Gaining Clarity on Common Signs and Successful Management Strategies

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions we see in Canada. These disorders involve more than just occasional worry. They're characterized by persistent, excessive fear or worry that can disrupt daily life.

Understanding anxiety disorder symptoms is the first step toward finding practical support and treatment.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is a natural and needed human emotion. It's the body's way of responding to stress and alerting us to potential danger. It triggers your "fight-or-flight response." Anxiety can show up as nervousness, worry, or unease.

But for some, it becomes too much.

When these feelings become excessive and persistent and interfere with your everyday life, it might be an anxiety disorder.  

Then, there are also panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden, intense wave of fear or terror that peaks in minutes. It can cause intense physical reactions, even if there's no real danger.

Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder vs. Panic

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several distinct types of anxiety disorders, each with its own set of characteristics. But here is a brief look at some of the most common ones.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday topics, events, or activities. This worry is difficult to control and is out of proportion in relation to the topic. These excessive stresses happen most days for at least 6 months.  
• Panic Disorder. People with panic disorder experience recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks have a range of physical and cognitive symptoms, like heart palpitations, nausea, sweating, chills, heat sensations, or fear of losing control or dying.  
• Social Anxiety Disorder. It's also known as social phobia. This disorder involves an intense fear of social situations where others might judge or evaluate you negatively.  
• Specific Phobias. These involve intense, irrational fears of particular objects or situations, such as heights, spiders, clowns, or flying.  
• Separation Anxiety Disorder. While often thought of as a childhood disorder, separation anxiety can persist into adulthood if left untreated. It means an excessive fear related to being apart from attachment figures.  

Remember. While Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) share some similarities with anxiety disorders, they are classified separately.

Understanding Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

There are many ways in which anxiety disorder symptoms can show up, including psychological, physical, and behavioural.  

Psychological Symptoms

• Excessive and uncontrollable worry  
• Feelings of dread or impending doom  
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Intrusive thoughts
• Fear of losing control
• Hypervigilance (feeling constantly on edge)  

Physical Symptoms

• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations  
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Dizziness or lightheadedness  

Behavioural Symptoms

• Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety  
• Restlessness
• Inability to relax
• Seeking constant reassurance  

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are not caused by any single factor but rather by a complex interplay of several factors. We often consider the following elements when diagnosing an anxiety disorder.

Biological Factors

These involve things like genes, brain chemistry, and brain structure. If someone in your family has an anxiety disorder, you're more likely to have one, too.

Chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters play a role.

Differences in the brain's "fear centre" (amygdala) can also contribute.

Psychological Factors

Certain personality traits can make you more prone to anxiety.

How you think also matters. If you tend to expect the worst or dwell on negative thoughts, you're more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.

Childhood experiences, like trauma, can also play a role.

Environmental Factors

Stressful life events can trigger anxiety disorders. This could include losing a job, having relationship problems, or dealing with money issues.

Chronic stress, whether from work, relationships, or other sources, can also contribute.

Traumatic events, especially childhood trauma, are a big risk factor.  

Substance use and certain medical conditions can also heighten anxiety disorder symptoms.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for anxiety disorders. We often use a combination of methods depending on what you need.

But, generally, you can expect psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Psychotherapy

Therapy involves talking to a trained mental health professional. It can help you understand and manage your anxiety. Some common types of anxiety therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a leading treatment for anxiety. It helps you change negative thoughts and behaviours. For example, it teaches you to challenge worrying thoughts and face your fears.
• Exposure Therapy. This therapy is often used for phobias, panic disorders, and social anxiety. It involves gradually facing the things you fear to reduce your anxiety. 
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT helps you accept anxious feelings instead of fighting them. It also focuses on setting goals and taking action to live a meaningful life.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines mindfulness and CBT. It helps you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judging them. This can help prevent anxiety from returning.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). IPT focuses on exploring and resolving relationship problems that may contribute to your anxiety. It can help you improve your communication and social skills.
• Psychodynamic Therapy. This approach explores how past experiences and unconscious processes affect your current anxiety disorder symptoms. It aims to increase self-awareness to drive change.

Medication

In some cases, medication can be very effective, especially when combined with therapy. Common medications include antidepressants and antianxiety medications.

• Antidepressants. These medications are often prescribed for anxiety. Even though they're called antidepressants, they can help with anxiety because they impact brain chemicals that control mood.  
• Antianxiety medications. These medications can provide short-term relief from anxiety. But they can be addictive, so they're not usually used for long-term treatment.  

Remember: A qualified health professional, like a doctor or a psychiatrist, must prescribe and monitor these medications.  

Lifestyle Changes

Besides psychotherapy and medication, the best thing you can do is change your lifestyle and try different "self-help" strategies.

• Regular exercise  
• Stress management techniques
• Mindfulness and meditation  
• Healthy sleep habits  
• Support groups  

When to Seek Help

It can be hard to reach out for help sometimes, especially if you're struggling with anxiety disorder symptoms. But if you or a loved one experiences the following, it's time to ask for more support.

• Anxiety that persists for several months.  
• Anxiety disorder symptoms that interfere with your daily life, work, or relationships.  
• Avoiding everyday activities because of anxiety.  
• Relying on substances to cope with anxiety.  
• Thoughts of self-harm.

Finding Relief

Anxiety disorders can be hard to deal with, but help is available. If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you know, please reach out.

We offer specialized support at Dr. Kate Hamilton's practice to help you understand and manage anxiety.

We also provide:

• Online Therapy. Convenient and accessible therapy from the comfort of your own home.
• Forensic Assessment. Specialized assessments for legal contexts, providing clarity and insights into complex situations. 
• Consultation and Training. We share our expertise with professionals and organizations.

If you're searching for ways to live a more balanced and fulfilling life, we are here to help.

Contact us today!

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental healthcare advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new medication or therapy. Dr. Kate Hamilton is not responsible for any injuries or damages resulting from the use of information provided in this post.