Anxiety disorders – symptoms and causes

Key takeaways

Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions marked by excessive worry and fear, impairing daily life.
They affect more women than men and often begin in childhood or adolescence.
Types include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, OCD, PTSD, and Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Symptoms vary but commonly include worry, restlessness, physical symptoms, and avoidance behaviors.
Causes involve genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stressors, personality traits, medical conditions, substance abuse, and trauma.
OCD affects about 1% of the global population, and PTSD affects 8.7% of adults in the U.S.
Early recognition and intervention are crucial for managing anxiety disorders effectively.

Anxiety and anxiety disorders represent the most common mental disorders affecting people of all ages, gender and ethnicity. This article seeks to provide more information on anxiety disorders including types, causes and symptoms.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life. These disorders can manifest in various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder, among others.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 301 million people were affected with anxiety disorders globally. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, with a higher incidence among women than men. Typically manifesting symptoms in childhood or adolescence, anxiety disorders can significantly disrupt daily life.

Types of anxiety disorders?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): it is the most prevalent anxiety disorders, affecting approximately 3.1% of the U.S. adult population in a given year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Society of America (ADAA) (AD. GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, or family, GAD often involves unrealistic fears and difficulties controlling worrying thoughts.
Panic Disorder: Panic disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and feelings of impending doom. Panic disorder affects around 2-3% of adults in the United States, with women being twice as likely to be affected as men, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Individuals with social anxiety disorder experience intense fear or anxiety in social situations where they feel they may be scrutinized or judged by others. This fear can lead to avoidance of social interactions and significant impairment in social and occupational functioning. Social Anxiety Disorder: Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, affects approximately 7% of the U.S. population, according to the ADAA.
Specific Phobias: Specific phobias are characterized by extreme and irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities, such as heights, spiders, flying, or enclosed spaces. These fears can lead to avoidance behaviors and interfere with daily life. Specific Phobias: Specific phobias are common, affecting approximately 12.5% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives, according to data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD involves recurring intrusive thoughts or obsessions, which lead to the performance of repetitive behaviors or compulsions to alleviate anxiety. Common obsessions include fears of contamination or harm, while compulsions may include excessive handwashing or checking. According to the WHO, OCD affects around 1% of the global population, with an estimated 1.2% of adults in the United States experiencing it.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after exposure to a traumatic event and involves symptoms such as intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal. Approximately 8.7% of all adults in the U.S., equating to 1 in 13 people, will develop PTSD at some point in their lifetime. Currently, about 3.6% of adults in the U.S. are suffering from PTSD.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Mainly seen in children, separation anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from attachment figures, leading to distress and difficulty in being apart from them. Information from Boston Children Hospital shows that roughly 13 out of every 100 children between the ages of 9 and 17 experience some form of anxiety disorder, including separation anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the specific type of disorder but generally include:

Excessive worry or fear about various aspects of life, including everyday situations.
Persistent feelings of nervousness or restlessness.
Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks.
Irritability or agitation.
Muscle tension or trembling.
Sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Avoidance of certain places, situations, or activities that trigger anxiety.
Panic attacks, characterized by sudden and intense periods of fear or discomfort.
Intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors (in the case of OCD).
Flashbacks, nightmares, or hypervigilance (in the case of PTSD).
Social avoidance or fear of embarrassment or judgment (in social anxiety disorder).

Causes of anxiety disorders

The causes of anxiety disorders are multifaceted and can involve a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and neurological factors. Some common contributing factors include:

Genetics: Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders may have a higher risk of developing these conditions due to genetic predispositions.
Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are involved in regulating mood and stress responses, may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
Environmental stressors: Traumatic events, major life changes, chronic stress, or adverse childhood experiences (such as abuse or neglect) can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders.
Personality factors: Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, neuroticism, or a tendency to worry excessively, may predispose individuals to anxiety disorders.
Medical conditions: Chronic medical illnesses or conditions affecting the brain, such as thyroid disorders or cardiovascular disease, can sometimes trigger or exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Substance abuse: Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can contribute to anxiety symptoms, either through direct effects on brain chemistry or as a result of withdrawal or side effects.
Trauma: Exposure to traumatic events, such as accidents, natural disasters, or physical or emotional abuse, can lead to the development of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Frequently asked questions

How prevalent are anxiety disorders, and who is most at risk of developing them?

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent globally, affecting millions of people. Women are more likely to be affected by anxiety disorders than men. Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders, those exposed to traumatic events, and those with certain personality traits may be at higher risk of developing them.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed, and what steps are involved in seeking a diagnosis?

Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional, which may include a physical exam, psychological evaluation, and discussion of symptoms and medical history. Seeking a diagnosis involves recognizing symptoms, seeking professional evaluation, and discussing concerns with a healthcare provider.

How can I differentiate between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

Normal anxiety is a temporary response to stress or a specific trigger, while an anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry or fear that significantly interferes with daily functioning. If anxiety symptoms persist, worsen over time, or impair quality of life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder that requires professional evaluation and treatment.

Sources

Ströhle, A., Gensichen, J., & Domschke, K. (2018). The Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. Deutsches ÄRzteblatt International, 115(37), 611-620. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2018.0611

Bystritsky, A., Khalsa, S. S., Cameron, M. E., & Schiffman, J. (2012). Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 38(1), 30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3628173/

Szuhany KL, Simon NM. Anxiety Disorders: A Review. JAMA. 2022;328(24):2431–2445. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.22744

Florence Thibaut (2017) Anxiety disorders: a review of current literature, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19:2, 87-88, DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/fthibaut