Anxiety can be a normal reaction or it can be a debilitating reaction to a stressful situation. It can manifest with physiological symptoms such as racing heart beat, body perspiration, or labored breathing. However, it can also appear to be non-exist which often happens with adults who have mastered the art of concealing their distress. As a result, your symptoms may seem almost non-existent especially in communities of color. However symptoms can start to impact your physical health in ways such as aches and pains, digestive issues, and fatigue. Risk factors include environmental and genetic factors. Approximately, 1 in 3 adults in the U.S experience anxiety. However, almost half do not receive any form of treatment or support to address these concerns. Treatment for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy, psychotropic medication, and combination of the two. However, psychotherapy is the first line of defense assuming no immediate risks or dangers are at play. The prognosis for anxiety disorder treatment is favorable. It is likely that you will experience improvement after a few sessions but progress has been shown to improve more after several months of treatment. Anxiety has not shown to be curable, but individuals are typically able to learn skills and develop resources to manage their concerns.
