Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it takes over and gets out of control, it can be a big problem. The good news is that anxiety disorders can be treated.

Treatment is usually done with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Lifestyle changes also can be helpful.

Triggers

Anxiety is a mental health condition that can be triggered by different things. It can affect a person’s mood, body chemistry and thoughts.

Triggers can be a variety of things, from major life stressors to past trauma. Identifying these triggers can help you cope better and manage anxiety more effectively.

Identifying your triggers can also help you figure out what causes you to feel anxious. You can keep a journal or download an anxiety app to track your feelings and see if there are common triggers for you.

The media can also be a trigger for some people, as it often reports on young deaths and dangers. This can make you think about a situation that could happen to you or someone you know, creating anxiety.

A health diagnosis that’s upsetting or difficult, such as cancer or a chronic illness, can also cause anxiety. Some medications, particularly stimulants, can increase your symptoms.

Symptoms

Everyone feels anxiety or fear from time to time, but it can become excessive and irrational. If you feel this is impacting on your life, it could be that you have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are very common, and are most often caused by a combination of stressful or traumatic events in your life. These can include the death of a loved one, trauma or prolonged illness.

Panic attacks are a type of panic disorder, and may cause physical reactions including sweating, trembling, faintness, rapid heartbeat, difficulties breathing or nausea. Some people may go to extreme lengths to avoid situations they think could bring on an attack.

If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, see your doctor. They will check for underlying health conditions and refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Treatment

There are a variety of treatments available for anxiety. They include psychological therapies and medication.

Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), teaches you to change your thinking and behavior. It may also involve exposure therapy - where you learn to face and overcome fears that trigger anxiety symptoms.

Medications, such as benzodiazepines and SSRI antidepressants, can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. They have a range of side effects and should be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

Your doctor will work with you to find the best combination of medications for you. They'll check to make sure that you don't have any serious side effects and that you don't build up a tolerance to them.

Many people who have anxiety disorders find they get better with treatment. You can try different types of treatments, such as mindfulness, hypnotherapy and self-help techniques, to see which works for you. You can also join support groups to meet others with the same condition as you.

Prevention

Several factors can contribute to anxiety, including genetics and environmental stressors. Children who have been abused or who witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing anxiety disorders, as are people who have chronic health problems that can cause them to be anxious.

Personality traits and family history also may predispose someone to developing an anxiety disorder, although these tend to be less common than other mental health conditions. Having a medical condition, such as a thyroid problem or heart arrhythmia, can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms, and drug or alcohol use can trigger them as well.

Another prevention strategy is to identify your triggers, which can help you understand when an episode of anxiety is most likely to occur. This can be done by keeping a diary or tracking your thoughts and feelings over time. You can even find a support group or an online forum to help you with this process.