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Anxiety Disorders

Overview
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However,
people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and
persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety
disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense
anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic
attacks).
These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are
difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can
last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these
feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and
continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder,
social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation
anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes
anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.
Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help.
How common are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions:
- Specific phobias affect up to 12% of the U.S. population.
- Social anxiety disorder affects about 7% of the U.S. population.
- Generalized anxiety disorder affects about 3% of the U.S.
population.
- Agoraphobia affects up to 1.7% of the U.S. population.
- Separation anxiety disorder affects about 4% of children, 1.6% of
adolescents and up to 1.9% of adults.
- Selective mutism is the least common anxiety disorder. It affects
between 0.47% and 0.76% of the U.S. population.
Symptoms
Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:
Psychological symptoms may include:
- Feeling panic, fear, dread and uneasiness.
- Feeling on edge or irritable.
- Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.
- Difficulty concentrating.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Restlessness.
- Heart palpitations.
- Shortness of breath.
- Muscle tension.
- Cold or sweaty hands.
- Dry mouth.
- Nausea.
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or a
mental health professional if you frequently experience
these symptoms.
Several types of anxiety disorders exist:
-
Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety
disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that
might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or
embarrassed.
-
Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition includes
symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a
physical health problem.
-
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and
excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even
ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the
actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you
feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders
or depression.
-
Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden
feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak
within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending
doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or
pounding heart (heart palpitations). These panic attacks may lead to
worrying about them happening again or avoiding situations in which
they've occurred.
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A
traumatic event triggers this type of anxiety. You may
experience panic attacks or more general symptoms like
sleep problems, muscle tension or constant worry. These
attacks associated with PTSD can come up out of nowhere,
even when the cause is unidentified, but they’re often
rooted in a past traumatic experience.
-
Selective mutism is a consistent failure of children to
speak in certain situations, such as school, even when they can
speak in other situations, such as at home with close family
members. This can interfere with school, work and social
functioning.
-
Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder
characterized by anxiety that's excessive for the child's
developmental level and related to separation from parents or others
who have parental roles.
-
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves high
levels of anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations due to
feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness and concern about
being judged or viewed negatively by others.
-
Specific phobias are characterized by major anxiety when
you're exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to
avoid it. Phobias provoke panic attacks in some people.
-
Substance-induced anxiety disorder is characterized by
symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are a direct result of
misusing drugs, taking medications, being exposed to a toxic
substance or withdrawal from drugs.
-
Other specified anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are
terms for anxiety or phobias that don't meet the exact criteria for
any other anxiety disorders but are significant enough to be
distressing and disruptive.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
- You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with
your work, relationships or other parts of your life
- Your fear, worry or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to
control
- You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have
other mental health concerns along with anxiety
- You think your anxiety could be linked to a physical health problem
- You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors —
if this is the case, seek
emergency treatment immediately
Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may get worse over
time if you don't seek help. See your doctor or a mental health provider
before your anxiety gets worse. It's easier to treat if you get help
early.
Causes
The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. Life
experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders
in people who are already prone to anxiety. Inherited traits also can be
a factor.
Medical causes
For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue. In
some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a
medical illness. If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical
cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem.
Examples of medical problems that can be linked to anxiety include:
- Heart disease
- Chemical imbalances
- Diabetes
- Brain changes
- Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism
- Genetics
- Respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and asthma
- Environmental factors
- Drug misuse or withdrawal
- Withdrawal from alcohol, anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines)
or other medications
- Chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome
- Rare tumors that produce certain fight-or-flight hormones
Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications.
It's possible that your anxiety may be due to an underlying medical
condition if:
- You don't have any blood relatives (such as a parent or sibling)
with an anxiety disorder
- You didn't have an anxiety disorder as a child
- You don't avoid certain things or situations because of anxiety
- You have a sudden occurrence of anxiety that seems unrelated to life
events and you didn't have a previous history of anxiety
Risk factors
These factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:
-
Trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed
traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety
disorder at some point in life. Adults who experience a traumatic
event also can develop anxiety disorders.
-
Stress due to an illness. Having a health condition or
serious illness can cause significant worry about issues such as
your treatment and your future.
-
Stress buildup. A big event or a buildup of smaller
stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for
example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about
finances.
-
Personality. People with certain personality types are more
prone to anxiety disorders than others are.
-
Other mental health disorders. People with other mental
health disorders, such as depression, often also have an anxiety
disorder.
-
Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety
disorders can run in families.
-
Drugs or alcohol. Drug or alcohol use or misuse or
withdrawal can cause or worsen anxiety.
Complications
Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also
lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as:
- Depression (which often occurs with an anxiety disorder) or other
mental health disorders
- Substance misuse
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Digestive or bowel problems
- Headaches and chronic pain
- Social isolation
- Problems functioning at school or work
- Poor quality of life
- Suicide
Prevention
Currently, there’s no known way to prevent anxiety
disorders. But you can lessen many of the related issues
with treatment. Seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can
help decrease the disruption to your life.
-
Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health
conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
-
Stay active. Participate in activities that you enjoy and
that make you feel good about yourself. Enjoy social interaction and
caring relationships, which can lessen your worries.
-
Avoid alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and drug use can cause
or worsen anxiety. If you're addicted to any of these substances,
quitting can make you anxious. If you can't quit on your own, see
your doctor or find a support group to help you.
Diagnosis
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety
disorder, see a healthcare provider. They’ll start with a
medical evaluation. They’ll do a physical exam and ask about
your medical history, any medications you’re taking and if
any of your family members have been diagnosed with an
anxiety disorder.
There aren’t any blood tests or imaging scans that can
diagnose anxiety disorders. But your provider may run some
of these tests to rule out physical conditions that may be
causing your symptoms, like hyperthyroidism, for example. If
there isn’t an underlying physical cause, your provider may
refer you to a mental health professional.
A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or
psychiatrist, will do an interview or survey, asking
questions about your symptoms, sleeping habits and other
behaviors. They use criteria in the American Psychiatric
Association’s DSM-5 to make diagnoses of anxiety disorders.
To help diagnose an anxiety disorder, your mental health provider may:
-
Give you a psychological evaluation. This involves
discussing your thoughts, feelings and behavior to help pinpoint a
diagnosis and check for related complications. Anxiety disorders
often occur along with other mental health problems — such as
depression or substance misuse — which can make diagnosis more
challenging.
-
Compare your symptoms to the criteria in the DSM-5. Many
doctors use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric
Association, to diagnose an anxiety disorder.
Treatment
The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and
medications. You may benefit most from a combination of the two. It may
take some trial and error to discover which treatments work best for
you.
Psychotherapy
“Psychotherapy,” also called talk therapy, is a term for a
variety of treatment techniques that aim to help you
identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and
behaviors. A mental health provider talks through strategies
to help you better understand and manage an anxiety
disorder. Approaches include:
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is
the most common type of psychotherapy to help manage
anxiety disorders. CBT for anxiety teaches you to
recognize and identify thought patterns and behaviors
that lead to troublesome feelings. You then work on
changing the thoughts and your reactions to triggering
situations.
-
Exposure therapy: This is a type of therapy
in which a mental health provider creates a safe
environment to expose you to your fears. Fears may be
things, situations and/or activities. Exposure therapy
helps show you that you’re capable of confronting your
fears. You’ll learn to attach new, more realistic
beliefs to the things you’re afraid of. You’ll become
more comfortable with the experience of fear.
Medications
Two types of medication may help manage your symptoms:
-
Daily. You can take some medications regularly
to prevent anxiety as a whole.
-
As-needed. You can take medications only when
an episode occurs to lessen how your body reacts to
specific moments that trigger your anxiety. This is
perhaps most helpful when providing clarity to a
specific situation or managing physical symptoms of
anxiety like muscle tension, nausea and stomach ache in
the moment they happen.
Several types of medications are used to help relieve symptoms,
depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have and whether you also
have other mental or physical health issues.
For example:
-
Antidepressants: While they mainly treat depression,
these medications can also help with anxiety disorders.
They adjust how your brain uses certain chemicals to
improve mood and reduce stress. Antidepressants may take
some time to work, so try to be patient. SSRIs and SNRIs
are the go-to types of antidepressants for anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are another option, but they
cause more side effects.
-
Benzodiazepines: This class of medications may decrease
your anxiety, panic and worry. They work quickly, but
you can build up a tolerance to them. They also have
addiction potential, so you have to take them
cautiously. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a
benzodiazepine for the short term, then taper you off.
Benzodiazepines that can help treat anxiety disorders
include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam and lorazepam.
-
Beta-blockers: These medications can help reduce some of
the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, like rapid
heartbeat, shaking and trembling. They don’t treat the
psychological aspects of anxiety disorders.
Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the
right medication combination and dosage. Don’t change the
dose or stop taking medications without talking to your
provider first. They’ll monitor you to make sure the
medicines are working without causing negative side effects.
Lifestyle and home remedies
While most people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy or
medications to get anxiety under control, lifestyle changes also can
make a difference. Here's what you can do:
-
Keep physically active. Develop a routine so that you're
physically active most days of the week. Exercise is a powerful
stress reducer. It may improve your mood and help you stay healthy.
Start out slowly and gradually increase the amount and intensity of
your activities.
-
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. These substances can
cause or worsen anxiety. If you can't quit on your own, see your
doctor or find a support group to help you.
-
Quit smoking and cut back or quit drinking caffeinated beverages. Both
nicotine and caffeine can worsen anxiety.
-
Use stress management and relaxation techniques. Visualization
techniques, meditation and yoga are examples of relaxation
techniques that can ease anxiety.
-
Make sleep a priority. Do what you can to make sure you're
getting enough sleep to feel rested. If you aren't sleeping well,
see your doctor.
-
Eat healthy. Healthy eating — such as focusing on
vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish — may be linked to reduced
anxiety, but more research is needed.
Alternative medicine
Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety,
but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. Herbal
and dietary supplements aren't monitored by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) the same way medications are. You can't always be
certain of what you're getting and whether it's safe. Some of these
supplements can interfere with prescription medications or cause
dangerous interactions.
Before taking herbal remedies or dietary supplements, talk to your
doctor to make sure they're safe for you and won't interact with any
medications you take.
Coping and support
To cope with an anxiety disorder, here's what you can do:
-
Learn about your disorder. Talk to your doctor or mental
health provider. Find out what might be causing your specific
condition and what treatments might be best for you. Involve your
family and friends and ask for their support.
-
Stick to your treatment plan. Take medications as directed.
Keep therapy appointments and complete any assignments your
therapist may give you. Consistency can make a big difference,
especially when it comes to taking your medication.
-
Take action. Learn what triggers your anxiety or causes you
stress. Practice the strategies you developed with your mental
health provider so you're ready to deal with anxious feelings in
these situations.
-
Keep a journal. Keeping track of your personal life can
help you and your mental health provider identify what's causing you
stress and what seems to help you feel better.
-
Join an anxiety support group. Remember that you aren't
alone. Support groups offer compassion, understanding and shared
experiences. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Anxiety
and Depression Association of America provide information on finding
support.
-
Learn time management techniques. You can reduce anxiety by
learning how to carefully manage your time and energy.
-
Socialize. Don't let worries isolate you from loved ones or
activities.
-
Break the cycle. When you feel anxious, take a brisk walk
or delve into a hobby to refocus your mind away from your worries.
Preparing for your appointment
You may start by seeing your primary care provider. He or she may refer
you to a mental health professional.
What you can do
Before your appointment, make a list of:
-
Your anxiety symptoms. Note when they occur, whether
anything seems to make them better or worse, and how much they
affect your day-to-day activities and interactions.
-
What causes you stress. Include any major life changes or
stressful events you've dealt with recently. Also note any traumatic
experiences you've had in the past or as a child.
-
Any family history of mental health problems. Note if your
parents, grandparents, siblings or children have struggled with any
mental health problems.
-
Any other health problems you have. Include both physical
conditions and mental health issues.
-
All medications you're taking. Include any medications,
Vitamins, herbs or other supplements, and the doses.
-
Questions to ask your doctor to make the most of your
appointment.
Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my anxiety?
- Are there other possible situations, psychological issues or
physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my
anxiety?
- Do I need any tests?
- Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health
provider?
- What type of therapy might help me?
- Would medication help? If so, is there a generic alternative to the
medicine you're prescribing?
- In addition to treatment, are there any steps I can take at home
that might help?
- Do you have any educational materials that I can have? What websites
do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will likely ask you several questions, such as:
- What are your symptoms, and how severe are they? How do they impact
your ability to function?
- Have you ever had a panic attack?
- Do you avoid certain things or situations because they make you
anxious?
- Have your feelings of anxiety been occasional or continuous?
- When did you first begin noticing your feelings of anxiety?
- Does anything in particular seem to trigger your anxiety or make it
worse?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your feelings of anxiety?
- What traumatic experiences have you had recently or in the past?
- What, if any, physical or mental health conditions do you have?
- Do you take any prescription drugs?
- Do you regularly drink alcohol or use recreational drugs?
- Do you have any blood relatives who have anxiety or other mental
health conditions, such as depression?
Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your
time.
Living with Anxiety
How can I take care of myself if I have an anxiety disorder?
Aside from seeking professional medical help and treatment, certain
strategies can help you manage an anxiety disorder and make treatment
more effective. They include:
-
Stress management: Chronic or intense stress worsens
anxiety disorders. Explore stress management techniques, like meditation, breathing
exercises, mindfulness and
regular exercise.
-
Support groups: Participating in a support group for people
with anxiety — in-person or online — can provide opportunities to
relate to others, share experiences and learn different coping
strategies.
-
Education: Learning more about your condition and educating
loved ones can help you and them better understand the condition and
offer support.
-
Limiting or avoiding caffeine:
Caffeine can make the physical symptoms of anxiety worse. Talk to
your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your level of
caffeine consumption.
Related Support Group Web Sites
Helpful Apps
Calm (Apple)
| (Android)
Worry
Time (Apple)
Breathe (Apple
Watch)
Triangle
of Life (iPhone)
| (iPad)
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Your healthcare provider is your partner in your care. If you feel like
treatment for an anxiety disorder isn’t working or have questions about
your medication, contact your provider. Together, you can figure out how
to best move forward.
Foods and Drinks Linked to Anxiety
What to Avoid and What to Eat
Discover which foods and drinks can contribute to anxiety and which ones can
help reduce symptoms. Read this guide on how you can help improve your
anxious feelings through your diet.
When you’re feeling sad or anxious, it’s normal to crave
comfort foods. But have you ever felt even more
anxiety-ridden or blue after indulging in sugary confections
or a fried meal? Experts and studies alike suggest this
cyclical effect isn’t a coincidence.
Nearly 60% of calories in the average American’s diet come
from ultra processed foods, which are foods that have gone
through extensive processing to the point that they can no
longer be classified as whole foods. Research has shown that
consuming ultra processed foods is associated with anxiety
and depression symptoms.
So, what is the connection between what we eat and anxiety?
The answer is our gut.
The foods you eat directly affect your gut microbiome, which
is your gut’s ecosystem of microorganisms, including
bacteria, viruses and fungi. Your gut contains a delicate
balance of healthy and potentially harmful bacteria.
Ultra processed foods often encourage the growth of bad
bacteria, disrupting this balance and driving intestinal
inflammation. That inflammation directly affects your brain,
as the gut and brain are connected via the vagus nerve,
which sends neurochemicals between the brain and the gut.
In fact, you can think of your gut
as your “second brain.” It supplies 90% of your body’s
serotonin receptors, the “feel good” neurotransmitter that
helps regulate your mood, emotions, digestion and sleep.
Foods That Promote Anxiety
Here are some examples of foods that have been associated
with feelings of anxiety.
1. Processed meats and cheeses
Salami, prosciutto, brie and aged cheddar may taste
delicious, but these cured meats and aged cheeses you often
find on a charcuterie board may have an anxiety-inducing
effect.
Research shows that these foods can aggravate histamine
production in your body. Histamines are chemicals your
immune system releases when they target an invader in your
body, causing allergy symptoms in response.
While the connection between histamine and anxiety isn’t
fully understood, research
suggests that those with anxiety disorders may have more
trouble breaking down histamine, a condition known as
histamine intolerance. When histamine builds up in the body,
it can lead to symptoms that mimic anxiety, including
increased heart rate and gastrointestinal distress, which
can amplify anxiety.
The histamine content in cheese and meats increases during
the aging process. That’s because its proteins break down,
freeing an amino acid called histidine, which can be
converted into histamine.
2. Fried foods
French fries, fried chicken, onion rings, donuts and
beer-battered fish are some examples of the plethora of
fried foods that are often cooked with vegetable oils, a
process that increases
inflammation and contributes to feelings of anxiety.
Many experts are concerned that omega-6 fatty acids found
in seed
oils – such as safflower, sunflower and grapeseed oils –
used in cooking could contribute to inflammation. The body
converts linoleic acid, the most common type of omega-6,
into arachidonic acid, which plays a complex role in
inflammation and has been associated with both inflammatory
and noninflammatory reactions in the body.
That inflammation may contribute to generalized
anxiety disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder, panic disorder and certain phobias,
according to research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
3. Sugary foods and beverages
Sugar has been shown to feed bad bacteria (flora) in your
gut and promote inflammation.
Additionally, consuming high amounts of sugar can cause blood
sugar spikes and crashes, which can affect
your mood and contribute to anxiety. When blood glucose
rapidly fluctuates (specifically when it drops), it can
mirror anxiety symptoms or make existing anxiety even more
intense.
We find added
and refined sugars in so many foods these days,
Often you don’t realize they’re in savory foods, like salad
dressings, store-bought tomato sauces and … ketchup.
Watching for those and being careful about what you’re
consuming becomes so important.
4. Highly caffeinated drinks
Beverages that contain caffeine,
such as coffee and energy
drinks, can increase anxiety.
This is because caffeine activates adenosine receptors,
which are involved in mediating the body's fight-or-flight
response, in the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Experts say that excessive intake of caffeine can boost the
risk of panic attacks, especially in people who have
diagnosed psychiatric conditions. Research found in the
journal General
Hospital Psychiatry revealed that consuming the amount
of caffeine found in five cups of coffee can induce a panic
attack in people with panic disorder and increase
anxiety in those who don’t have the disorder.
5. Alcohol
There’s substantial evidence behind alcohol’s potential
contributions to anxiety and depression. Recent research suggests
that regular, high
consumption of alcoholic beverages may contribute to
long-term anxiety, but more studies are needed to understand
this relationship.
Foods and Drinks That Reduce Anxiety
On the other hand, there are many foods that can help
support a healthy gut, which can contribute to a steady
mood. However, it’s important to note that if you’ve been
dealing with crippling anxiety, these foods likely won’t
make much of an impact. Talk to your health care provider
and licensed therapist for support.
Generally speaking, these foods can help reduce anxiety for
some people:
1. Fatty fish
Fatty fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can combat
inflammation in your body and promote serotonin
production, which can help keep anxious thoughts at bay.
Research indicates that those who regularly enjoy seafood
have a reduced risk of developing depression,
which can go hand-in-hand with anxiety.
Choose these fish:
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Anchovies
- Sardines
- Herring
2. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants,
so it’s no surprise it’s been linked with benefits for
your gut and mood. Studies suggest
that a high intake of inflammation-fighting
antioxidants, whether through food or supplements, is
associated with improved anxiety and depression
symptoms. Recent research found that consuming dark chocolate
with 85% cocoa can have a prebiotic-like effect on your
gut. Prebiotics enable
gut-healthy probiotics to flourish, which can help
support a positive mental state. 3. Fermented foods
Studies have long shown that regularly consuming fermented
foods can help alleviate anxiety thanks to their
high levels of probiotics, which can support a healthy
microbiome and a stable mood. Fermented foods include:
- Yogurt and kefir
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Pickled
vegetables
4. High-fiber foods
Fiber from whole foods – such as fruits, vegetables,
whole grains and beans – help manage blood sugar levels,
which can help stave off anxiety. High-fiber foods break down much more slowly in your body
and they prevent that insulin spike
and that sugar crash that people might feel when they eat a
sugary doughnut, If you can even out your blood sugar, it
can be more calming for your system.
5. Herbal teas
If you’ve ever sipped on a cup of chamomile tea before bed,
you know firsthand how powerful a soothing herbal tea can be
for relaxation. Sipping on lavender tea, for example, has
been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Apart from chamomile and lavender, other herbal teas that
may contribute to calmness and support digestive health
include:
- Peppermint tea
- Ginger tea
- Ashwagandha tea
One Final Note..
Certain foods and beverages, especially ultra processed
options, may amplify feelings of anxiety and depression.
To support your mental health and wellness, limit your
consumption of those foods and, instead, reach for healthier
options that can support a healthy gut and, in part, produce
a calming effect on your mind.
However, if you think there’s a bigger issue going on, it’s
always a good idea to reach out to your doctor or a mental
health professional.
You don’t need to live with constant worry and fear. If you notice
symptoms of an anxiety disorder, talk to a healthcare provider. It’s
best to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Doing so can
limit the problems that anxiety disorders can cause. Often, a
combination of medications and counseling for anxiety can help you feel
your best.
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