Condition

What is it?

Most people faced with extreme stress or difficult circumstances will experience temporary episodes of anxiety.  Symptoms may include inner turmoil, racing thoughts, worry, sleeplessness, panic attacks, or physical discomfort like IBS, headaches, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, fatigue, sweats, and pain.

Episodes of anxiety that pass quickly are normal, but anxiety that lasts weeks, months or years can benefit from medical intervention.

What Causes It?

Anxiety disorders have as many causes as symptoms. Conditions such as hypo- or hyperthyroid, diabetes, menopause and other hormonal problems, adrenal disorders, nutrient deficiencies, anemia, celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity and neurological disorders (to name a few) can all contribute to feelings of worry, dread and panic.

Several drugs and intoxicants can also worsen anxiety and, of course, psychological troubles caused by challenging life events often make patients more susceptible to anxious states of mind.