What’s Worrying You? The Facts About Anxiety
Anxiety and stress are the same thing.
True
False
Anxiety and stress are the same thing.
Anxiety is an emotion -- you feel nervous or scared. Stress is a physical response to something you feel threatened by -- your heart beats faster, your breath comes quicker, and your muscles tense. It’s your body’s way of making you alert and prepared for action. Anxiety can be triggered by stress.
Anxiety can be a good thing.
True
False
Anxiety can be a good thing.
It may not be enjoyable, but it’s a normal emotion. And it can help you focus when you face a challenge or threat.
You may need to talk with your doctor if anxiety makes you:
Lose your appetite sometimes
Feel wound up or on edge often
Have trouble sleeping now and then
You may need to talk with your doctor if anxiety makes you:
A loss of appetite or sleep every once in a while because of anxiety is normal for most people. But people who have extreme fear and worry that won’t go away or interfere with their jobs or relationships may have an anxiety disorder. Some examples are generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
What percentage of American adults are affected by an anxiety disorder each year?
11%
18%
24%
What percentage of American adults are affected by an anxiety disorder each year?
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the U.S.
Who’s more likely to be affected by anxiety disorders?
Men
Women
Who’s more likely to be affected by anxiety disorders?
Women are twice as likely as men to have one. Your risk is also higher if you're under 35 or you have a chronic disease.
You may be more likely to have an anxiety disorder if you:
Are shy
Are divorced
Have a parent with a mental illness
All the above
You may be more likely to have an anxiety disorder if you:
You’re also at greater risk if you have money problems or have dealt with stressful life events.
Medication can cure anxiety disorders.
True
False
Medication can cure anxiety disorders.
Medication can only manage the symptoms. The ones usually used to treat them are antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. Other medicines can help control physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat or shaking or trembling. But you also may need therapy for the underlying cause.
Exercise works as well as medicine for some people with anxiety disorders.
True
False
Exercise works as well as medicine for some people with anxiety disorders.
In one study, people who did regular, vigorous exercise were 25% less likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Talk with your doctor about how to ramp up your exercise plan.
This can be a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder:
Feeling tired
Trouble sleeping
Restlessness
All the above
This can be a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder:
If anxiety prevents you from doing everyday things and just won’t go away, you may have this type of disorder. You might also have a hard time concentrating, be irritable, or have muscle tension.
Fear of this may be linked to a panic disorder:
Exercise
Flying
Obesity
Fear of this may be linked to a panic disorder:
This disorder involves repeated panic attacks -- sudden, intense fear that makes your heart pound and causes sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. You also may worry about when the next attack might happen and avoid places where you’ve had them before. For example, if you have one on an airplane, it can lead to a fear of flying.
An intense fear of this can be a sign of social anxiety disorder:
Public speaking
Crowds
Both
An intense fear of this can be a sign of social anxiety disorder:
You may feel nauseous and blush, sweat, or tremble when you’re around other people. You may be afraid of being embarrassed or judged, and may worry for days or weeks before a social event.
One way to treat an anxiety disorder is to face your fears.
True
False
One way to treat an anxiety disorder is to face your fears.
Called exposure therapy, it involves doing the things that make you anxious, with the guidance of a therapist. It’s usually used along with relaxation exercises. But studies have shown that it doesn’t work as well as cognitive therapy, which focuses on finding and addressing the reason behind your anxiety.