Things You Don't Already Know About Anxiety

Anxiety affects nearly 40 million Americans, making it one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in the nation. Because the disorder is so widespread, you might think you already know a lot about anxiety, but it’s worthwhile to stay on top of the facts so you can keep your condition well-controlled.

At Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment, we specialize in the diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders.

Board-certified psychiatrist Richard E. Repass, MD, creates personalized treatment plans that feature NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) infusions to relieve symptoms of an anxiety disorder and improve your overall brain function and quality of life.

Dr. Repass also provides educational resources that help you fully understand your anxiety, so you can be proactive about your long-term mental health.

A quick overview of anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder is a neuropsychiatric condition that causes persistent feelings of worry and nervousness, even when there’s no immediate threat to your safety. In addition to anxiousness, you may experience intrusive thoughts and physical symptoms like:

• Sweating
• Trembling
• Headaches
• Rapid heart rate
• Upset stomach
• Shortness of breath

There are several conditions that fall under the anxiety disorder umbrella, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.

Symptoms of anxiety can range from occasional and mild to severe and life-altering. With treatment, those with an anxiety disorder can find lasting relief of their symptoms, so they can enjoy an active and full life.

Anxiety facts you may not have known

While many people who are familiar with anxiety likely know how it feels to have an anxiety attack, the condition is complex, and there are a few important facts that anxiety sufferers should know.

Here are five interesting anxiety facts:

Genetics play a role in anxiety

In many cases, people develop an anxiety disorder after a traumatic event, such as physical violence, neglect, or abuse. But there are also many people who develop anxiety for no identifiable reason. Such cases may relate to a person’s genetic background.

If you have a parent, sibling, or other close family member with anxiety, you may be at increased risk for developing the disorder too.

Anxiety tends to start early

Symptoms of anxiety often start in early childhood and persist into adulthood.

The condition may go undiagnosed in young children because their symptoms may be misinterpreted as behavioral issues or physical illness.

Women may be more susceptible to anxiety

Studies show that women are twice as likely to develop anxiety than men, likely due to hormone differences between the genders.

There is also research that indicates a woman’s flight-or-fight response is easier to activate than a man’s. Their response can also stay activated for longer periods of time.

Uncontrolled anxiety can make you sick

An anxiety disorder not only has an impact on your emotional and mental health; it can also negatively affect your physical well-being.

When in an anxious state, your body releases the hormone cortisol. Ongoing exposure to elevated cortisol levels can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other acute and chronic illnesses.

Anger can be a side effect of anxiety

Uncontrollable feelings of anger can relate back to an unmanaged anxiety disorder.

Anger can stem when chronic anxiety makes you feel powerless over your condition or isolated from other people. These feelings may also contribute to depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

If you have concerns about excessive anxiety, call us at Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment in Mercer Island, Washington, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation.