Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in the United States. About 19% of adults experience an anxiety disorder in any given year, and nearly one in three will experience one at some point in their lives. That’s roughly 40 million adults annually. Despite how common anxiety is, only about 37% of people who have it receive treatment. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed, and symptoms often start in childhood or adolescence, though anxiety can develop at any age.
When anxiety becomes persistent, it can affect many areas of life. It may interfere with self-care, make it harder to stay organized or make decisions, and create tension in relationships. Work or school performance often suffers. Over time, many people find their world getting smaller. They avoid certain places, stop trying new things, or pull back from social situations. When anxiety starts shaping your daily choices and limiting what feels possible, therapy can help.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders involve fear or worry that feels out of proportion to the situation, or that continues even after the stressor is gone. Common types include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Agoraphobia
These conditions look different from one another, but they share some common threads—heightened worry, physical tension, and patterns of avoidance. Someone with generalized anxiety might also have panic attacks during stressful periods, for example. It’s also common for people to meet criteria for more than one anxiety disorder at the same time, or to move between different presentations over the course of their lives.
Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was classified as an anxiety disorder for many years, which is why it’s often discussed alongside conditions like generalized anxiety and panic disorder. In 2013, the DSM-5 moved OCD into its own diagnostic category—Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders—because it has distinct features. OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce distress. While anxiety is frequently present in OCD, the underlying mechanisms differ from other anxiety disorders. Despite this reclassification, OCD and anxiety disorders commonly occur together and respond to many of the same evidence-based treatments, including cognitive-behavioral approaches and exposure therapy.
Is PTSD an Anxiety Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was also classified as an anxiety disorder in earlier editions of the DSM, which is why it often appears in discussions of anxiety treatment. The DSM-5 moved PTSD into a separate category—Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders—to reflect its distinctive origins and symptom profile. PTSD develops in response to a specific traumatic event and involves intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal that are all directly linked to that trauma. While fear and hypervigilance are certainly present, PTSD encompasses a broader range of experiences than anxiety disorders typically do, including emotional numbness, detachment, and significant shifts in how someone views themselves or the world. PTSD and anxiety disorders frequently occur together.
How Does Anxiety Show Up in Daily Life?
Anxiety often builds gradually. It can show up in how you make decisions, which situations you avoid, how you interpret what people say, or how much you prepare before doing something. Physical symptoms are common too, such as trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, feeling tired all the time, muscle tension, stomach problems, headaches, or a racing heart. Some people become more irritable or withdrawn. Others feel like they can’t focus or relax, even during routine tasks.
When anxiety goes untreated, it can lead to ongoing sleep problems, worsening physical health, and more trips to the doctor. It’s also linked to higher rates of depression and substance use. If anxiety is affecting your ability to function or enjoy your life, getting support can make a real difference.
Treatment for Anxiety
Treatment is tailored to the type and severity of your symptoms. Evidence-based options include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify thought and behavior patterns that keep anxiety going, and teaches you skills to change them.
- Exposure Therapy: A gradual, structured way to face feared situations in a safe environment, which reduces avoidance over time.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focuses on building flexibility in how you respond to anxiety and reconnecting with what matters to you.
- Medication: Sometimes recommended when symptoms are severe or when therapy alone hasn’t been enough.
We also offer specialized stress management services for those looking to build coping skills and address the everyday pressures that can worsen anxiety symptoms.
Many people benefit from a combination of therapy and skill-building, and medication when needed. Starting treatment early tends to lead to better outcomes, but it’s never too late to get help.
Get Support at Miami Counseling & Resource Center
Our clinicians specialize in treating anxiety and related conditions for clients of all ages. We’ll help you understand what’s driving your symptoms, build practical skills to manage stress, and regain stability in the areas of life that have felt overwhelming.
If you’re looking for anxiety therapy in Florida, we’re here to help. Reach out to learn more or schedule an appointment.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
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