Is Anxiety a Mental Disorder?

Symptoms of anxiety vary depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder and may include:

• Excessive anxiety and worry that is difficult to control
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Irritability
• Being easily fatigued
• Muscle tension
• Sleep problems
• Fears
  • Of humiliation or embarrassment
  • Of social situations and exposure to possible scrutiny by others 
  • Of being trapped without escape 
  • Irrational and out of proportion fear to specific situations (e.g., animals, insects, blood, needles, flying, heights)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Feeling as if you’re having a heart attack (patients with panic disorder often come to a hospital’s emergency department because they fear a heart attack is occurring)

Treatment for anxiety often involves a combination of medication and/or psychotherapy. 

Medications used to treat anxiety include: 

• Antidepressants
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 
  • Atypical antidepressants 
  • Tricyclic antidepressants 
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 
• Anti-anxiety drugs 
• Benzodiazepines, especially in emergency situations
• Anticonvulsants 
• Antihypertensive drugs 

Types of therapy used to treat anxiety include:

• Behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Computerized CBT (FearFighter) 
• Interpersonal psychotherapy 
• Supportive psychotherapy
• Relaxation therapy
• Mindfulness therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy (or insight-oriented therapy) 

Other treatments used for anxiety include: 

• Cranial electrotherapy stimulator (CES) for treatment of anxiety, depression, and insomnia

Hospitalization may be needed to treat severe anxiety in cases such as: 

• Severe functional impairment (cannot meet own daily needs)
• Deficits in social skills 
• Suicide or homicide risk
  • If you or someone you know are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential.