Stress and anxiety

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Generalized anxiety disorder

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Call your health care provider if:

• You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or a racing heartbeat for the first time, or if it is worse than usual.
• You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety or other symptoms.
• You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.
• You have a sudden feeling of panic.
• You have an uncontrollable fear -- for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.
• Your anxiety is triggered by the memory of a traumatic event.
• You have tried self care for several weeks without success, or you feel that your anxiety will not go away without professional help.

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Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking can cause anxiety as a side effect. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicines without your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, paying close attention to your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate.

To help better understand your anxiety or stress, your doctor may ask the following questions:

• When did your feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety begin? Do you attribute the feelings to anything in particular, like an event in your life or a circumstance that scares you?
• Do you have physical symptoms along with your feelings of anxiety? What are they?
• Does anything make your anxiety better?
• Does anything make your anxiety worse?
• What medications are you taking?
• Do you use alcohol or drugs?

Diagnostic tests may include blood tests and possibly an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If the anxiety is not accompanied by any worrisome physical signs and symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a mental health care professional.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy), such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy has been shown to significantly decrease anxiety. In some cases, medications such as antidepressants may be appropriate.

See: Generalized anxiety disorders for more information.

Review Date: 02/22/2010
Reviewed By: David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).