Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a group of mental health disorders characterized by feelings of intense concern about certain situations that interfere with your day-to-day activities. Anxiety, stress, and fear are all normal human emotions. However, when your anxious feelings are irrational or disrupt your life, you may benefit from talking to a mental health professional.

Anxiety manifests in a variety of ways. The most common form of anxiety is general anxiety disorder, which causes intense, fearful feelings about regular day-to-day concerns such as your job, family, health, or minor responsibilities. Other prevalent types of anxiety include social anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

In addition to intense fears and worries, anxiety can cause other symptoms, including:

• A sense of doom or danger
• Concentration problems
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating and trembling
• Fatigue and weakness
• Disrupted sleep

If anxiety is hindering your relationships or responsibilities, schedule a consultation with Mind Health Institute, Orange County, for professional help.

What causes anxiety?

Medical researchers believe anxiety is often a hereditary issue; if a member of your family has anxiety or depression, your chances of developing the condition increase. Anxiety is also triggered by traumatic experiences and other lifestyle factors, including neglect, abuse, and poverty. Certain personality types are also more prone to anxiety than others.

What is the connection between anxiety and loneliness?

Anxiety often leads to avoidance behaviors and can be very isolating, leaving you feeling alone or excluded, even if it’s by choice. You may feel like no one understands what you’re going through or sees the real you.

At the same time, you may develop anxiety about your loneliness, including abandonment or fears about being alone for the rest of your life. For example, a childhood experience could leave you with a fear of rejection or abandonment that makes you afraid of being by yourself.

How is anxiety treated?

Mind Health Institute, Orange County, treats anxiety with customized counseling sessions. Your provider begins your treatment with a comprehensive assessment. Once your provider understands your needs, they create a customized treatment plan to help you identify the issues at the root of your anxiety and learn to recognize your feelings and adapt your behaviors.

As you work with the Mind Health Institute Orange County team, you’ll learn techniques to manage your feelings and maintain a healthy and active life.

If you’re living with anxiety, call Mind Health Institute, Orange County, or request an appointment online today.