More than 40 million adults in the United States live with an anxiety disorder, and fewer than half receive treatment. The prevalence is rising, but what is anxiety, and what is causing it? This special edition of Health examines the difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder. It includes a deep dive into this mental illness, including how anxiety affects the body, signs of a panic attack, pet therapy, and how to ask for help. Also included are research-backed remedies for relieving anxiety, as well as exercises to promote calm and overall well-being.
HEALTH: EASING ANXIETY
ANXIETY IN OUR WORLD • Are we more anxious than ever? Recent world events have exacerbated rates of anxiety disorders among adults. The good news: There are ways to cope.
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ANXIOUS? • The first step is understanding what anxiety is and how it (and its relatives, stress and worry) can impact the mind and body. Then come the best strategies to help manage it.
HOW ANXIETY AFFECTS THE BODY • The physical impact can be persistent and disruptive.
SIGNS YOU COULD BE HAVING A PANIC ATTACK • Panic attacks trigger a fight-or-flight response that can lead to a wide range of unpleasant symptoms. Here’s how to tell if you’re having one.
THE UPSIDE OF STRESS • While stress can have detrimental effects, it may not be entirely negative. It can motivate people to complete tasks, accomplish goals, and achieve the best results.
CAN ANXIETY BE CONTAGIOUS? • If you spend time with someone who has an anxiety disorder, are you more likely to develop one?
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EXERCISES THAT MAY HELP REDUCE ANXIETY • Your body plays a bigger role in your mental health than you might think. These exercises may provide some relief from anxious feelings.
ON THE MONEY • Do your finances stress you out? That simmering worry can weigh you down and tax your health more than you realize. Here, financial experts offer simple strategies you can start using now for greater peace of mind.
LIKES, FOLLOWS, AND FEAR • Spending hours on social media can increase young people’s feelings of anxiety, inadequacy, and fear of missing out. But done right, there may be advantages to connectivity.
THE HEALING POWER OF PETS • In hospitals, at work, and at home, animals have become increasingly popular therapeutic companions.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ANXIETY • These methods could be an alternative to traditional medicine to help soothe anxiousness and stress.
ALL ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE • This practice within traditional Chinese medicine is considered generally safe when performed by a licensed or board-certified practitioner. Here’s how it can ease anxiety.
THE PROBLEM WITH TRYING TO BE PERFECT • Perfectionists are more likely to experience anxiety, and they have a higher risk of suicide.
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ANXIETY IN CHILDREN • It’s normal for kids to be anxious from time to time, but are their worries cause for concern? Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for anxiety disorders in children.
HOW TO TALK ABOUT TEEN ANGST • It can be stressful for parents, too. One psychologist (and mom) explains the many shades of adolescent anxiety—and how to help an apprehensive kid.
MY ROAD TO A DIAGNOSIS • After her first panic attack, it took a full year for Andrea Petersen to discover the real reason for her racing heart and constant exhaustion.
THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE AN ADULT WITH SEPARATION ANXIETY • It was once thought to mainly affect kids, but separation anxiety can affect grown-ups, too.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HEALTH ANXIETY • For those living with health anxiety, the pandemic has amplified these worries and caused even more vigilance about how they feel on a daily basis....
