Understanding Anxiety

Despite the debilitating symptoms that anxiety can lead to, it is treatable. With the support of friends and family, as well as a combination of counselling, self-care techniques, and physician support, individuals with anxiety can lead healthier, happier lives. 

If you’re suffering from anxiety reach out to your doctor, mental health professional, or your Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for support and guidance. When we think of anxiety, we often picture constant worrying, imagining the worst possible outcomes, or sudden panic attacks that can feel terrifying. But anxiety can show up in other ways too. In this article, we'll look at the different ways that anxiety can affect people.  

The main types of anxiety disorders:

Anxiety comes in many forms, and is highly dependent on the existing physical, emotional, and psychological stressors in your life. Typically, anxiety can be classified into six categories:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). One of the most common forms of anxiety, this disorder is typically characterized by chronic, persistent, and severe feelings of anxiousness, panic, fear, tension, and worry without immediate provocation, or the ability to identify the source of these feelings.

Panic Disorder. Characterized as a condition consisting of persistent panic attacks, panic disorder is accompanied by extreme and unexpected fear, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, and nausea.

Agoraphobia. Characterized as fear and avoidance of places or situations that might cause a person to panic or feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. Agoraphobia is often accompanied by panic disorder because people come to fear places where they’ve had a panic attack.

Social Anxiety Disorder. Characterized by excessive self-consciousness in everyday situations to the point of developing a social phobia. People with extreme forms of social anxiety disorder may try to avoid social events at all costs.

Separation Anxiety Disorder. Though this typically affects children who are separated from their parents, this disorder can affect adults with equal severity and involves a fear or anxiety of being separated from a loved one. Separation anxiety can occur due to a separation in any relationship, including friends, loved ones, and even pets.

Phobias. Classified based on the extreme fear of a person, thing, situation, or object. These fears typically develop in early childhood, but may develop later in life based on a traumatic incident or stressful situation. Phobias can get in the way of a person’s daily life, if the subject of the phobia is persistently present.

Though anxiety disorders typically develop in a person’s 20s or 30s, they can be triggered at any point in a person’s life, especially if a traumatic or stressful event has occurred. If a person has an existing genetic predisposition to mental health issues, the likelihood of developing a form of anxiety is higher than if no tendency is present. In addition, a person can have a combination of several anxiety disorders at the same time. 

The signs, symptoms, and causes 

Although genetic predisposition, traumatic events, and current life circumstances are all factors in the development of an anxiety disorder, the exact cause of anxiety disorders is relatively unknown. The diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders can only be properly assessed on a case by case basis. 

If symptoms persist over a few months, or if the anxiety elevates in severity, an anxiety disorder is typically present.  

Symptoms of anxiety can include: 

• Panic, fear, and a persistent sense of uneasiness 

• Sleep issues 

• An inability to stay calm or still, especially in a stressful situation 

• Tingling in the hands, feet, and other limbs 

• Cold or clammy skin 

• Shortness of breath 

• Tension in the joints or muscle tissue 

• Dry mouth 

• Nausea 

• Localized pain, especially in the jaw, neck, and chest 

If you have any of the above symptoms and suspect that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, speak to your primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional with the capability of making a definitive diagnosis.  

The long-term effects 

If left untreated, anxiety can take a toll on the physical and mental health of the individual. It’s impact can cause issues with attention, memory, neurological impulses, and an overall sense of health and well-being. 

Persistent, untreated anxiety can have long term repercussions on several aspects of the body, including:  

The central nervous system. Long-term stress over an extended period of time can cause increased release of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol and adrenaline) which can contribute to weight gain. 

The cardiovascular system. Increased heart rate and narrowing of blood vessels, as a result of anxiety, can cause an individual’s blood pressure to rise. People with persistent high levels of anxiety have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.  

The digestive system. Stomachaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and digestive issues can all occur with long-term anxiety. There may also be a connection between anxiety disorders and chronic digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. 

The immune system. Acute stress has been linked to weakening the immune system, leaving individuals with anxiety disorders more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. 

The respiratory system. Rapid, shallow breathing can worsen symptoms of asthma and other respiratory conditions. 

Anxiety can affect anyone of any gender, race, or background. However, research indicates that anxiety disorders typically affect women more commonly. In Canada, about 5% of the population has an anxiety disorder, the majority of whom are women. In the United States, about 19% of adults had an anxiety disorder, with the prevalence in women being twice as high.  

Getting Help 

In all cases where anxiety is concerned, support is crucial. Most people with anxiety will find that having a strong, supportive environment helps in their journey towards a happier, healthier life, free from anxiety. If you’re suffering from anxiety, be sure that you’re surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues that support your mental health journey. 

Treatment for anxiety is prescribed on a case to case basis, but the most common treatments are: 

Psychotherapy: This may include talk therapy which involves counselling from licensed therapist or psychologist or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT involves identifying and changing unhealthy and damaging behaviours and aims to help people find new ways to behave by changing their thought patterns. 

Medication, which is prescribed only when necessary by a licensed psychiatrist or doctor and is only used for some individuals. 

Once an anxiety disorder is managed, it’s important to continue practicing what you’ve learned in therapy to aid in your recovery process. The process of managing anxiety is very individual, but will often include avoiding specific triggers that could elevate your stress levels, practicing relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation or yoga), speaking with supportive friends or peers, exercising, and continuing to check in with your therapist or medical professional on a regular basis. 

Practicing self-care, whether it involves talking to friends, having a warm bath, or going to the gym, is an integral aspect of your recovery journey. 

Recovery 

Although anxiety can feel debilitating, it doesn’t have to get in the way of your everyday life. Recovery is all about patience: remember that it can take time before you start feeling a difference, especially if you’ve started to take medication. Give yourself the time and space to heal, and you’ll find that the journey is ultimately more manageable. 

With proper treatment, it’s possible to recover from an anxiety disorder and live a healthier, more productive life, free from any fear or worry that might have once hindered you in having a strong, stable sense of self. 

References 

1. Browne, D. (2018). “What to know about anxiety.” Medical News Today. Accessed 10 March 2025.

2. Cherney, K. (13 November 2023). “Effects of anxiety on the body.” Healthline. Accessed 10 March 2025.

3. National Institute of Mental Health. (December 2024). “Anxiety disorders.” NIMH Information Resource Center. Accessed on 10 March 2025.  

4. Stephenson, E. (22 September 2023). “Mental disorders and access to mental health care.” Statistics Canada. Accessed 10 March 2023.

5. Washington, N. (6 February 2023). “What is the link between anxiety and high blood pressure?” Medical News Today. Accessed on 10 March 2025.  

6. WebMD. (2019). “Anxiety disorders.” Accessed 10 March 2025.

7. Wodele, A., Crooks, F. (23 March 2019). “Phobias.” Healthline. Accessed 10 March 2025.