The Mind at War: A Brief Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a silent, ongoing battle for millions of individuals around the world, no matter what the age. 

While being a natural human reaction, excessive and persistent anxiety can warp into complex emotions that become too difficult to express in a healthy manner. Thus, the majority of people will never seek help, and continue to lose their own minds. This growing, tangled web of worry and fear then develops into an anxiety disorder. Without treatment, anxiety can riddle the victim's life until they just snap. 

So how does one identify a disorder that's invisible?

Causes: 

Anxiety disorders do not present themselves in the same form. It is important to know where, why, and how anxiety affects the body in order to properly diagnose the correct disorder. 

Chemical imbalances in the brain's neurotransmitters and hormones due to sudden lifestyle changes can amplify anxiety, as well as increase activity in the amygdala, which is a part of the brain that plays a key role in controlling stress. Anxiety disorders can also be passed through genetics, with a Yale study showing how “anxiety-associated genes can also predispose to other mental illnesses…” However, one of the most important factors is the environment. Traumatic experiences and long lasting stress build enough tension to trigger anxiety disorders.

Signs and Symptoms:

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can be easy to dismiss and misunderstand, so it is important to carefully monitor them. Psychological symptoms may include:

•  feelings of fear, panic, dread, and nervousness

•  being easily irritable

•  having difficulty concentrating

 Physical symptoms may include: 

• Insomnia

• loss of appetite

• muscle tensions 

• cold sweats

• Nausea

Certain symptoms can also be associated with specific anxiety disorders. One of the most common anxiety disorders is social anxiety disorder. This can be diagnosed due to intense fear of being in a social setting and judged. Another common type is panic disorders, which are characterised by strong, sudden reactions to normal situations. A person with a panic disorder may experience panic attacks, where they sweat a lot, have difficulty breathing, and feel like they are experiencing a heart attack. Generalized anxiety disorder consistently causes fear and a state of overwhelmingness, which greatly impacts daily activities. 

Treatment: 

It is important to seek professional care early when diagnosing and treating these disorders instead of dismissing symptoms. Anxiety disorders can be treated through consistent therapy, medication use, and changes in lifestyle. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a relatively new method of treatment, has also shown promise with high rates of success. 

Sources: 

Anxiety disorders. Cleveland Clinic. (2025a, July 15). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders

Anxiety disorders. Cleveland Clinic. (2025b, July 15). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders

Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.-a). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) | anxiety and depression association of america, ADAA. (n.d.-b). https://adaa.org/finding-help/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation

Yale School of Medicine. (2024, September 19). Yale scientists uncover genetic predisposition to anxiety. Yale School of Medicine. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/yale-scientists-uncover-genetic-predisposition-to-anxiety/