Physical changes, such as increased blood pressure, and feelings of tension are all characteristics of anxiety.
 
People with anxiety disorders often experience intrusive thoughts or concerns. Certain situations may be avoided by them out of worry. In addition, they may experience physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, and rapid heartbeats.
 
There is a difference between anxiety and fear, though they are often used interchangeably. Fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identified and specific threat, while anxiety is a future-oriented, long-acting response. It is common for individuals with anxiety disorders to experience worry or concern at disproportionate levels to the nature of the threat.
In some cases, your worries don’t consume you completely, but you still feel anxious despite no apparent reason. It may feel as if something bad is about to happen, or you may feel intense worry about your safety or the safety of your loved ones.

Your anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms significantly impact your social, work, or other elements of your life. It is possible for your worries to change as you age and change from one concern to another.

Normal people experience anxiety from time to time. Basically, it’s your brain’s way of reacting to stress and warning you of potential danger. A stressful situation at work, a test, or a decision that is important to you might make you worry.

It’s okay to feel anxious occasionally. On the other hand, anxiety disorders are different. This group of mental illnesses causes constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear. If you suffer from excessive anxiety, you may avoid work, school, family gatherings, and other social situations that could trigger or worsen your symptoms.

If you are anxious, you may want to see your primary care provider to see if there is a connection between your physical health and your anxiety. There may be an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated, which he or she can check for.

However, if you suffer from severe anxiety, you may need to see a mental health specialist. The role of a psychiatrist is to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Counseling (psychotherapy) and diagnosis can be provided by psychologists and certain other mental health professionals.

You may be given a psychological evaluation by your mental health provider to help diagnose an anxiety disorder. In order to pinpoint a diagnosis and check for associated complications, you will need to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In addition to anxiety disorders, depression and substance use disorders are often present, which complicates diagnosis.

Your symptoms may also be compared to those in the DSM-5. Anxiety disorders are often diagnosed using the DSM-5 criteria published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Psychotherapy and medication are the two main treatments for anxiety disorders. If you combine the two, you may be able to reap the greatest benefits. Discovering which treatments work best for you may require some trial and error.

The goal of psychotherapy, which is also known as talk therapy or psychological therapy, is to reduce anxiety symptoms by working with a therapist. Treatment for anxiety can be effective with it.

The most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is usually a short-term therapy that teaches you how to improve your symptoms and gradually return to activities you avoided because of anxiety. By gradually encountering the object or situation that triggers your anxiety, exposure therapy builds confidence that you can manage the situation.

Anxiety treatment is available at Body & Mind Consulting. We serve clients in Murfreesboro, Nolensville, Brentwood, Franklin, Smyrna, Mt Juliet TN, and surrounding areas.