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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Condition: Anxiety Disorders

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. It can help you to cope. The anxiety may give you a boost of energy or help you focus. But for people with anxiety disorders, the fear is not temporary and can be overwhelming.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are conditions in which you have anxiety that does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD worry about ordinary issues such as health, money, work, and family. But their worries are excessive, and they have them almost every day for at least 6 months.
  • Panic disorder. People with panic disorder have panic attacks. These are sudden, repeated periods of intense fear when there is no danger. The attacks come on quickly and can last several minutes or more.
  • Phobias. People with phobias have an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. Their fear may be about spiders, flying, going to crowded places, or being in social situations (known as social anxiety).

What causes anxiety disorders?

The cause of anxiety is unknown. Factors such as genetics, brain biology and chemistry, stress, and your environment may play a role.

Who is at risk for anxiety disorders?

The risk factors for the different types of anxiety disorders can vary. For example, GAD and phobias are more common in women, but social anxiety affects men and women equally. There are some general risk factors for all types of anxiety disorders, including:

  • Certain personality traits, such as being shy or withdrawn when you are in new situations or meeting new people
  • Traumatic events in early childhood or adulthood
  • Family history of anxiety or other mental disorders
  • Some physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or arrhythmia

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

The different types of anxiety disorders can have different symptoms. But they all have a combination of:

  • Anxious thoughts or beliefs that are hard to control. They make you feel restless and tense and interfere with your daily life. They do not go away and can get worse over time.
  • Physical symptoms, such as a pounding or rapid heartbeat, unexplained aches and pains, dizziness, and shortness of breath
  • Changes in behavior, such as avoiding everyday activities you used to do

Using caffeine, other substances, and certain medicines can make your symptoms worse.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?

To diagnose anxiety disorders, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may also have a physical exam and lab tests to make sure that a different health problem is not the cause of your symptoms.

If you don't have another health problem, you will get a psychological evaluation. Your provider may do it, or you may be referred to a mental health professional to get one.

What are the treatments for anxiety disorders?

The main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy (talk therapy), medicines, or both:

  • Psychotherapy can help you recognize and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. To be effective, it should focus on your specific anxieties and needs. There are many types; some of the types used for anxiety disorders include:
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you different ways of thinking and behaving. It can help you change how you react to the things that cause you to feel fear and anxiety. It may include exposure therapy. This therapy focuses on having you confront your fears so that you will be able to do the things that you had been avoiding.
    • Acceptance and commitment therapy may help with some anxiety disorders. It uses strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting to reduce discomfort and anxiety.
  • Medicines to treat anxiety disorders include anti-anxiety medicines and certain antidepressants. Some types of medicines may work better for specific types of anxiety disorders. You should work closely with your provider to identify which medicine is best for you. You may need to try more than one medicine before you can find the right one.

Support groups and stress management techniques may also be helpful.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Contents

  • Podcast
  • Treatments & Procedures
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

UAMS Health Talk Podcast

In the UAMS Health Talk podcast, experts from UAMS talk about a variety of health topics, providing tips and guidelines to help people lead healthier lives. Listen to the episode(s) featuring the topic of Anxiety Disorders.

Find other great episodes on other topics and from other UAMS Health providers.

Listen to More Episodes

Treatments and Procedures Related to Anxiety Disorders

UAMS Health providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Medication Evaluation and Management

Providers Diagnosing or Treating Anxiety Disorders

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Anxiety Disorders. Review each provider for availability.

Filter the Providers


Jayne Bellando, Ph.D.

Jayne Bellando, Ph.D. Child and Adolescent Psychologist

View Profile
Autumn M. Brown, M.D.

Autumn M. Brown, M.D. Family Medicine Physician

View Profile
Mary Denise Compton, Ph.D.

Mary Denise Compton, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist

View Profile
Trenesha L. Hill, Ph.D.

Trenesha L. Hill, Ph.D. Psychologist

View Profile
Tiffany A. Howell, Ph.D.

Tiffany A. Howell, Ph.D. Psychologist

View Profile
Sufna  G. John, Ph.D.

Sufna G. John, Ph.D. Psychologist

View Profile
Mina D. Nguyen-Driver, Psy.D.

Mina D. Nguyen-Driver, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist

View Profile
Shona L. Ray-Griffith, M.D.

Shona L. Ray-Griffith, M.D. Psychiatrist

View Profile
Amy D. Seay, Ph.D.

Amy D. Seay, Ph.D. Child and Adolescent Psychologist

View Profile
Allen C. Sherman, Ph.D.

Allen C. Sherman, Ph.D. Psychologist

View Profile
Mara E. Whiteside, Ph.D.

Mara E. Whiteside, Ph.D. Neuropsychologist

View Profile
Brooke L. Yancey-Ward, Psy.D.

Brooke L. Yancey-Ward, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat Anxiety Disorders

Note that the treatment of Anxiety Disorders may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

Filter the Locations


Psychiatric Research Institute

Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

4224 Shuffield Drive
UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

General Information
501-526-8620
View Location Get Directions
Behavioral Medicine

Behavioral Medicine Clinic

449 Jack Stephens Drive
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-686-8700
New Patients
501-686-8700
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Exterior for The David M. Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children

Child Study Center Outpatient Therapy Clinic

1210 Wolfe St.
Center for Safe and Healthy Children
Little Rock, AR 72202

Appointment Phone Number
501-364-5150
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
James L. Dennis Developmental Center Exterior Photo

James L. Dennis Developmental Center

1301 Wolfe St.
Little Rock, AR 72202

Appointment Phone Number
501-364-1830
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Crisis stabilization unit entrance in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit

3001 W. Roosevelt Road
Pulaski County District Court Building
Little Rock, AR 72204

Appointment Phone Number
501-340-6646
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Waiting area of the Schmieding Developmental Center

Schmieding Developmental Center

2575 S. Gene George Blvd.
Children's Center for Health and Wellness
Suite 100
Springdale, AR 72762

Appointment Phone Number
479-750-0125
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Psychiatric Research Institute

Walker Family Clinic

4224 Shuffield Drive
UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
501-526-8200
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Anxiety Disorders

Behavioral Health

Behavioral health care at UAMS Health includes a wide range of outpatient and inpatient services.

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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