Signs, causes, and diagnosis of anxiety disorders

It’s natural to feel anxious before a speech or a first date. Usually, this anxiety is brief and fades once the event is over. Occasional anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, but if your feelings of distress linger, growing intense and persistent, they could indicate an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are extremely common, with almost one-third of U.S. adults experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Many effective treatments are available for anxiety disorders, including therapy, lifestyle changes, and, in some instances, medication. With the right treatment approach, you can learn to recognize what triggers your anxiety and find relief from your symptoms.

What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety can cause both physical and emotional symptoms that impact your daily life and overall health. While common signs of anxiety include an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, and a sense of impending doom, there are also several more subtle or lesser known symptoms to watch out for. 

Physical symptoms of anxiety disorders

• Health issues: Persistent muscle tension, heartburn, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomachaches, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are all associated with anxiety.
• Itchy skin: Stress hormones can directly interact with nerve cells in the skin, activating them and causing an itchy sensation.
• Frequent urination: Anxiety activates the “flight-or-fight” response, which can increase the need to pee more frequently.
• Brain fog: Anxiety can make it harder to focus and remember details.

Psychological symptoms of anxiety disorders

• Depersonalization: Anxiety can cause moments of feeling disconnected from reality.
• Hyperawareness of bodily functions: Being anxious can make you overly conscious of your breathing or heartbeat, resulting in further anxiety.
• Difficulty making decisions: Having anxiety can make even basic decisions challenging. You might overthink decisions or even avoid them due to a fear of making the wrong choice. 
• Sleep problems: It makes sense that if you’re feeling anxious, you might also have problems getting a good night’s sleep. You may experience nightmares that disrupt sleep or have worries and fears that make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

What causes anxiety disorders?

Anxiety can arise from a complex mix of factors, including childhood experiences, stressful life events, and more. Some people face a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders due to a variety of factors.

While risk factors vary based on the type of anxiety disorder, some general risk factors include:

• Shyness or feeling distressed or nervous in new situations in childhood
• Exposure to stressful and negative life events, like divorce, physical assault, domestic violence, or financial strain 
• A family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Substance use can lead to increased anxiety, and people with pre-existing anxiety can self-medicate with alcohol and drugs 

There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by persistent feelings of anxiety or dread that lasts months or even years.
• Panic disorder: If you have frequent and unexpected panic attacks with a sense of danger or losing control, even though there’s no clear trigger, you might have a panic disorder.
• Social anxiety disorder: An intense and persistent fear of being watched and judged by others can be a sign of social anxiety disorder. 
• Phobia-related disorders: People with irrational and intense fears of flying, heights, injections, and other objects or situations may be diagnosed with a phobia-related disorder.

How is an anxiety disorder diagnosed?

Anxiety disorders can be tricky to diagnose because symptoms often overlap with other mental health conditions like depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many people with anxiety disorders chalk up their symptoms to everyday stress or assume they’re just chronic worriers. Recognizing the difference is key to finding effective treatment and support.

Although anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S., they’re underreported. One study suggested that more than 50% of people experienced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) without a formal diagnosis.

Step one: Make an appointment with your provider 

If you suspect you might have an anxiety disorder, the first step is making an appointment with a mental health professional. For a diagnosis, anxiety symptoms need to be present for at least six months and significantly interfere with work or your social life.

Step two: Complete your assessment with a mental health professional 

Your initial assessment will usually begin with a discussion about your symptoms, their frequency, duration, and impact on your daily life. Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests to rule out medical conditions like thyroid issues or hormonal imbalances that can mimic anxiety symptoms.

Your therapist may assess your symptoms using the GAD-7 to assess your symptoms. This seven-question survey will help your therapist measure the intensity of your symptoms. While this score can provide insights, only a clinician should interpret the results to avoid self-diagnosis.

In addition, your therapist may ask you about specific fears, coping methods, family history, and lifestyle. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, your therapist will compare your symptoms against diagnostic criteria for specific anxiety disorders like GAD, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Step 3: Explore treatment options 

Once diagnosed, your healthcare provider will discuss treatment options, including therapy, lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination of these treatments.

Find care with Rula

If persistent, overwhelming anxiety is affecting your life, remember that help is within reach. Anxiety disorders are treatable, and, with the right support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and respond to anxiety with calm and resilience.

With Rula, our matching tool connects you with one of our 10,000+ therapists dedicated to providing the care you deserve. In just seconds, you can find a therapist trained in anxiety disorders who can meet with you via live video as soon as tomorrow.

Find a therapist with Rula