How is everyday worry different from an anxiety disorder?
Worry about health, money, school, work or family is a normal part of life. Some anxiety even has a use: before a test or a big decision, it can give you a boost of energy or help you focus. So the question is not whether you worry, but what the worry is doing to your life.
Three things tend to separate the two: how long it lasts, how much control you have over it, and how much it interferes with daily life. The table below sets them side by side. It is a way to think about what you are noticing, not a way to diagnose yourself.
| What to look at | Often everyday worry | Can point to an anxiety disorder |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | A specific situation, such as a test, a hard decision or a problem at work | Everyday things, or a level of worry out of proportion to the situation |
| Duration | Occasional, and it passes | Does not go away and can get worse over time; can last months or even years |
| Control | It does not run your day | Hard to control, even when you try |
| Daily life | You keep up with work, school and relationships | Interferes with job performance, schoolwork or relationships |
| Behavior | You still do the things you need to do | You start avoiding everyday activities you used to do |
How long does worry last before it is considered a disorder?
It depends on the type. For generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a person finds it difficult to control worry on most days for at least 6 months, along with at least three of these symptoms: feeling restless or on edge, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or problems with sleep.
That time frame is what a clinician uses to make a diagnosis. It is not a waiting period for you. If anxiety has started causing problems at school, at work, or with friends and family, it is reasonable to seek help now, even if it has been less than 6 months.
What can anxiety feel like in the body?
Anxiety is not only thoughts. It can show up in the body too. These can be signs of anxiety, and they can also come from other health problems, so they are worth mentioning to a health care provider:
- Headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tension
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or feeling fatigued
- A pounding or rapid heartbeat, dizziness or shortness of breath
- Sweating, feeling lightheaded, trembling or twitching
- A hard time swallowing, or frequent trips to the bathroom
What are the common types of anxiety disorders?
There are several, and they feel quite different from one another. Knowing the names can help you describe what you notice.
- Generalized anxiety disorder: excessive worry about ordinary things such as health, money, work and family.
- Panic disorder: sudden, repeated attacks of intense fear when there is no clear danger. Our guide on what a panic attack feels like goes into detail.
- Social anxiety disorder: fear of being judged or scrutinized, such as when speaking in public, meeting new people or eating in front of others.
- Phobias: an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger, such as flying or spiders.
What can make anxiety better or worse from day to day?
Symptoms often rise and fall, and they are often worse during stressful times such as a physical illness, exams, or a family or relationship conflict. Caffeine, other substances and certain medicines can make symptoms worse.
Cutting back on caffeine, getting enough sleep, and stress management such as exercise, mindfulness and meditation can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with standard care. These habits alone cannot replace treatment, though. If you have tried them and the worry is still there, that does not mean you failed.
When is it time to get evaluated?
Consider an evaluation if any of these sound familiar:
- The worry does not go away, or it has been growing over time.
- You have trouble controlling it, even when you know it is out of proportion.
- You have started to avoid places, people or tasks because of anxiety.
- Work, school or relationships are being affected.
- You have physical symptoms and a medical checkup has not explained them.
- You also feel depressed or hopeless, or you are drinking or using substances more to cope.
What does treatment for anxiety involve, and what is care like here?
Treatment for GAD typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or both, and finding what fits can take some trial and error. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice unhelpful automatic thoughts and change patterns of behavior. Medication options include antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs, which may take several weeks to start working.
At DanShalom Behavioral Clinic, you meet with Victor Onodjacha, MSN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and you see the same provider at every visit. The first visit is a psychiatric evaluation of about 60 minutes, in person in Sugar Land or by secure video if you are physically in Texas, Idaho, Arizona or Maryland at the time. Read more about how we approach anxiety disorders, and ask us which kinds of therapy can be provided here and when a referral makes more sense.
Medication decisions are made together after an evaluation. Not every medication can be prescribed at every kind of visit, and some may require an in-person appointment. We explain what applies to you, and our medication management page describes follow-up care. If you already take something, talk with your prescriber before starting, stopping or changing it.
DanShalom Behavioral Clinic is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.
Questions patients ask
Who can evaluate anxiety, and what will they ask?
You can start with a primary care provider or a mental health professional. They may ask when your symptoms began, how long they have lasted, how often they occur and how they affect your life. Writing this down beforehand can help, especially since symptoms can rise and fall over time.
Could a medical problem be causing my anxiety symptoms?
It can be. Some physical conditions, such as thyroid problems or an irregular heart rhythm, are linked with anxiety, and a provider may do a physical exam or lab tests to check that a different health problem is not the cause. Your primary care provider is a sensible place to start if physical symptoms worry you.
Do children and teens get anxiety disorders too?
Yes. Children and teens with GAD often worry about school, activities, friendships and the future, and they may fear making mistakes or disappointing others. Some strive for perfection as a way to manage anxiety. Our clinic sees patients ages 5 to 65, and a parent or guardian must be present at appointments for patients under 18.
Could my focus problems be anxiety rather than ADHD?
Trouble concentrating and restlessness can come with anxiety, and they can also have other causes, so the symptom alone does not settle the question. An evaluation looks at your history and the pattern over time. Our guide on telling ADHD and anxiety apart explains what is usually compared.
How do I get started, and will insurance cover it?
You can send a short appointment request or call. We accept many major plans, which differ by state, and we also offer self-pay and a sliding scale. See our insurance page, and we check your coverage before the first visit. Our guide on preparing for a first visit can help you get ready.
References
- Anxiety Disorders (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Anxiety (MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine)
- Social Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Panic Disorder: What You Need to Know (National Institute of Mental Health)
Reviewed by Victor Onodjacha, MSN, PMHNP-BC, . This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.