do i have an anxiety disorder?

if feelings of panic or fear are interfering with your daily life, it's time to get help from a medical professional.

by dave yasvinski

published sep 14, 2022

4 minute read

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4 minute read

join the conversation

stigma around mental health often prevents people from getting help

a sign that it's time to seek help from a medical professional is when your anxieties are beginning to take up too much of your mental energy. getty

although everybody feels some anxiety in their everyday lives, people who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience intense and prolonged feelings of fear or distress that are out of proportion to real-life events. when thinking about these real (or imaginary) events, people with anxiety often feel an amplified sense of fear or unease so powerful it can interfere with their personal and professional lives. it may even compel them to avoid certain situations or places in an attempt to avoid feeling this way. they may experience these intense feelings most of the time or in short, intense bursts that occur for seemingly no reason. anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness, affecting an estimated 10 per cent of the population, according to health canada. much like heart disease or diabetes, anxiety disorders are believed to be the product of an assortment of biological factors, brain functions and personal circumstances acting in combination with social and economic factors. unlike heart disease and diabetes, however, anxiety disorders carry a social stigma among people who mistake them for weakness or instability. unfortunately, this stigma can prevent people with anxiety from seeking the help they need to live normal lives.

common anxiety disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. no matter how many disorders a person suffers from, however, properly identifying the root cause of the anxiety is the first step to successful treatment and a return to a sense of normalcy.

what are the symptoms of anxiety?

although symptoms can vary based on the specific form of anxiety, most disorders share some hallmark signs which include:

irrational and excessive fear
difficulty managing daily tasks or managing the distress related to these tasks
feeling apprehensive or tense
an increased heart rate
sweating or trembling
breathing quickly or hyperventilating
difficulty sleeping
trouble concentrating on things other than the current source of anxiety

a sign that it’s time to seek help from a medical professional is when your anxieties are beginning to take up too much of your mental energy or if they are difficult to control and interfere with your day-to-day life.

how is anxiety diagnosed?

determining the specific type of anxiety a person is experiencing is crucial to effective treatment. this usually begins with an examination by a health professional who can determine if a physical issue is the underlying cause. if there is no underlying health issue, patients may be referred to a psychiatrist who is better equipped to deal with mental health issues. a mental health professional can provide a psychological evaluation that includes a discussion about the specific thoughts, feelings and behaviours that relate to their anxiety. they will likely rely on the diagnostic and statistical manual (dsm) of mental disorders when making a diagnosis.

getting treatment for anxiety

doctors usually rely on a combination of psychotherapy and medication when addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. in addition to providing counselling, a therapist may use cognitive behaviour therapy, an extremely effective method of treatment that involves altering faulty or unhelpful thought patterns and teaching patients the skills they need to better cope with their psychological issues. it is often distortions in our own thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety and prevent us from even identifying the source of the problem.

medications, much like therapy, are specific to the type of disorder but may include antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. more powerful medications may be required depending on the severity of the disorder and the impact it has on a patient’s life. other treatments, such as relaxation training, meditation and stress management, can also be helpful.

can i prevent anxiety?

anxiety disorders still aren’t fully understood and can’t be prevented, but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. risk factors for a range of anxiety disorders, according to the centre for addiction and mental health, include stressful or traumatic life events, a family history of anxiety disorders, developmental issues, the use of alcohol or illegal substances and other psychiatric issues.

one in 10 canadians are affected by anxiety

it has been estimated that around one in 10 canadians are affected by an anxiety disorder. this figure may underestimate the extent of the problem, however, particularly in light of a prolonged pandemic that has disrupted lives and exacerbated mental health around the world. a recent survey found that one in four adult canadians were feeling moderate to severe anxiety with around the same number of people reporting that they have needed mental health services over the past 12 months but were unable to receive them because of the pandemic.

support and resources for anxiety

anxiety canada offers more information on and support for a range of anxiety-related disorders. the site also contains a link to an app that uses scientific-based strategies to help patients learn to relax, be mindful and take control of their anxiety.

dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.

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dave yasvinski

do i have an anxiety disorder?

if feelings of panic or fear are interfering with your daily life, it's time to get help from a medical professional.

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