Giant Microbes Plush - Anxiety

FACTS: Anxiety has always been a part of human life. The natural “fight or flight” reaction to stress and danger has enabled people to survive over the millennia. It is always helpful to be alert and frightened when a snake slithers or a bear growls nearby. In our modern world, people face different types of stress. We all might feel anxious before taking a test, when faced with a problem at work or before making a big decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry and fear. If a person has so much anxiety that it becomes uncontrollable or debilitating to everyday life, it may be considered an anxiety disorder.

Healthcare experts use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, to diagnose anxiety and other mental disorders. The symptoms of anxiety include excessive worrying, restlessness, difficulty sleeping and irritability. Globally, tens of millions of people suffer from anxiety disorders. With so many impacted, it is very important that everyone better understands this mental illness and its treatments. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and various phobia-related disorders. All are highly treatable.

Generalized anxiety involves excessive, illogical worrying for no specific reason. Social anxiety presents itself in social situations. Panic disorder involves random panic attacks causing rapid heart racing and the feeling of choking or having a heart attack. Phobia disorders are when one has an intense and out of proportion fear of or aversion to specific objects or situations.

Anxiety disorders are generally treated with therapy, medication or both. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are drugs that can reduce anxiety by increasing brain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood, sleep and cognition. SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons. In addition to medication or therapy, lifestyle habits can be beneficial. It is important to try to wake up early, stay active and avoid self-medication. Stress management techniques can also be helpful. People should work with their healthcare professionals to select the best treatments.