Understanding what anxiety is is essential, as it stems from multiple underlying causes. Some trigger situations occur in day-to-day life, while others may be constantly present, points out Dr. David Szydlo Kon, a psychiatrist specializing in somatoform disorders at Centro Médico ABC.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotional response to a set of circumstances a person is experiencing. It can be thought of as an alarm system for the body and mind that prevents them from functioning properly.
It is common for people to confuse anxiety with depression. Although these conditions can be comorbidities (the co-occurrence of two or more disorders at the same time), this does not mean they are the same thing.
- Depression, generally speaking, is a state characterized by feeling that there is no future, feelings of low self-worth, and uncertainty about how to move forward.
- Anxiety, on the other hand, is a state of fear, dread, and restlessness that almost always leads to dysfunction.
Types of Anxiety
Medically speaking, there are many causes of anxiety, which leads to multiple classifications. In colloquial terms, it can be broken down into three stages or levels:
- Normal Anxiety: Most everyday situations fall into this category. Although these moments affect us, we tend to manage them very well using tools and coping mechanisms acquired throughout life.
- Social Trauma: When anxiety reaches a point where it prevents a person from moving forward, physical symptoms begin to manifest. This stage can last anywhere from a few days to several months or years.
- Panic Attacks: In reality, panic attacks are completely distinct, but people generally classify them as another stage of anxiety.
While a panic attack occurs abruptly—transitioning from a normal state to intense palpitations, chest pain that can easily be mistaken for a heart attack, excessive sweating, and an inability to think or move within seconds—an anxiety attack develops gradually. This gradual build-up provides an opportunity to take action and utilize both innate and learned coping strategies to manage or neutralize the anxiety.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural bodily response to various stressful or dangerous situations—something that is completely normal and natural.
However, when it occurs constantly or without an apparent cause, it can develop into an anxiety disorder. In these cases, symptoms can be both physical and psychological, significantly affecting the quality of life of the person experiencing them.
Among the most common psychological symptoms are a constant feeling of nervousness, excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, and a perception of impending danger, even when the person is in a safe environment.
On the other hand, on a physical level, anxiety can manifest as palpitations, excessive sweating, trembling, muscle tension, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and diarrhea. It is also possible for someone with anxiety to experience shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and insomnia.
The intensity and duration of these symptoms vary from person to person, as well as during each occurrence of anxiety. In many cases, it appears suddenly, which contributes to a feeling of losing control.
Recognizing the signs of anxiety is fundamental to seeking professional help and addressing the disorder safely and appropriately. All these symptoms are a natural response from the body as it enters survival mode and attempts, in its own way, to escape this anxious state, notes Dr. Szydlo.
How to Manage Anxiety
Anxiety acts as an alarm system that can be triggered by external stimuli—such as everyday life events—or internal stimuli resulting from our own thoughts and feelings.
To navigate this condition, it is essential to understand the underlying causes of the anxiety. A specialist will then select from various tools to treat it, which may include psychotropic medications prescribed by a doctor, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or anxiolytics.
Additionally, patients can benefit from various psychotherapy techniques. The most common approach for anxiety disorders is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which primarily focuses on modifying a person’s behavior and thought patterns.
It is important to remember that an anxiety disorder stems from what we think rather than what we feel. Anxiety can arise simply from the thought of missing a flight, the idea of arriving late to an event, or worrying about failing an exam.
Dr. Szydlo notes that living with someone experiencing these anxiety states can be very challenging to understand and process. A common reaction from others is saying, "Just don’t be nervous, and that’s it." However, those supporting a patient with anxiety must understand that they cannot simply turn off or control their feelings.
If you live with or care for someone with anxiety, it is recommended to speak with a doctor or specialist to gain a better understanding of these conditions and learn how to help manage them effectively.
Knowing how to offer tangible, physical support is also a valuable tool—this includes guiding them through breathing techniques and reminding them to take their prescribed medication.
Like any other medical condition, anxiety has a clear diagnosis, physiology, and treatment plan. Therefore, overcoming it requires much more than just "trying harder"; proper medical or psychological treatment is essential.
Remember: when it comes to anxiety, the earlier the condition is addressed, the faster the recovery, the less emotional toll it takes, and the lower the likelihood of relapse.
At the Neurological Center at Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
