What is Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Most people develop symptoms before age 21.

Anxiety is feeling fear or uneasy. Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. Anxiety can cause several symptoms. Most often, people feel overly worried or fearful. It can make it hard to sleep and concentrate. Individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including uneasy feeling, panic, or danger, trouble sleeping, anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work.

In addition, these feelings are accompanied at least some of the following symptoms: sleep disruption, trouble breathing (both shortness of breath and breathing faster than normal), restlessness or irritability, headaches, fatigue and insomnia feelings of apprehension or dread.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been shown to be highly effective in treating anxiety. Our clinicians at DBT Eastside specializes in Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) aimed at treating anxiety.