Anxiety is characterized by emotional, cognitive, somatic, and behavioral factors. Anxiety is a mixture of physical and mental symptoms. However, anxiety is not always pathological or maladaptive: it is a common emotion along with fear, anger, sadness, and happiness, and it has a very important function in relation to survival. This might indicate that anxiety is a protective mechanism designed to prevent the organism from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors.

Anxiety comes in many forms but the most common is social anxiety. Social anxiety is commmon and it makes up nearly 1/3rd of all psychological problems today. Social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. The general form of social anxiety is sometimes incorrectly called generalized anxiety disorder.

More On Anxiety

When under stress, it is normal to experience a certain level of anxiety. It helps someone adapt to a tense situation in school, at work, at home. In general, it helps one cope. However, when anxiety becomes excessive it could mean you have an anxiety disorder.

Five major types of anxiety disorders are:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Panic Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition, or both.

Your insurance plan should cover treatment what they classify as anxiety disorders. Call the phone number on your health insurance card and find out. If you are without medical insurance, do not panick. The Health and Human Services division of your county government should offer mental health care at a public mental health care facility that will charge you according to what you are able to pay. If you are on pubic assistance, your state Medicaid plan may be able to provide care.

How Depression and Anxiety are Linked

Anxiety and depression are both very serious mental illnesses all on their own. Unfortunately, they can also go hand-in-hand, making everyday life very difficult for the person who is suffering. Fortunately, if the conditions are recognized and proper help is obtained, they can be overcome successfully.

Let us examine the signs and symptoms of both anxiety and depression. While one condition is not mutually dependent on the other, it is common to see them both manifest together in a patient. Due to the potentially dangerous ramifications of anxiety and depression, it is important to get an early diagnosis and begin a treatment plan as soon as possible.

Anxiety's Signs

It is possible for anxiety to present in several ways. From distinct phobias to generalized anxiety about everyday things, the triggers will vary. Some of the symptoms that tend to go across the board, however, include:

Trouble sleeping

Stomach discomforts

Signs of a heart attack. Things like racing heartbeats, palpitations and even chest pains and discomfort can go along with anxiety. People often think they are having an actual heart attack.

If anxiety is particularly severe, a person might experience a full-blown panic attack. Panic attacks are scary to the patient suffering from them. People who suffer from anxiety will try to avoid putting themselves in a position that causes the above triggers to fire. Whether this is social situations, heights, public speaking or even being separated from family or leaving the house, the end result is the generally the same - some form of isolation. This is where anxiety and depression cross.

Depression's Telltale Signs

We all feel depressed at times, but clinical depression is like a black blanket that smothers a patient. The symptoms of this condition, if left unchecked, can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. Keeping an eye out for them is imperative when other mental illnesses, such as anxiety, are present. Some common symptoms include:

Feelings of guilt, hopelessness

Changes in eating habits

Thoughts of suicide or death

Depression and anxiety are very serious mental illnesses. Fortunately, both can be treated rather effectively if their signs and symptoms are recognized and acted upon properly. Counseling and medication can help a person overcome these conditions. Working through these conditions alone is not advised.