DEFINITION: Everybody experiences anxiety and/or stress sometime. A person with an anxiety disorder experiences disabling, intense and irrational fears and worries that get in the way of daily life. An anxiety disorder differs from everyday stress in the following ways:

1. it is more severe,
2. it is long-lasting, and
3. it interferes with a person’s life. 

Some Common Anxiety Disorders Include:

• General anxiety disorder
• Phobias
• Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia)
• Panic Disorder

Symptoms of anxiety disorders:

A person with a general anxiety disorder might...

• worry excessively, more days than they don’t, about everyday problems and things out of their control for at least six months.
• not be able to relax, have trouble sleeping and concentrating and might be easily startled.
• have physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or feeling out of breath.

A person with phobias might...

• have an intense, irrational fear of something harmless like butterflies.
• do almost anything to avoid the object of their fear (a specific place, an event or object), and this may limit their life experiences in many ways.

A person with social anxiety disorder might...

• experience intense nervousness in social situations, performances or being in public.
• feel afraid that they are being closely watched, judged or criticized by other people.

A person with panic disorder might...

• experience recurring panic attacks, and is persistently worried about future panic attacks.
  • a panic attack is the sudden onset of intense fear or terror, even though the person is safe.
• experience sudden feelings of severe fright for no apparent reason.
• stay away from certain activities or places to try to avoid having panic attacks.
• Note: A panic attack can feel like a heart attack and can include physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, sweating, pounding heart or shortness of breath.

For managing day-to-day anxiety, a good diet, exercise, sleep, and self-calming techniques can help.

Reducing screen time and increasing outdoor activities can be beneficial.

Having supportive family and friendship networks also promote feelings of well being and can help someone get through difficult times.

Working with a mental health professional in talk therapy or taking medication prescribed by a psychiatrist are possible forms of treatment.

WAYS TO HELP SOMEONE WITH ANXIETY...

• Practice with the person to help them breathe slowly.
• Breathing can help the body calm and think clearly.
• Help the person think about something positive (e.g., sunset, beach, forest, puppies) for 12 seconds. These thoughts can replace stress or fear.  
• Sit the person down, if possible.
• Ask the person what has helped in the past.
• Remember that it is not helpful to try to convince someone with an anxiety disorder that there is nothing for them to worry about.

WAYS TO SUPPORT ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER...

• Educate yourself about the disorder.
• Listen to your friend when they want to talk.
• Keep checking in with your friend.
• Use 1st person language. Say,
  “My friend has anxiety.” not “My friend is anxious.”
• Reassure your friend of your support and understanding.

---

HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s not your fault.”
• “I’m listening.”
• “I am here for you.”
• “It’s the illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.”
• “This must be really difficult for you.”

---

HURTFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s all in your head.”
• “What’s wrong with you?”
• “Get over yourself, you have no reason to feel that way.”
• “Shouldn’t you be better by now?”

---

DO NOT [HURTFUL ACTIONS]... 

• ...tell a friend to “Snap out of it!”
• ...diagnose.
• ...gossip.
• ...take your friend’s withdrawal personally.

Find additional information on our Mental Health Disorders page and other suggestions on our Understanding Stigma page >>

Can you answer these questions?

1. What is the difference between anxiety or stress-related disorders and everyday stress (such as too much homework, a job interview, a championship game, or a big test)?
2. How common are anxiety disorders?
3. What are the signs and symptoms of each of the anxiety disorders?
4. What treatments are available for people experiencing the symptoms of these disorders?
5. What can you do to support someone with an anxiety disorder?
6. How do you think stigma might affect a person with an anxiety disorder?

*Hint: Read the ANXIETY facts at the top of this page to find the answers for 1-5. And view our Understanding Stigma page for question #6.