Anxiety Disorders Facts & Information

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stressful events or situations, for example, going on a first date, or making a speech in public. Lots of times anxiety can actually help you rise to the occasion. But when anxiety interferes with your ability to live normally, for example, when constant fears or overwhelming worries make it hard to meet personal, professional and community responsibilities, you may have an anxiety disorder—a serious but treatable mental illness.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

While symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have, common complaints include:

  • Panic attacks
  • Uncontrollable fears (phobias)
  • Obsessive or uncontrollable thoughts
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks about a traumatic experience
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Repeated ritualistic behaviors (constant hand washing, for example)
  • Trouble sitting still.


The physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorder may include:

  • cold, clammy (or sweaty) hands and feet
  • heart palpitations (racing heart) or a sense of skipping beats
  • dry mouth
  • shortness of breath
  • tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • muscle tension.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

The exact cause or causes are not known, but stress is a likely contributing factor. Your environment, along with your genes, hormones and brain chemistry are also thought to play key roles in developing anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders Treatment

Anxiety disorders are often treated with medication, counseling (psychotherapy), or a combination of both. The exact course of treatment will depend on your specific problem(s) and personal needs. Medications that can help in the treatment of anxiety disorders include:

  • Anti-Anxiety meeications
  • Antidepressant medications
  • Beta-Blockers.

You should check first with your family doctor or another qualified physician if you think you may have an anxiety disorder. He or she can determine if your problem is a true anxiety disorder or another medical problem (or both). If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder you should seek the care of a trained mental health professional (or professionals).

For more information about the Brattleboro Retreat’s programs & services for treating anxiety and other mental health or addiction issues, call 802-258-3700 or go to our  Central Intake Department.