Am I Experiencing Anxiety or Something Else?

Feeling worried? Having panic attacks or feeling constantly on edge? You may think you’re experiencing anxiety, but your symptoms could actually be caused by a different issue altogether.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. They affect over 40 million American adults each year, and women are twice as likely to develop a mental health disorder. But anxiety can easily be confused with other medical and mental health problems.

How do you know if your symptoms are truly anxiety, or signs of a different underlying problem? Here are some tips for figuring out what might really going on. To find out for sure, see a doctor. If your fear or worry is interrupting your daily routine, please reach out to a healthcare professional for help.

Consider Physical Symptoms

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain, headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension, sweating, tremors, and fatigue. But many medical conditions can also cause these symptoms, including thyroid disorders, heart disease, and chronic illnesses.

If you experience physical symptoms along with anxiety, get checked by a doctor to rule out a medical cause. A physical exam and tests like bloodwork can check for any underlying health issues.

Evaluate Your Thought Patterns

The excessive worry and rumination of anxiety disorders often centers around everyday issues or events without cause. But some other conditions are characterized by distorted or irrational thoughts.

The hallucinations of schizophrenia, the paranoia of bipolar disorder during manic episodes, or the obsessions of obsessive compulsive disorder, including Relationship OCD, can mimic anxiety. In these instances, intrusive thoughts are actually symptoms of a different mental illness than anxiety.

Consider the Timing

Generalized anxiety disorder usually causes persistent, excessive worry that lasts for months. Panic attacks in panic disorder can strike suddenly with intense physical symptoms.

If your anxiety comes and goes or feels linked to specific environmental triggers, it may be a phobia, PTSD, or situational anxiety instead of an anxiety disorder. The timing and duration of symptoms provides clues about them.

Look for Avoidance Patterns

Those with anxiety disorders often avoid feared situations, places, objects, or activities. But taken to the extreme, avoidance can signify other conditions like agoraphobia or obsessive compulsive personality disorder. If your avoidance behaviors are severely restricting your daily activities and life, it may be time to explore other possibilities.

Examine Substance Use

Using stimulant drugs like cocaine or amphetamines often brings on anxious feelings as a side effect. Heavy caffeine use can increase anxiety too. The withdrawal process from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can also induce anxiety-like symptoms.

Anxiety caused by substance use or withdrawal often resolves after safely weaning off the substance under a professional’s guidance. Ongoing symptoms likely point to an anxiety disorder instead.

Consider Co-Existing Conditions

For many people, anxiety doesn’t occur in isolation. Over half of those with depression also experience anxiety. I am one of those people.

Furthermore, chronic health problems often have anxiety as a side effect. And those with autism, ADHD, PTSD, and sleep disorders have higher rates of anxiety. If you’re managing another mental or physical condition, related anxiety may be part of the package rather than a standalone diagnosis.

How to Find the Right Anxiety Therapist

Finding the right anxiety therapist involves several steps. First, identify the type of therapy that may work best for you, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or exposure therapy.

Next, consider factors like the therapist’s credentials, experience treating anxiety disorders, and compatibility with your personality and communication style. You can search for therapists through online directories, psychology associations, or recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare providers.

When contacting a potential therapist, ask about their approach to treating anxiety, their availability, and any fees or insurance coverage. Consider scheduling initial consultations with multiple therapists to assess rapport and comfort level.

During these consultations, discuss your concerns, treatment goals, and any questions you have about the therapy process. Trust your instincts and choose a therapist who listens attentively, demonstrates empathy, and creates a safe, supportive environment for exploring your anxiety challenges.

Remember that finding the right therapist may take time and patience, but investing in the search can lead to significant improvements in managing anxiety and overall well-being.

Get an Evaluation from a Health Professional

Self-evaluating anxiety symptoms can only take you so far. To truly determine whether your symptoms are anxiety or signs of another issue altogether, consult a physician or mental health professional.

This medical expert can provide an evaluation after taking your full history, evaluating symptoms, ruling out medical causes, and using specific diagnostic criteria. That’s what my doctor did. Getting the most accurate diagnosis is key to finding the right treatment plan, which may include a combination of therapy and doctor-prescribed medication.

Wrestling with anxiety on your own can leave you endlessly Googling symptoms trying to solve the puzzle. But an experienced mental health expert can put all the pieces together and provide clarity. Getting to the root cause of your symptoms is the first step to improving your quality of life.

This article is for information purposes only and does not take the place of medical advice. Please see your doctor if your worries and other thoughts are interrupting your life or if you have questions and concerns about your physical or mental health.

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