Physical symptoms and evaluation & Psychotherapy and individualized treatment

Physical symptoms and evaluation

Anxiety can involve dizziness, breathlessness, aches, racing heartbeat, avoidance, and difficult-to-control thoughts. Genetics, brain biology, stress, environment, or trauma may contribute. Caffeine, substances, and some medicines can worsen symptoms. Evaluation considers history and may investigate thyroid or heart-rhythm problems that resemble anxiety. Psychological assessment characterizes the pattern. Physical symptoms need context rather than automatically assuming every fast heartbeat is panic or excluding anxiety whenever bodily symptoms occur.

Psychotherapy and individualized treatment

Treatment can involve psychotherapy, medicines, or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy changes patterns of thinking and responding. Exposure therapy helps a person face feared situations and resume avoided activities. Acceptance and commitment approaches can use mindfulness and goals. Medicines are selected according to the disorder and response. Support groups or stress-management techniques may help. Care addresses functioning and behavior as well as symptoms, instead of expecting one universal treatment to fit every person.

Key concepts

Normal stress versus persistent disruption

Anxiety is fear, dread, or uneasiness and can include tension, sweating, restlessness, or a pounding heart.

Different anxiety patterns

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive everyday worry on most days for at least six months.

Physical symptoms and evaluation

Anxiety can involve dizziness, breathlessness, aches, racing heartbeat, avoidance, and difficult-to-control thoughts.

Psychotherapy and individualized treatment

Treatment can involve psychotherapy, medicines, or both.

References

• MedlinePlus en español — Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders