Is Anxiety a Mental Illness?

Is Anxiety a Mental Illness?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time – those butterflies in your stomach before an interview, the tension in your chest when facing a challenging situation. Anxiety is simply your brain’s way of alerting you to danger so that you can take appropriate action.

But when your anxiety becomes excessive and doesn’t go away with time, it could become a mental illness. This condition could interfere with your ability to work, socialize and carry out everyday tasks.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause intense fear and worry. They may interfere with daily activities, leading to avoidance of work, school, family gatherings or other social gatherings.

Treatments for an anxiety disorder may involve medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Medication may include anti-anxiety drugs, certain antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline.

Talk therapy teaches you how to regulate your thoughts and emotions, as well as alter behaviors that cause anxiety. It may also provide assistance in dealing with stressful or traumatic events.

Meditation and stress management are effective ways to combat the negative effects of anxiety. These techniques may aid in relaxation and improved sleep quality.

EMDR: This type of talking therapy utilizes eye movements to help you process and heal memories from a traumatic event. It may be especially helpful for individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, which aim to alter how you think and react to fearful or worrying situations. They’re commonly employed for those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).