Anxiety is a normal feeling that can arise in many situations. But when anxiety begins to interfere with daily life, it can cause you to lose control of your emotions and feelings.

The condition can be treated with medication, psychotherapy and self-care strategies. Talk to your health care provider to learn more about the best treatment for you.

Symptoms

Everyone feels anxious at times, but sometimes anxiety can get out of hand and interfere with daily life. It can affect people in many ways, from their ability to perform at work (mahi) to their relationships with friends and whanau.

The most common type of anxiety disorder is generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). This happens when you worry about a wide range of things, rather than one specific thing.

Symptoms of GAD may include feeling restless or worried, and having trouble concentrating or sleeping. It can also lead to physical symptoms, such as pain and a pounding heart.

The cause of anxiety is not fully understood. Factors, such as genetics and brain biology and chemistry, seem to play a role.

Causes

There are a number of things that increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder. These include genetics, a history of mental health problems, and exposure to traumatic events.

Anxiety can also result from physical health conditions such as heart disease, thyroid disorders and lung disease. It's important to get a full physical exam when talking with your doctor about anxiety symptoms.

You can help control your anxiety by eating healthy foods, getting enough exercise and limiting your caffeine intake. Caffeine increases stress hormones, which can aggravate symptoms of anxiety.

Avoiding alcohol, drugs and nicotine can also help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the safest ways to reduce your anxiety, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Diagnosis

When a person's anxiety symptoms are more than temporary worry or fear and don't go away, they may need to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person's ability to function in daily life, causing distress and impacting relationships.

Anxiety disorders are more common than you might think. They can also be associated with a variety of medical conditions.

During an evaluation, a specialist may ask about your family history and other psychological conditions that might be related to anxiety disorders. He or she also asks about your symptoms, when they began and how severe they are.

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment will depend on the type of anxiety disorder you have. Some treatments focus on self-care, such as relaxation techniques or a healthy diet. Others focus on changing your behaviours and patterns of thinking. Other treatments include medication.

Treatment

Medications, psychological therapy, and lifestyle changes can be used to treat anxiety. Treatment is often recommended for people with severe anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks or phobias, who aren't able to manage their symptoms on their own.

Psychotherapy or "talk therapy" can help patients understand and change their anxiety-provoking thought patterns. It also helps them learn new ways to handle anxious situations.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of therapy for anxiety disorders. It involves teaching patients to identify their negative, panic-inducing thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more realistic, calming statements.

Medications can also be prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms, especially if the patient is experiencing physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling. They may include tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and benzodiazepines. These medications are only available on prescription and can have serious side effects, so it's important to speak with a doctor about the best course of treatment for you.