Modern life brings significant pressures: work, family, the future… Many people consider anxiety a normal mental response, but when worry becomes pervasive, constant, and interferes with daily activities, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. In this article, we provide detailed guidance on the symptoms, main causes, and proper ways to recognize the condition.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a psychological condition in which fear and worry appear excessively, are disproportionate to actual circumstances, persist over time, and are difficult to control. The mind remains in a constant state of alert, even when there is no clear risk. This negatively affects work, social relationships, and overall quality of life. According to experts, anxiety disorder is not just ordinary worry — it is a chronic and underlying mental health condition.

Common types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Specific Phobias (related to particular objects or situations)

Anxiety disorders can develop gradually, beginning with prolonged worry that slowly starts to dominate daily life. Early signs are often overlooked or mistaken for normal anxiety, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Each individual may exhibit different symptoms, but in general, anxiety disorders typically affect the body, emotions, and behavior simultaneously. Understanding each symptom group can help with earlier detection and intervention.

Physical Symptoms

 The body is often the first to “send signals” when anxiety exceeds normal levels. Most individuals experience signs such as:

• Rapid heartbeat, palpitations
• Shortness of breath, gasping, or a feeling of throat tightness
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision
• Persistent fatigue, sluggishness, and low energy
• Muscle tension, trembling hands or feet, mild spasms
• Excessive sweating, chills, or cold extremities
• Headaches, muscle aches, and sometimes digestive disturbances
• Difficulty sleeping or waking up during the night

Mental Symptoms

Anxiety disorders also cause profound internal disturbances in the mind. This group of symptoms reflects one’s thoughts and emotions:

• Persistent worry, a racing mind
• Feelings of unease or fear of something bad happening, even without a clear reason
• Difficulty concentrating, scattered thoughts
• Feelings of emptiness, helplessness, and self-doubt
• Mood instability: irritability, sadness, or mild depression
• Tendency to focus on negative or worst-case scenarios

Behavioral Symptoms

   These behaviors, if repeated, reinforce the state of anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break and gradually distances the individual from normal life.

• Avoiding stressful situations (meetings, exams, etc.)
• Canceling plans or delaying tasks due to fear of negative outcomes
• Reduced social interaction, self-isolation, avoiding contact with others
• Using stimulants (coffee, alcohol, tobacco) to relieve stress
• In severe cases: negative thoughts or self-harming behaviors

Distinguishing Anxiety Disorders from Normal Worry

Worry is a natural response when facing challenges, but an anxiety disorder is a pathological condition. Before fearing that you may have a disorder, it is important to determine whether your worry is normal or has progressed into an anxiety disorder. The main differences are as follows:

• Frequency and Duration: Normal worry occurs before important events and then fades. Anxiety disorders persist for weeks or months.
• Level of Control: Normal worry can be alleviated through rest or self-reassurance. In anxiety disorders, individuals cannot easily bring themselves out of the anxious state.
• Impact on Daily Life: Anxiety disorders reduce work efficiency, sleep quality, concentration, and social relationships. In contrast, normal worry rarely has severe effects.
• Accompanied by Noticeable Physical Symptoms: Normal worry may cause a racing heart or fatigue but does not typically lead to persistent hand tremors, headaches, or difficulty breathing.
• Time of Resolution: Normal worry usually subsides on its own; anxiety disorders persist if not treated.

If worry occupies most of your day, disrupts sleep, or affects work, these are signs that you should consult a specialist for evaluation and early intervention to prevent the disorder from quietly worsening over time.

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are not simply a sign of “weak psychology” but result from the complex influence of multiple factors: biological, personal-psychological, and social-environmental. Understanding the causes provides a scientific basis for effective treatment.

 

Biological Factors

 Biological Factors

Biological factors act as an underlying “starting point” that makes individuals more sensitive to stress and external stimuli. They do not directly cause anxiety disorders but create a vulnerable foundation, allowing anxiety to develop or worsen when faced with environmental pressures.

• Genetics: Studies show that having a family member with anxiety or depression increases the risk.
• Neurotransmitters: Imbalances in serotonin, GABA, and norepinephrine are commonly observed in people with anxiety.
• Brain Structure & Stress Response: A more sensitive amygdala (emotion-related) and HPA axis (stress-related) can make individuals prone to anxiety.
• Hormones & Endocrine System: Changes in thyroid hormones, sex hormones, cortisol, etc., can trigger heightened anxiety.

Psychological and Personal Factors

In addition to genetics and biology, psychological and personal factors play a key role in the development and progression of anxiety disorders. They make a person more reactive to stress and slower to recover from emotional shocks:

• Personality: Perfectionism, self-criticism, and high sensitivity increase susceptibility to anxiety.
• Psychological Trauma and Painful Experiences: Abuse, loss, and childhood stress leave “scars” that are easily triggered by new stress.
• Thought Patterns and Perceptions: Anxious individuals often overestimate risks, have low self-confidence, and fall into “everything is bad” thinking.
• Emotional Regulation Skills: Without proper training in managing emotions, anxiety can spread more easily into daily life.

Environmental and Social Factors

    Living environment and social relationships also have a strong impact. Pressures, life events, or unhealthy lifestyles can act as catalysts, triggering or prolonging anxiety:

• Work and study pressures: High performance demands, deadlines, and intense competition can fuel chronic anxiety.
• Family and social relationships: Conflicts, overly high expectations from loved ones, and lack of emotional support increase psychological stress.
• Major stressful events: Loss of a loved one, unemployment, financial crises, illness… can strongly trigger anxiety outbreaks.
• Unhealthy lifestyle: Lack of exercise, poor sleep, and consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco can negatively affect the brain and mental health.

When these three groups of factors combine, anxiety disorders are more likely to develop and worsen if not addressed early.

Hoang Yen Psychiatric Clinic – A Trusted Destination for Treating Anxiety Disorders

Hoang Yen Specialized Psychiatric Clinic is directly managed by Specialist Level II Dr. Nguyen Hoang Yen. With over 20 years of experience in psychiatry, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Yen and her team of highly skilled and dedicated medical professionals provide comprehensive, high-quality mental health assessment and care.

At the clinic, individuals showing signs of anxiety disorders receive thorough examinations, including screening steps, clinical interviews, and in-depth evaluations according to scientific standards. The goal is to accurately identify anxiety symptoms and their impact on daily life, offering appropriate guidance and treatment support.

With a friendly environment, up-to-date examination procedures, and attentive care, Hoang Yen Specialized Psychiatric Clinic is a trusted destination for those seeking assessment and diagnosis of anxiety disorders.

If you or your loved ones experience signs of anxiety, such as prolonged stress, excessive worry, or sleep disturbances, do not hesitate to visit Hoang Yen Specialized Psychiatric Clinic for professional evaluation, in-depth consultation, and support throughout the recovery process.

Contact Information:

• Address: No. 12, Alley 44, Do Quang Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi
• Hotline: 0974 509 322
• Website: https://phongkhamtamthanhoangyen.com/