What is anxiety?

Most people will experience feelings of anxiety at some point in their lives. This feeling of intense worry or fear can range in severity and may be debilitating for some. Many people experience anxiety when put in stressful situations, but some also live with anxiety disorders that may require diagnosis and treatment.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Common symptoms of anxiety disorder include:

Feelings of nervousness
A sense of impending danger
Increased heart rate
Sweating
A difficulty concentrating
Feeling unsafe when there are no obvious dangers

What causes anxiety?

Causes of anxiety vary from person to person and may be related to a mental health condition, stressful situations, drugs, alcohol, or a combination of these. Common mental health disorders that cause anxiety include panic disorders and generalized anxiety. Some medical conditions can also cause anxiety, including heart disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, COPD, and chronic pain. Anxiety can also be a side effect of some medications. Certain risk factors make individuals more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, such as living through trauma, experiencing chronic stress, and having close relatives with anxiety. Physicians should assess patients for any underlying medical conditions causing their anxiety.

How do you treat anxiety?

Treatment for anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of both to address the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. It will likely take some trial and error to figure out what treatment regime works best for you. Some individuals can manage their anxiety by learning relaxation techniques such as breathwork and meditation. Regular exercise and other stress management techniques can help manage mild, everyday anxiety. Working with a therapist helps educate anxious individuals and figure out what types of relaxation techniques work best. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications. Prescription medications that help with anxiety include anti-anxiety medications or SSRIs.

The Power of Online Anxiety Support Groups

Living with anxiety can be a lonely feeling. But you are not alone. Online anxiety support groups make it easy to connect with thousands of people who understand exactly what you’re going through. While medications and professional therapy can help, sometimes we just need to connect with others and feel understood. When you join an online anxiety support group, you’ll gain access to valuable anxiety resources, tips for navigating your day-to-day lif, and inspiring stories of people just like you. Learn from the experiences of others, share your own, and become a part of something greater than yourself. Join The Mighty’s online anxiety support group today.

Healing through Connection

Above all, online anxiety support groups provide a form of healing through human connection. These non-judgmental, criticism-free environments are a chance to learn coping strategies, share your thoughts and concerns, and create a strong online support network of friends who get you. Figuring out how to treat anxiety is hard, and doing it alone can make the journey feel more impossible. That’s why it’s important to have a group of people on a similar path who can provide valuable insights on anxiety treatment resources, helpful tips for coping with anxiety symptoms, and more. Joining online anxiety support groups brings you into a shared human experience — others can learn from you, just as you can learn from them. Build up your support system with The Mighty’s online anxiety support group. Inspire and be inspired by the strength of our members living with anxiety and join The Mighty today.

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