Indeed, about 5 percent of American adults have generalized anxiety disorder, but the incidence is higher in people diagnosed with coronary artery disease (11 percent) or with heart failure (13 percent), according to research from 2016. While a panic attack is not a heart attack, there’s a relationship between heart problems and anxiety. If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you’re familiar with the way your hands get clammy, you can’t catch your breath - and your heart feels like it’s going to pound right out of your chest.
Psychologists in a few states may have the ability to prescribe medication, but this is not common or widespread.Īdditionally, if you have anxiety with suicidal thoughts, seek emergency medical treatment immediately or call 988.Ĭould any of the following be causing your anxiety? Both psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose and treat anxiety disorders with psychotherapy, and psychiatrists can also prescribe medications. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health treatment. Psychologists focus more on psychotherapy and are not medical doctors. Some anxiety is normal, but if you suffer from severe anxiety or are worrying too much, it’s important to talk with a mental health specialist about your symptoms. It’s important to note that while all these things (medications, substances, stress) can cause anxious feelings, they may involve different medical diagnoses. In this case, avoiding caffeine and alcohol or changing medications may reduce the anxiety. And certain medications may cause anxiety. There’s a clear link between caffeine and anxiety, and also alcohol and anxiety. Anxiety can also come with medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or thyroid disorders, that need treatment. Like so many health conditions, anxiety appears to run in families.Īnxiety may be caused by stress, whether from a major life event or the accumulated effect of small everyday stressors. Research shows that a combination of environmental and genetic factors likely increase a person’s risk for developing an anxiety disorder, notes the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)Īccording to the Mayo Clinic, you can have more than one anxiety disorder.Symptoms can include intense, hard-to-control worry and at least three of the following: irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness.Įxamples of other anxiety disorders include: For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.ĭoctors make a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) when patients have anxiety symptoms much of the time for more than six months. But if you constantly feel worried, tense, or on edge, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. Everyone gets anxious, restless, and frazzled.
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