What Is Anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is a natural response, but it shouldn’t control your life.
— Savant Care Team
Anxiety is a normal emotion. It’s your brain’s way of reacting to stress and alerting you of potential danger ahead. Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life.
However, anxiety disorders are different. They are a group of mental illnesses that cause constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear. This excessive anxiety can make you avoid work, school, family get-togethers, and other social situations that might trigger or worsen your symptoms.
What Causes Anxiety disorder?
While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, a combination of factors plays a role:
Genetics & Biology
- Family history of anxiety disorders
- Brain chemistry and altered brain circuits
- Underlying medical conditions (e.g., thyroid issues)
Environmental Factors
- Trauma or stressful life events
- Chronic stress at work or in relationships
- Substance use or withdrawal
Recognizing the Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms can be both physical and emotional, varying in severity from person to person.
Emotional Symptoms
- Feelings of apprehension or dread
- Feeling tense or jumpy
- Restlessness or irritability
- Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger
Physical Symptoms
- Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath
- Sweating, tremors, and twitches
- Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia
- Upset stomach, frequent urination, or diarrhea
Common Types of Anxiety disorder Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life, consuming hours each day.
Panic Disorder
Repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
Social Anxiety Disorder
Intense fear or anxiety about social situations where you may be judged, embarrassed, or rejected.
Specific Phobias
Intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom the individual is attached.
Treating Anxiety disorder at SavantCare
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable. A customized treatment plan often yields the best results.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you learn different ways of thinking and reacting to anxiety-producing situations.
Medications
Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants can help balance brain chemistry and prevent episodes.
Support & Coping
Stress management techniques, mindfulness, and support groups play a vital role in recovery.
Your Care Team
Our board-certified psychiatrists specialize in treating psychotic disorders with compassion and expertise.
Dr. Bernice Ponce de Leon
DO, Board-Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | Licensed in CA, NV
View profileWhen Should You Seek Help?
It's important to seek help if anxiety is affecting your daily life and relationships.
Reach out if you or a loved one experience:
- You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships, or other parts of your life
- Your fear, worry, or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to control
- 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)
Ready to take the next step?
Our team is here to help — no pressure, no judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Anxiety commonly causes chest pain, which can feel sharp, aching, or like a muscle spasm. If chest pain is frequent or severe, see a doctor to rule out a cardiac condition.
Anxiety can temporarily raise blood pressure through stress hormone release, but it does not usually cause chronic hypertension. Ongoing stress and anxiety may contribute to cardiovascular risk over time.
The term "anxiety attack" is commonly used informally to describe an intense period of worry or distress, often building gradually over time. In contrast, panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear that come on rapidly and cause strong physical reactions such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath, even when no real danger is present.
Yes. Your body's fight-or-flight response can disrupt digestion and balance, causing nausea and dizziness. These symptoms typically ease as anxiety decreases with treatment.