Is Anxiety Is A Mental Sickness?
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. You might get nervous, feel butterflies in your stomach, or struggle to stop thinking about something stressful. If you frequently experience anxiety, you might wonder if it qualifies as a mental illness.
Anxiety On Its Own Is Not a Mental Illness
Although many people occasionally experience anxiety symptoms, anxiety itself is not classified as a mental illness. However, if your anxiety is severe, you might have an anxiety disorder, which is a type of mental illness.
Let's explore what constitutes a mental illness, when anxiety might be a symptom of a mental illness, and how to get diagnosed and treated for an anxiety disorder.
What Is a Mental Illness?
Mental illnesses are psychiatric conditions that affect a person’s moods, behaviors, and thoughts. They are common, with about 1 in 5 people experiencing a mental illness, and up to 4% experiencing a severe form of mental illness. To be considered a mental illness, a condition must significantly impact daily functioning.
Some people experience mental illness temporarily, but for many, it is a lifelong condition requiring careful management and effective treatment. Without treatment, mental illnesses can hinder job performance, relationships, and family dynamics. Fortunately, mental illnesses are treatable, allowing individuals to lead full lives.
Common Types of Mental Illnesses
- Depression (including unipolar and bipolar depression)
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder)
- Psychotic disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance abuse disorder
- Eating disorders
Is Anxiety a Mental Illness?
The emotion of anxiety itself is not a mental illness. Most people experience anxiety at different points in their lives, such as before giving a presentation, meeting someone new, starting a new job, or facing danger. Anxiety can be beneficial, signaling the need for caution or prompting you to avoid threats.
However, anxiety can also indicate a mental illness. Anxiety disorders share common traits:
- They can disrupt your life and make functioning difficult.
- The fear and anxiousness are intense and overwhelming, making it hard to alleviate these feelings.
- Unlike typical anxiety, anxiety disorders involve perceiving nonexistent threats or having exaggerated reactions to threats.
Anxiety disorders are prevalent, affecting about 30% of adults at some point. Certain groups, such as women, people with chronic conditions, and younger individuals, are more susceptible to anxiety disorders.
Common Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
How Is Anxiety Diagnosed?
If you're unsure whether you have simple anxiety or an anxiety disorder, getting a proper diagnosis is crucial. Start with your general doctor to rule out other health conditions that might share symptoms with anxiety, like thyroid disorders and heart conditions.
If your doctor suspects an anxiety disorder, they will likely refer you to a licensed therapist or psychiatrist. Diagnosis involves meeting with a therapist to discuss your symptoms and experiences. Therapists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose specific anxiety disorders based on the information gathered.
Anxiety Treatment
Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Therapy
Talk therapy with a credentialed counselor or therapist can help manage anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on being aware of thoughts contributing to anxiety, is particularly effective.
Medication
Many find relief from anxiety symptoms with medication. Antidepressants (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for overall symptom management, and anti-anxiety medications (usually benzodiazepines) can help with specific instances of anxiety, like panic attacks. Consult your doctor or psychiatrist to determine the best medication for you.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also benefit those with anxiety. Getting enough sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and engaging in regular meditation have been shown to mitigate anxiety symptoms.
