Some anxiety is part of everyday life for most people. It can be a normal response for people in risky situations, or who are under stress or feeling uncertain. However, anxiety can also be a sign of anxiety disorder.

Almost one in three adults will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their life.

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is feeling fear or uneasy. It can be a normal reaction to stress, such as a problem at work or a test at school. It can help you cope and even motivate you to focus.

However, anxiety disorders are conditions in which you have anxiety that doesn't go away. It can get worse over time and can get in the way of everyday activities.

Anxiety disorders can sometimes lead to serious complications, such as depression, alcoholism or drug abuse. It's a condition that may benefit from specific treatments.

What are the most common types of anxiety?

Here are five of the most common anxiety disorders:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder: This is typically an unrealistic worry about everyday tasks.
  • Panic disorder: You feel a sudden fear that causes a panic attack. This may include excessive sweating, chest pain and pounding heart.
  • Social anxiety disorder: You feel an overwhelming worry about social situations. You are likely overly self-conscious and fear others judging you.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This develops if you've had shocking, scary or dangerous experiences. PTSD often causes a fight-or-flight response to help you avoid potential danger.
  • Phobias: You have an intense fear of something that poses little or no danger.

Each disorder appears to have different causes. Researchers are trying to understand what causes each of these conditions and discover new treatments.

Learn more about anxiety disorders and treatments

What are some anxiety symptoms?

Anxiety can cause several symptoms. Most often, people feel overly worried or fearful. It can make it hard to sleep and concentrate. Here are some common symptoms of anxiety:

  • Uneasy feeling, panic, or danger
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Unable to stay calm and still
  • Cold, sweaty or tingling hands or feet
  • Trouble breathing (both shortness of breath and breathing faster than normal)
  • Increased heart rate
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness or feeling weak
  • Can't stop thinking about a problem
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Strong fear of objects or places

How can you tell if your anxiety is normal or a sign of anxiety disorder?

There are three questions you can ask yourself to determine if you have an anxiety disorder:

1. Does anxiety interfere with your life?

If your anxiety is bothersome, but not interfering with your life, then it's likely not an anxiety disorder. But, if your anxiety is getting in the way of important activities, it's more likely to be an anxiety disorder.

2. How severe is your anxiety?

If your anxiety is unpleasant but not constant, severe or overwhelming, then it's likely not an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders typically cause severe anxiety. This can be persistent, exhausting and demoralizing.

A panic attack is an episode of severe anxiety. It usually causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart, sweating and nausea.

Infrequent panic attacks can be normal. But repeated panic attacks that happen for no obvious reason are more likely a sign of an anxiety disorder.

3. Is it normal to feel anxiety in a certain situation?

People often feel anxious in a situation that is stressful or risky. People with an anxiety disorder feel anxiety that is out of proportion to the risk or danger involved.

A person with an anxiety disorder usually can tell that their reactions are exaggerated and too strong. But they cannot easily bring their anxiety under control.

If anxiety symptoms are severe or interfering with your life, you should seek treatment from a health care provider.

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What's the difference between fear and anxiety?

Fear is something that everyone experiences. It's a normal response to a threat. Fear involves the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. These senses send information to our brain that trigger a fear response.

Anxiety is a reaction to our emotions instead of a real danger. It's often due to something in our past that continues to have an impact on us.

How is anxiety diagnosed?

To diagnose anxiety disorder, a health care provider will ask you questions and review your medical history. They will also go through your specific pattern of anxiety symptoms. It's important to be honest with them about your symptoms and how they impact your life.

There isn't a lab test to diagnose anxiety disorder. However, your provider may run tests to rule out other health conditions that can be causing similar symptoms.

Your health care provider may recommend that you see a mental health expert, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. They have access to other tools and tests that may help with a diagnosis.

How is anxiety disorder treated?

The most effective treatments for anxiety disorders include medications and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT). Both have been effective in treating most anxiety disorders.

Medications for anxiety disorders

The most commonly used medications are antidepressants, which are not only used to treat depression. In fact, most antidepressants work as well (or better) to treat anxiety disorders as they do for depression. Antidepressants can work to lessen some anxiety symptoms.

For panic attacks, many people are prescribed benzodiazepine. However, this is not used for people with generalized anxiety disorder because it's easy to become dependent on it.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders

CBT or cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on a patient's specific symptoms, instead of on the patient's childhood or past stressful events. CBT teaches the patient ways of changing some of the thinking patterns and behavior patterns that contribute to anxiety.

Most people who suffer from an anxiety disorder will receive great benefit from treatment with either CBT or a medication. Both treatments are often given together, with even better results.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, there is a good chance your condition will improve with treatment.

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What can you do on your own to relieve anxiety?

Self-care is important to combating anxiety. Research has shown that there are many activities to help reduce the stress response. Meditation, yoga, Tai Chi and many other forms of exercise can lower anxiety.

It's also important to combat your fears. Avoiding the things that give you anxiety can make it continue and even get worse.

Some treatments for anxiety are not to avoid the triggers but to expose yourself to what causes anxiety as much as you can tolerate. If you slowly expose yourself to the trigger, your brain learns not to react.

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This blog was medically reviewed by Andres Sciolla, professor of clinical psychiatry in our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.