Anxiety: What it is and how to treat it.

Feeling anxious is normal. It can be stressful to deal with work, financial or family issues. But when anxiety becomes uncontrollable, it might be a sign of an anxiety disorder. About 33% of people experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.¹ That's why it's important to know what anxiety is and how to get support.  

Is it stress or anxiety? 

It might be confusing to know when you’re dealing with stress or anxiety. Both have common symptoms and can be treated in similar ways. Stress is the reaction to an event that happens like a fight with a loved one.² Anxiety is your body’s reaction to that stress. This is usually shown through feeling nervous or tense, a racing heart, trouble breathing and more.³

It's normal feel anxious from time to time. But when your anxiety doesn't go away and begins to interfere with your everyday life, it might be a sign that you're experiencing an anxiety disorder.

How anxiety is diagnosed.  

It is important to address anxiety because it can negatively affect your sleep, immune system, digestion and more.⁴ Anxiety is typically diagnosed by monitoring your feelings through a screening. There are many types of anxiety disorders including: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder: A persistent feeling of anxiety that interferes with daily life. 
• Panic disorder: Characterized by frequent panic attacks, which are periods of intense fear or discomfort. 
• Social anxiety disorder: Having the fear of being judged by others and even avoiding social situations. 

How anxiety can be treated. 

Once diagnosed, anxiety is typically treated through counseling and medication. Your doctor can help you determine what treatment plan is best for you. First Stop Health Virtual Primary Care doctors can diagnose and provide ongoing care for anxiety.  

Tips to reduce your anxiety. 

Alongside your treatment plan, these coping techniques³ can help to reduce your anxiety and improve your everyday life: 

• Attending support groups 
• Getting regular exercise 
• Meditating 
• Improving your diet 
• Getting enough sleep 
• Limiting caffeine
   

How we can help with anxiety. 

If you or a loved one is dealing with anxiety, it may be time to seek help. With First Stop Health Virtual Primary Care, our team is here to provide diagnosis and ongoing care, including prescriptions and referrals, when appropriate. If you also have First Stop Health Virtual Counseling available to you, know that our counselors are here to provide short-term, solution-focused counseling. Schedule a visit today!