Is Anxiety Curable?

Updated January 20, 2021

Medically Reviewed By: Nicole Gaines, LPC

Many types of anxiety can be challenging to differentiate a slight panic attack from a specific anxiety disorder. And make no mistake: there are many types of anxiety disorders out there.

With all the different types of anxiety disorders, treating anxiety leaves the question: is anxiety curable? Those experiencing anxiety want to know if they can not only find treatment for anxiety but a cure that will allow people with anxiety disorders to live their lives stress-free.

The answer is that, no, there is not an official cure for symptoms of anxiety or those experiencing anxiety disorders. But there are plenty of treatment options for anxiety and managing anxiety disorders that can effectively reduce or even vanquish specific symptoms.

It may not be ideal for anxiety and stress, but most types of anxiety disorders can be treated so that, even if you feel anxious regularly, you can at least live your life in a somewhat normal way. Chronic anxiety is nothing to scoff at.

Before we can worry about treating anxiety disorders with things like anti-anxiety medication, we must first understand how depression and anxiety are related and learn about anxiety, including anxiety stress. Why those extravagant claims instant cures aren’t all that they seem to be.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

There are many types of anxiety out there. Generalized anxiety disorder GAD, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and even physical symptoms of anxiety can manifest. Anxiety is normal to feel as it is the body’s automatic response to feeling pressure, threats, or staring down a challenging situation.

Simply put, we all feel anxious from time to time, even if we don’t experience something like a social anxiety disorder or separation anxiety disorder. It can start simply enough, but it can sign something more profound when situations worsen anxiety.

Thankfully, there is plenty of information about anxiety out there. It is important to note that if you feel anxious every once in a while, you likely are not experiencing chronic anxiety or any other anxiety-related disorders.

Separation anxiety disorder, for instance, is when there is intense anxiety whenever that person is not around a family member or significant other. That separation anxiety can be related to anxiety depression, where feelings of strong sadness become common.

Social anxiety disorder makes it difficult to function in social settings. Often the best way to reduce anxiety and prevent anxiety depression is to get into an isolated environment where there is no contact with other people. It may seem strange, but it can be an effective way to manage this type's anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder GAD is just as it sounds: The fears for this type of anxiety disorder include very generalized things and a constant fear or dread. Generalized anxiety disorder GAD can be a common link between anxiety and depression and anxiety and phobias.

Generalized anxiety disorder GAD is one of the most common forms of anxiety and often encompasses anxiety and depression in multiple settings or situations. The thing to keep in mind is that GAD's generalized anxiety disorder can be quite extreme and lead to serious isolation and potentially harmful thoughts or actions.

Depression is often related to anxiety in that they share many of the same symptoms. Anxiety and depression association can be difficult to differentiate, and anxiety disorders include depression at times. Speaking to a professional is often the only way to truly diagnose these potential issues, differentiating anxiety, depression, anxiety, and depression.

The link is because both depression and anxiety stem from the same kind of biological vulnerabilities. Anxiety can make depression worse and the other way around, so it is crucial that you seek treatment for both if you believe that you are affected.

How Do I Know If I Have An Anxiety Disorder?

There are plenty of people that feel anxiety once in a blue moon that claims to have anxiety. Knowing the difference between occasional anxiety and an anxiety disorder is an important distinction to make. Clinical anxiety can be incredibly challenging to manage and can have a huge impact on day-to-day life.

There are signs that you may be experiencing a social anxiety disorder, and it is important to see a professional if you seriously think that you may have one. Ignoring the signs will make the situation worse and make it more difficult to dig out from underneath that disorder.

There are seven general symptoms and signs of an anxiety disorder to be aware of:

• Constantly being worried, tense, or on edge.
• Anxiety interfering with school, work, or other responsibilities.
• Constant fears that you know are irrational but will not go away.
• A fear that something bad will happen to you, a sense of constant dread.
• Avoiding everyday situations because they make you feel anxious.
• Sudden attacks where it feels like your heart is thudding against your chest.
• Feeling like danger is around the corner.

Perhaps the symptoms you are experiencing are not quite as serious, but they are signs no less. Things like that sense of dread, an anticipation of the worst, feeling jumpy or tense, feeling irritable, and your mind going blank.

If that weren’t bad enough, there could be physical signs that you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. These will often come in tandem with the symptoms mentioned above. Things like sweating, upset stomach, headaches, dizziness, the feeling that your heart is pounding, shortness of breath, shaking, or insomnia.

With the physical symptoms, they can be easily confused with other medical illnesses, so it can be difficult to attribute them to anxiety specifically. Seeing a professional is a good idea in any event because even if it is not related to anxiety, it could be a symptom of another illness or disorder.

There are also attacks of anxiety, which are also known as panic attacks. These are situations where an intense fear or panic overtakes you and comes on with seemingly no warning. There can be obvious triggers for those with phobias, but if you experience an anxiety disorder, it can be brought on by several issues.

Though they do not last for long periods, anxiety attacks can be very frightening to deal with. It can feel as though you have lost complete control and that a heart attack may be happening. Shortness of breath, sweating, and shaking are all common with these types of attacks as well.

Experiencing anxiety attacks is a serious issue, and it is important to avoid known triggers or situations until you have sought professional help. Panic attacks are very treatable, and there are plenty of people that have become panic free with only a few treatment sessions. Treating panic attacks is important because if they come at an inopportune time (like driving), it can be very dangerous for your health and others' health.

If you feel like several of these symptoms apply to you, see a professional as soon as you can. They will be able to take the necessary steps towards providing adequate treatment so that you can live your life without your anxiety holding you hostage.

What Are The Treatment Options?

We all wish that those “claims instant cures guaranteed results” were dependable, but there is no miracle cure for anxiety. When it comes to anxiety symptoms, revolutionary formulas tend to be little more than a cash grab. There are techniques to treat anxiety disorders, including the use of anti-anxiety medication. The options for anxiety treatment can come down to anti-anxiety medication and professional therapy.

Medication for anxiety is considered one of the most effective ways of managing anxiety and depression since the two can become connected. Anti-anxiety medication is used for anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder GAD, and anxiety-related disorders.

Some wish to abstain from using medication because of the side effects. Like any medication, anti-anxiety medication can come with side effects that range from very mild to serious issues or ailments.

For those experiencing anxiety that does not wish to incorporate medication, there are other options. Seeking professional treatment for anxiety, including a therapist or psychologist, is another reliable and common option that does not come with the nasty side effects that medications can have.

Finding a professional that you trust is the most important thing. There are services like ReGain that can pair you with a professional therapist or psychologist. Talking about your feelings can do wonders for understanding these social settings and how to deal with anxiety and depression when they begin to take hold.

It cannot be recommended enough that anxiety should be treated in some ways. Mild anxiety is something that most of us deal with, but true clinical anxiety can be debilitating. If you feel like an anxiety disorder completely entraps you, contact a professional is something that you should do sooner rather than later.