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Common anxiety symptoms include:

• Feeling apprehensive
• Feeling powerless
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or fatigued

Specific anxiety disorders are broken down into several diagnosable mental health conditions:

• Panic attacks can start suddenly and cause apprehension, fear or terror. You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or chest pain. You may feel as if you're choking, being smothered or that you're "going crazy."
• Agoraphobia is anxiety about, or avoidance of, places or situations where you might feel trapped or embarrassed to leave if you start to feel panicky.
• Specific phobias are characterized by significant anxiety when you're exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it. Phobias provoke panic attacks in some people.
• Social phobias are characterized by significant anxiety provoked by exposure to certain types of social or performance situations and a desire to avoid them.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, recurring thoughts, images or impulses (obsessions) or an irresistible desire to perform irrational or seemingly purposeless acts or rituals (compulsions). Often it involves both obsessive and compulsive behavior.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by the feeling that you are re-experiencing an extremely traumatic event. It causes intense emotions and physical reactions along with a desire to avoid anything that might remind you of the event.
• Acute stress disorder is characterized by symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder that occur immediately after an extremely traumatic event.
• Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by at least six months of persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about small or large concerns. This type of anxiety disorder often begins at an early age. It frequently occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression.
• Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition is characterized by prominent symptoms of anxiety that are directly caused by a physical health problem.
• Substance-induced anxiety disorder is characterized by prominent symptoms of anxiety that are a direct result of abusing drugs, taking medications or being exposed to a toxic substance.
• Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by anxiety related to separation from parents or others who have parental roles.
• Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is a term for prominent anxiety or phobias that do not meet the exact criteria for any of the other anxiety disorders but are significant enough to be distressing and disruptive.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:

• You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life
• You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health concerns along with anxiety
• You think your anxiety could be linked to a physical health problem
• You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors (seek emergency treatment immediately)

Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time if you don't seek help. See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse. It may be easier to treat if you address it early.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

As with many mental health conditions, the exact cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood. It's thought that anxiety disorders may involve an imbalance of naturally occurring brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to becoming anxious. Inherited traits also are a factor.

Medical causes
For a significant number of people, anxiety is linked to an underlying health issue. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators that you have a medical illness. If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order blood or urine tests or other tests to look for signs of a problem.

Physical problems that can be linked to anxiety include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
• Asthma
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Withdrawal from anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines)
• Rare tumors that produce certain "fight-or-flight" hormones
• Muscle cramps or spasms
• Tingling, burning or prickling sensations that may have no apparent cause

It's more likely that your anxiety may be due to an underlying medical condition if:

• Your anxiety symptoms started after age 35
• You don't have any blood relatives (such as a parent or sibling) with an anxiety disorder
• You didn't have an anxiety disorder as a child
• You don't avoid certain things or situations because of anxiety
• No events have occurred in your life that were triggered by significant anxiety
• Medications used to treat feelings of panic (such as benzodiazepines) don't ease your anxiety symptoms

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Things that may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder include:

• Being female. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
• Childhood trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder at some point in life.
• Stress due to an illness. Having a chronic health condition or serious illness such as cancer can cause significant worry about the future, your treatment and possibly your finances.
• Stress buildup. A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, ongoing worry about finances or a death in the family.
• Personality. People with some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than are others. In addition, some personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, may be linked to anxiety disorders.
• Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can run in families.
• Substance use. Drug or alcohol abuse can cause or worsen anxiety.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical health conditions, including:

• Depression (which often occurs with anxiety disorder)
• Substance abuse
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Digestive or bowel problems
• Headaches
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

You may start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist if you have severe anxiety. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. A psychologist and certain other mental health providers can diagnose anxiety and provide counseling (psychotherapy).

It may be best for you to start by seeing a medical doctor if you think your anxiety could be health related. A medical doctor will be able to check for signs of an underlying illness that may need diagnosis and treatment.

Because there's often a lot of ground to cover during your initial appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor or mental health provider.

What you can do
To be prepared for your visit, it can be helpful to think about a few things ahead of time, and write down some notes to take with you. Things to write down include:

• A list of your symptoms. Include what your anxiety symptoms are, when they occur and whether anything seems to make them better or worse. Also note how much they affect your day-to-day activities such as work, school or relationships.
• What's caused you stress. Include any major life changes or stressful events you've dealt with recently. Also note any traumatic experiences you've had in the past or as a child.
• Any other health problems you have. Include both physical conditions and mental health issues.
• A list of all medications you're taking. Be sure to write down the doses, and include any vitamins or supplements you take.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my anxiety?
• Are there other possible situations, psychological issues or physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my anxiety?
• Do I need medical tests or other tests?
• Are there any restrictions or steps I need to follow?
• Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider?
• Would medication help? If so, is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Some questions the doctor may ask include:

• Exactly what are your symptoms, and how severe are they?
• Have you ever had a panic attack?
• Do you avoid certain things or situations because they make you anxious?
• Have your feelings of anxiety been occasional or continuous?
• When did you first begin noticing your feelings of anxiety?
• Does anything in particular seem to trigger your feelings of anxiety or make them worse?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your feelings of anxiety?
• What, if any, physical or mental health conditions do you have?
• What traumatic experiences have you had recently or in the past?
• Do you regularly drink alcohol or use illegal drugs?
• Do you have any blood relatives with anxiety or other mental health conditions such as depression?

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

To help diagnose an anxiety disorder and rule out other conditions, your doctor or mental health provider may have you fill out a psychological questionnaire. Your doctor will probably do a physical examination to look for signs that your anxiety might be linked to a medical condition.

Anxiety that occurs during times of high stress or in the aftermath a traumatic event is normal. In most cases, the disruption and stress caused by this type of anxiety eases up on its own, when the underlying cause is no longer an immediate concern. However, when anxiety is severe, disrupts your day-to-day life, causes panic attacks or doesn't get better over time, you may have a disorder that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

To be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment. Symptoms — and diagnostic criteria — differ for each specific anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders often occur along with other mental health problems — such as depression or substance abuse — which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy). You may benefit most from a combination of the two. It may take some trial and error to discover exactly what treatments work best for you.

Medications
Several different types of medications are used to treat anxiety disorders. These include:

• Antidepressants. These medications influence the activity of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) thought to play a role in anxiety disorders. Examples of antidepressants used to treat anxiety disorders include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor) and imipramine (Tofranil).
• Buspirone. This anti-anxiety medication may be used on an ongoing basis. As with most antidepressants, it typically takes up to several weeks to become fully effective. A common side effect of buspirone is a feeling of lightheadedness shortly after taking it. Less common side effects include headaches, nausea, nervousness and insomnia.
• Benzodiazepines. In limited circumstances your doctor may prescribe one of these sedatives for relief of anxiety symptoms. Examples include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Benzodiazepines are generally used only for relieving acute anxiety on a short-term basis. Because they can be habit-forming, these medications aren't a good choice if you've had problems with alcohol or drug abuse (making you more prone to addiction). They can cause side effects that include drowsiness, reduced coordination, and problems with balance and memory.

Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy and psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working out underlying life stresses and concerns and making behavior changes. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common types of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally a short-term treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching you specific skills to identify negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with positive ones. Even if an undesirable situation doesn't change, you can reduce stress and gain more control over your life by changing the way you respond.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

While most people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy or medications to get anxiety under control, lifestyle changes also can make a difference. Here are a few things that you can do:

• Get exercise. Exercise is a powerful stress reducer; it can improve your mood and keep you healthy. It's best if you develop a regular routine and work out most days of the week. Start out slowly and gradually increase the amount and intensity of the exercise you do.
• Eat well. Avoid fatty, sugary and processed foods. Include foods in your diet that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins.
• Avoid alcohol and other sedatives. These can worsen anxiety.
• Use relaxation techniques. Visualization techniques, meditation and yoga are examples of relaxation techniques that can ease anxiety.
• Make sleep a priority. Do what you can to make sure you're getting enough quality sleep. If you aren't sleeping well, see your doctor.
• Quit smoking and cut back or quit drinking coffee. Both nicotine and caffeine can worsen anxiety.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Certain supplements may help relieve anxiety, although it isn't clear how much they help or what possible side effects they might have. Some supplements used to treat anxiety include:

• Kava. This herb is reported to relax you without making you feel sedated. Some studies have linked kava to liver problems, so it isn't a good idea to take it if you have a liver condition, drink alcohol daily or take medications that affect your liver.
• Valerian. Most commonly used as a sleep aid, valerian has a sedative effect. More research is needed to determine how well it works for this purpose.
• B vitamins. These nutrients, particularly the B vitamin inositol, may help relieve anxiety by affecting the production of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters).

Talk to your doctor before taking herbal remedies or supplements to make sure they're safe for you and won't interact with any medications you take.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

To cope with anxiety disorder, here are some things you can do:

• Learn about your illness. Talk to your doctor or mental health provider, look on the Internet, and talk to others who have similar problems with anxiety. Find out what causes it and what treatments might be best for your particular condition.
• Involve your family. As with any illness, asking your partner or family members for help is an important part of coping.
• Join an anxiety support group. Remember that you aren't alone. Support groups offer compassion, understanding and shared experiences. You may find support groups in your community, and there are several available on the Internet. Two good places to start are the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
• Take action. Work with your mental health provider to figure out what's making you anxious and address it. For example, if finances are your concern, work toward drawing up a workable budget.
• Let it go. Don't dwell on past concerns. Change what you can and let the rest take its course.
• Break the cycle. When you feel anxious, take a brisk walk or delve into a hobby to refocus your mind away from your worries.
• Stick to your treatment plan. Take medications as directed. Keep therapy appointments. Consistency can make a big difference, especially when it comes to taking your medication.
• Socialize. Don't let worries isolate you from loved ones or activities. Social interaction and caring relationships can lessen your worries.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

There's no way to predict for certain what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder in the first place, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you're anxious:

• Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
• Keep a journal. Keeping track of your personal life can help you and your mental health provider identify what's causing you stress and what seems to help you feel better.
• Prioritize your life. You can reduce anxiety by carefully managing your time and energy.
• Avoid unhealthy alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and drug use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you're addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. If you can't quit on your own, see your doctor or find a support group to help you.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.