Addressing Anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions

An individual dealing with anxiety often questions his mental and emotional state. There is too much worry and unexplained that sometimes gets accompanied by physical manifestations. These include experiencing chest pain, choking sensation, muscle sprain, difficulty breathing, having increased heart rate, nervousness, and trouble concentrating. To know more about anxiety, here are some of the answers to the frequently asked questions.



What are the six major types of anxiety disorders?

The major types of anxiety are the following: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, Agoraphobia, and Social Anxiety Disorder.


 What are the treatment options for anxiety disorders?

There are many therapy and medication options to treat anxiety. However, the leading approaches include exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Each of these two anxiety therapies can be used alone or combined with other types of therapy. It is vital to note that it may take some trial and error to determine which of these treatments work best for you.

Though there might be a fit therapy that perhaps suits you, it would be best to accompany therapy with doctors’ prescribed medication. You should at least manage your symptoms once and for all and do not rely on one method for your entire life.

 How can you tell if a person has anxiety disorders?

You can quickly tell if an individual has anxiety disorder when there is a feeling of nervousness and restlessness. It can also be spotted when there’s an increased heart rate, trembling, sweating, hyperventilation, fatigue, trouble concentration, and constant worry.

But be mindful that signs and symptoms of anxiety vary on different individuals. There are instances that some of the warning signs are unnoticeable. If ever you want to know if a person is indeed experiencing an anxiety disorder, consult a medical professional and diagnose the condition. It is better to secure a diagnosis instead of sticking to an assumption. That way, the individual and the person around will know the proper way to adjust.

 What do you say to someone with anxiety?

There are things you should say to someone with anxiety. You must show encouragement. But you have to consider the person’s thoughts and feelings. Ask them what they need, how they currently feel, and what are the thoughts in their head. Offer support in a very accommodating way that they will not feel their feelings are invalid.

But in case you are not sure what to do, avoid complicating things by asking the person too many personal questions. It is safe to say that an anxious individual is often sensitive with his words, thoughts, and behavior. Also, note that not because they avoid social situations, it does not mean you need to go and insist on your presence. Allow the person to have some space for a while but still maintain your connection with him. Please do not assume that what he’s mentally going through is something you can easily understand. It will only make the person feel that his psychological condition is not something one should take seriously.

 How do you redirect anxiety?

You can redirect your anxiety through the following methods. Practicing mindfulness, labeling things, trying cognitive de-fusion, and focusing on direct experience. You can also broaden your view, stay in the present, get up and get going, and attempt cognitive distancing.

Yes, most of these are quite not easy to do, especially when dealing with a severe anxiety case. But it is significantly important that you take the initiative to work on your overall recovery. Thus, no matter how hard the process might be, you need to realize that redirecting your mental health condition is the safest way to wellness.

 Should I talk about my anxiety?

Yes, it would be healthy if you constantly considered talking to someone about your current situation. Talk to a family or friend about how you’re feeling and let them know the thoughts running in your head. At times you may share too much information, and that is okay. The important thing is that you express your feelings to someone you know you can trust can help you feel supported.

Understandably, the first attempt is always the hard part. But once you let those emotions out, you will surely feel better. If you want to cry, do it. Release your emotional burden by letting your loved ones know that you are not okay. If they care for you, they will be there to support you and stick with you through your most epic mental health battle.

 Is anxiety a mental illness?

You can consider anxiety as a mental health condition when it interferes with daily activities. Anxiety disorder is a serious medical condition that can make you avoid work, school, and self-care. In some instances, it makes you isolate yourself and avoid social situations due to the fear of experiencing its triggers.


 What should you not say to someone with anxiety?

People with anxiety are often sensitive about their feelings and everything around them. You must be careful in your words. Thus, you should not tell them everything is going to be fine, they need to push through it, or they should calm down. Please do not say that they are only acting like this because it’s relevant to be anxious. These things will not only offend them but will make their anxiety even worse.

As an individual who does not have an issue with mental health, you need to be aware of others’ responsibility. Not because they are struggling with something you thought you knew, it does not give you the right to say things based on how much you can handle. Think about your words as something that can only make the situation more complicated.

 How do I ask for anxiety medication?

When asking your doctor for anxiety medication, there are guidelines you need to follow. First is you have to be direct and specific about what you are experiencing. If the doctor recommends a specific medication, be open about asking why they choose the medication. That way, you can be cautious about looking for possible side effects so you can avoid complications in the long run.


 What helps severe anxiety?

Severe anxiety is an entirely complicated condition. You must practice relaxation techniques regularly to put your mind and body in a balanced state. It would benefit if you worked on progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness meditation, and deep breathing. You need to essentially focus on your emotional well-being so that it won’t trigger anxiety symptoms.


 What is a drug that calms you down?

One of the most recommended medications that experts often give to patients with anxiety is Benzodiazepines. However, drugs such as Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, and Ativan work quickly as well. Usually, they bring relief within 30 minutes to an hour after taking a recommended dosage.


 What is the best mood stabilizer for anxiety?

The best and most common mood stabilizers are Valproate, Lamotrigine, Lithium, and Antipsychotics.


 Does anxiety lead to bipolar?

In some complicated cases, anxiety leads to bipolar disorder. That is because the suffering from both mental health conditions has been associated with decreased functioning and quality of life. At times, there is an increased likelihood of a significant trigger for manic episodes, which somehow leads to substance abuse and suicide attempts.


 What medications do psychiatrists prescribe for anxiety? 

Most psychiatrists recommend Xanax, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Ativan, and Desyrel for anxiety medication.



Anxiety is a mental condition that you cannot just shrug off any time you want. Though there are some instances that its symptoms are not that severe, those warning signs can still take a toll on someone’s life. Sometimes, the mental condition slowly cripples a person, distract his concentration, make him lose control over his emotions and thoughts, etc. There is nothing entirely consistent with anxiety aside from the exaggerated fear that often comes from nothing in particular.