Anxiety Expression

Medically reviewed by Majesty Purvis
Updated February 29, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content Warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7. Please also see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention substance use-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Support is available 24/7. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
Anxiety is a standard human emotion that everyone experiences that serves as your body’s early warning system. However, for those with anxiety disorders, the anxiety does not subside and can interfere with a person’s ability to accomplish daily tasks with ease. Each person who experiences anxiety is unique, yet statistics have shown marked differences between demographic groups, especially prevalence. Read on to learn more about how anxiety disorders present and associated symptoms in many groups of people. 

Wondering if you are managing an anxiety disorder?
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What is anxiety?

Researchers at the American Psychological Association characterize anxiety as an emotion involving worried or anxious thoughts, feelings of tension or danger, and physical changes, like increased blood pressure or racing heartbeat. While everyone feels anxious occasionally, your different emotional reactions may indicate a disorder. These reactions include intrusive thoughts, overwhelming concerns, or constantly feel on edge with your body and brain endlessly in fight or flight mode. 

“Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.” — NIMH Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Why do disorders look unique for each person?

How an anxiety disorder presents can be as unique as the person experiencing it. Accordingly, the shape and form of anxiety symptoms can vary significantly from one person to another. Many professionals in the medical community believe this is due to links between how you process feelings of anxiety, your personality style, and various biological and environmental factors. These may include a person’s state of health, individual personality, and cognition (i.e., age-related neurodegeneration). 

How common are these disorders?

According to researchers at the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition among adults in the United States. The data shows that approximately 30% of American adults will be affected by an anxiety disorder throughout their lives. While they are common, anxiety disorders are also highly treatable, with multiple effective treatment options available to help you live a productive, adaptable life. 

Anxiety signs to notice

  • Behavioral—You may actively avoid people, places, and circumstances that could cause anxiety. You might also notice drastic changes in your sleep patterns and eating habits.  

  • Psychological—You might experience mood swings, irritability, stress, an overwhelming and intense feeling of impending doom or danger, disorientation, persistently feel nervous, worried, or afraid, have trouble making decisions or controlling worry, your mind may go blank or “brain fog” can make it difficult to focus.  

  • Physical—Your anxiety may cause muscle tension, fatigue, headache, stomachache, increased heart rate, trembling, hyperventilation or other breathing problems, sweating, or unexplained pain.

Types of mental disorders

Characterized by persistent, excessive anxiety and worry that can be difficult to control and interfere with daily functioning.
Involves sudden periods of overwhelming fear and anxiety, which can last for several minutes. You may experience these panic attacks without warning or apparent cause, often causing increased anxiety about future occurrences.

Characterized by the persistent fear of social situations, particularly those with exposure to unfamiliar people or involving performance. 

Consists of irrational fears of something with little or no risk of real danger. However, despite the lack of probable threat, you may experience extreme reactions when encountering the source of the phobia.

Occurs when a person experiences prolonged or recurrent distress about being separated from a loved, which can involve excessive concern about losing them to a disaster or illness. 

Affects individuals who have either witnessed or experienced a serious traumatic event or a series of traumatic events over time. PTSD can cause extreme emotional pain, physical illness, an anxiety disorder, and extreme fear.

Differences: Men and women

According to a 2021 study, men and women can experience anxiety symptoms differently and anxiety disorders in general. Outside of social anxiety disorder—which occurs equally across genders—women were significantly more likely to develop anxiety disorders. For example, women are more than twice as likely to experience panic disorders than men, along with associated symptoms of breathing difficulties, agoraphobia, and comorbid anxiety disorders. Another study reported that lifetime prevalence rates for anxiety disorders are 30.5% for females and 19.2% for males. While men and women often experience similar anxiety symptoms, the data shows that women generally face a greater burden from the disorder and are more likely to be diagnosed with another mental health condition besides anxiety.  

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Anxiety manifestations: Children and adolescents

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 5.8 million (9.4%) of the children in the United States have problems with anxiety. The CDC said roughly one in three of those kids also experience another mental health condition, with 37.9% having behavioral issues and 20.3% having depression. 

Young children typically do not have the ability to identify and express their emotional concerns, so physical symptoms are the most common presentation of anxiety. 

Recognizing symptoms of anxiety in children can be an important first step in helping support your child and following with mental health guidance from a professional. If your child has trouble processing their feelings of worry and fear, they may frequently complain of stomachaches, headaches, or other types of pain without another apparent cause. They may be constantly worried, clingy toward caregivers, have trouble sleeping, throw tantrums, exhibit trouble in school, or be overly self-conscious. 

In adolescents, anxiety symptoms will present differently than in children. They are more likely to internalize their anxiety which may stem from social anxiety, loneliness, and are more susceptible to depression. Teenagers may express their anxiety symptoms as moodiness, isolating themselves socially, confrontational behavior, significant changes in eating or sleep habits, decreased school performance, or other out-of-character behaviors. 

Occupation-related anxiety

A recent study shows that some professions are more stressful, emotionally demanding, and anxiety-inducing than others. Careers such as paramedics, teachers, police, firefighters, social workers, customer service and call center workers, correctional officers, and air traffic controllers are some of the most physically and psychologically demanding occupations. Many people in these positions often express low job satisfaction. 

Anxiety among minority groups

Mental health experts at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America report that up to 60% of people who identify as LGBTQ+ experience anxiety disorders—which is as high as 2.5 times higher than straight and gender-conforming people. 

Minority stress is anxiety and stress experienced due to race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, or other factors that make one part of a minority group. According to recent data, minority stress may be situational but is frequently a chronic condition with repeated exposure because it focuses on facets an individual cannot change. 

Know when to reach out for professional support and guidance

According to the Mayo Clinic, you should speak to your physician or mental healthcare provider about an assessment for an anxiety disorder if:

  • You worry too much, often to the point that it interferes with your relationships, work, or other areas of your life. 

  • Your worry, fear, or anxiety are difficult to control and cause substantial distress. 

  • Your anxiety symptoms cause depression, difficulties with alcohol or substance use, or other mental health issues that leave you concerned and distressed. 

  • You are worried your anxiety may be causing or linked to physical health problems. 

  • You have suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or ideation—this requires immediate treatment. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.

What causes anxiety?

While the medical community does not have a single conclusive cause for anxiety, most mental health professionals believe anxiety disorders develop due to a complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Your past experiences, variations in brain chemistry, developmental history, and your body’s response to threats can all influence whether an anxiety disorder occurs. 

Mental health risk factors

  • Past trauma, particularly in children who experienced or witnessed abuse or traumatic events. Adults who experience trauma are also at higher risk for anxiety disorders. 

  • Serious illnesses and health conditions can cause significant anxiety. 

  • The buildup of stress, either from big events or several more minor stressful situations, such as work problems, financial difficulties, and losing a loved one.

  • Some personality types and traits tend to have higher anxiety rates. 

  • Mental health conditions, such as depression, can create a higher risk for anxiety disorders. 

  • Genetics can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Having a blood relative with anxiety can put you at higher risk. 

  • Alcohol or substance misuse or withdrawal can cause anxiety symptoms or make them worse. 

— The Mayo Clinic

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.

Treatments for anxiety

According to a recent study, most treatment plans for anxiety disorders involve psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, or a combination of approaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most frequently used psychotherapy treatment for anxiety disorders, focusing on helping patients recognize and reshape thought and behavior patterns to healthier, more productive practices.

How therapy can help you manage anxiety symptoms

Wondering if you are managing an anxiety disorder?
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If you are having trouble managing your anxiety symptoms and want to make meaningful changes to your mental health, consider working with a licensed therapist online through a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp. If you are looking for different solutions to help your child with anxiety, TeenCounseling works with kids from 13 to 19. Therapy can help you identify harmful thought patterns and behaviors that may be linked to your anxiety. You can then work on shifting them to healthier habits with the support and guidance of a qualified therapist. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely used treatment for anxiety disorders. According to a recent study, online CBT can be as effective as in-person treatment, often at substantially lower costs with shorter waiting times. In the study, many patients said they preferred virtual therapy due to the convenience of attending from home, making participating in more sessions possible. Medical professionals also reported that the effectiveness and duration of therapeutic outcomes increase with the number of sessions attended by their clients. 

Takeaway

While managing occasional feelings of nervousness, anxiousness, or worry is normal, when these feelings compound, do not subside, or intervene with our ability to accomplish daily tasks may indicate an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders affect more than 25 million people in the United States, yet each individual and group may experience symptoms and treatment uniquely. The information in this article may help you understand how anxiety symptoms can present in different groups of people and how therapy can help you manage their effects.
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