How To Describe Anxiety From A Psychological Perspective

It is important to understand how the mind reacts to the very physical sensations anxiety can produce. Anxiety is a complex area of study. There are many ways to describe anxiety but describing it from a psychological perspective is important for creating an individualized treatment plan. Anxiety presents with many symptoms, and a professional therapist or psychologist can make a big difference in the lives of those who live with anxiety disorders.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety itself is a trigger and reaction to the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands. When we are faced with danger or stress, the body triggers a release of adrenaline. When there is a real threat to safety, this release of adrenaline and the physical response it creates will help us manage the threat. When there is no present threat to safety, this release of adrenaline triggers what is commonly called an "anxiety attack.”

Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety

There are many physical symptoms of anxiety and understanding them helps to put the psychological symptoms into perspective.

This release of adrenaline increases the heart rate and blood circulation, and breathing increases as the body prepares our muscles for exertion. Increased heart rate and breath rate may result in feelings of lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. These alarming physical symptoms can even be similar enough to those of other conditions, like asthma or even heart attacks. Some evidence even suggests that anxiety could potentially cause heart attacks. Studies have also shown a correlation between anxiety and heart problems. That said, a direct line of causation between anxiety attacks and heart attacks has not yet been confirmed.

Even our metabolism reacts to the release of adrenaline, as carbohydrates begin to fuel the muscles for fight or flight. This can lead to symptoms as varied as jitteriness and indigestion. Some studies have even linked  - a condition in which stomach acid burns through a layer of mucous and damages the stomach wall. Ulcers can also be related to heartburn - a condition in which stomach acid rises into the throat, leading to chest pain that is often mistaken for more serious conditions.

Every body system (i.e., the nervous system, circulatory system, and digestive system) is affected by the release of adrenaline, including our brains. This can lead to jitteriness as well as confusion, which can exacerbate the sensations of an anxiety attack.

How To Describe Anxiety From A Psychological Perspective

Understanding the physical aspects of anxiety is important, but understanding the condition from a psychological perspective is also essential.

What An Anxiety Diagnosis Means

The diagnosis of emotional and mental disorders is anything but arbitrary. Health experts use a special manual called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, currently in its fifth edition. You will often see it referred to under its common acronym, the DSM-V.

This manual explains anxiety from a psychological perspective with a list of mental symptoms. Professional therapists and psychologists use this manual to diagnose anxiety and other conditions.

There are many different types of anxiety disorder, and it is important to seek professional help if you believe you are experiencing related challenges.

Anxiety Disorders And Symptoms

Below is a list of some anxiety disorders that are common; this list is not a complete guide, only a professional can make a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

• Generalized anxiety disorder: This condition is characterized by a constant but vague fear of virtually anything, even mundane or unlikely events.
  
  
• Social anxiety disorder: People with this condition do not always have feelings of anxiety like those with generalized anxiety disorder, but may more specifically experience feelings of anxiety in social situations. They may be worried that other people are talking about them, or that they are going to do something to embarrass themselves.
  
  
• Panic disorder: Panic disorder is a condition related to anxiety. It describes people who have particularly strong panic attacks and may even have a panic attack over the fear of one.
  
  
• Substance-induced anxiety disorder: This specific anxiety disorder is when people experience feelings of anxiety due to a drug that they are taking. Many illegal drugs can cause anxiety, but anxiety may also be a side-effect of prescription medications.
  
  
• Phobias: Phobias are intense fears of a specific thing, entity, or event, usually without basis. Most phobias do not cause anxiety because they are the fear of something that isn't usually a problem, like heights. Other phobias, like the fear of open or public spaces, are more pervasive and more impactful.
  
  
• Unspecified anxiety disorder: This non-specific anxiety disorder is usually used to describe someone who has symptoms of two or more specific anxiety disorders.
  
  
• Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety disorder occurs when an individual is worried about their separation or the results of their separation from another person (or animal). 

Treatment For Anxiety Disorders

Treatment for anxiety disorders varies depending on the type of disorder. The proper treatment can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety and control the psychological symptoms of this disorder. This list of treatment options is not a comprehensive list, and it should not be used to self-treat any anxiety disorder.

• Exposure therapy: This therapy, often used for people with phobias, gradually exposes them to the thing that they are afraid of so that they can understand that their fear is unfounded.
  
  
• Medications: Some people with anxiety, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, may find that some medications help them to avoid the symptoms of anxiety.
  
  
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This form of behavioral therapy helps people who experience profound anxiety to understand that the things that they are afraid of are natural and necessary elements of life. It also helps them to learn how to cope with their problems without panicking or experiencing attacks. This therapy is not often used for people with phobias because most phobias are irrational fears that it are difficult or impractical for them to embrace.
  
  
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT): These therapies help individuals to learn how they can change their thoughts of behavior in certain circumstances to reduce their feelings of anxiety.
  
  
• Mindfulness therapy: Mindfulness practices like meditation can often help people to reduce symptoms of anxiety before or during an attack. Through mindfulness therapy, people learn how and when to use these practices.
  
  
• Lifestyle changes: Sometimes, symptoms of anxiety are brought about by environmental or dietary factors that the individual can change in order to reduce symptoms of anxiety with little or no therapy.

Outside of medication, all the therapy types discussed above can be successfully administered online, providing an appealing option for people with anxiety disorders who may struggle with the task of booking an in-person appointment, due to social anxiety or other reasons. Through online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can schedule appointments at a time that works for your schedule, and from the convenience of a preferred location. All you need is a reliable internet connection. After taking an initial questionnaire, you will be matched with a caring, licensed therapist within 48 hours – a significantly shorter time than it often takes to find a counselor in your area who is qualified to support you with your specific challenges.

You should know that CBT, when administered online, is just as effective as in-person treatment. A 2020 study consisting of 204 adults diagnosed with anxiety took place over the course of 12 weeks. In that time span, online CBT was found to be just as impactful for participants of an in-person treatment cohort. In a separate literature review of 20 studies that examined the therapeutic impact of internet-based ACT on a broad range of anxiety-related conditions, researchers concluded that online ACT is an effective treatment for adults living with generalized anxiety disorder and symptoms of general anxiety.