The Anxiety and Depression Association of America lists symptoms, provides tips on anxiety management.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that “anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions – just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.”

And, anxiety is on the rise. “There is no question that all of the national surveys we have at our fingertips show a distinct rise in the number of mental health problems,” Dr. Jerald Kay, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Wright State University School of Medicine, reported on the JED Foundation website.

The term “anxiety disorder” refers to specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry, and includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder and panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias and more.

ADAA national statistics indicate that “anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.”

ADAA provides a list of signs and symptoms of anxiety:
• Feeling nervous, irritable or on edge
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation) • Sweating, and/or trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Difficulty concentrating
• Having trouble sleeping
• A sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
The JED Foundation suggests students seek professional treatment first, and then gives some helpful websites:
• Healthy Minds, (prevention, symptoms, treatment tips)
• ULifeline (screening tool, contact information for counseling centers)
• Half of Us (inspirational interviews with artists and athletes, a screening tool)
• The Jed Foundation (resources on mental health and suicide prevention)
• Campus Calm (tools to combat stress).