intense anxiety about being around other people and having a hard time communicating with them
Acute self-consciousness in front of others and worry about feeling embarrassed, humiliated, or rejected, or a fear of offending people
Worry that other people will judge you
Apprehension for days or weeks before an event
Avoiding places where other people are
Difficulty making and keeping friends
Sweating, trembling or blushing around other people
Feeling nauseous when people are around you

Risk Factors of Anxiety Disorder

It is believed that genetic and environmental factors – often in interaction with each other- are risk factors for anxiety disorders. Some specific risk factors are:

Childhood shyness
Anxiety disorders in close biological relatives or parental history of mental disorders
Lack of economic resources
Being widowed/divorced
Being female
Exposure to stressful life events3
Elevated afternoon cortisol levels in the saliva (in social anxiety disorder)

When Do You NEED An Anxiety Therapist?

Seeking professional anxiety therapy is recommended when persistent anxiety symptoms significantly interfere with daily functioning, relationships, work performance, or quality of life including excessive worry lasting more than six months, recurring panic attacks, physical symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, or avoidance behaviors that limit social or professional activities.

If anxiety symptoms appear suddenly without clear triggers, persist despite your efforts to manage them, escalate in severity despite self-help strategies, or cause you to withdraw from previously enjoyed activities, consulting an anxiety specialist is essential for proper assessment and treatment planning.

Clinical indicators that warrant professional anxiety therapy include anxiety interfering with work productivity or academic performance, relationship strain caused by excessive worry or irritability, substance use as a coping mechanism, panic attacks with fear of having another attack, or generalized anxiety accompanied by physical health concerns that medical evaluation has ruled out underlying medical causes.

If anxiety symptoms occur alongside depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, trauma-related distress, or suicidal thoughts, immediate professional intervention is critical and highly recommended.

Additionally, if you have a family history of anxiety disorders or notice anxiety patterns emerging during significant life transitions, relationship changes, work stress, or health crises, early intervention by a qualified anxiety therapist can prevent symptom escalation and provide effective evidence- based treatment that significantly improves outcomes. The sooner you seek professional help for anxiety through therapy, medication management, or combined treatment, the better your prognosis, with research demonstrating that early intervention leads to faster symptom relief, improved coping skills, and better long-term mental health outcomes compared to delayed treatment.

How does pathological anxiety affect a patient’s quality of life?

Pathological anxiety doesn’t only affect mental health; it can also manifest in physical health. Patients may experience various complications, most notably:

– Depression and a desire for isolation and withdrawal

– Sleep disturbances and persistent delusions

– Some physical health problems such as digestive issues, persistent headaches, physical fatigue and exhaustion, and heart problems…

– Difficulty concentrating, completing daily tasks, or communicating with others

If pathological anxiety is left untreated, or if the patient neglects their health, it can, in some cases, lead to suicidal thoughts.

What are the ways to prevent anxiety disorders?

Although there are no specific ways to prevent this condition, some steps and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing anxiety disorders, including:

Seeking help immediately upon noticing symptoms of pathological anxiety and not feeling ashamed to consult a psychiatrist, as they are the only ones qualified to provide appropriate treatment after an accurate diagnosis.
Engaging in enjoyable and recreational activities that help relieve stress, tension, and anxiety, such as sports, nature walks, cycling, and more.
Avoiding situations and circumstances that increase stress and anxiety, and staying away from smoking, alcohol, and caffeine, which increase stress levels in the body.

Book your Appointment with Novomed

To ensure your well-being and health, Novomed Centers offer specialized clinics staffed by leading psychiatrists to provide consultations and the necessary psychological treatments for a healthy life, both physically and mentally. A thorough mental health evaluation for anxiety suffers is recommended as anxiety disorders are often accompanied by related conditions such as OCD or depression.

To book an appointment or for more information about Anxiety Disorder Treatment, call us toll-free on 800 (NOVO) 6686 or click the live chat icon at the bottom of the screen.