Understanding Anxiety
What Is Anxiety?
Your body’s natural response to stress is called anxiety.
Anxiety is a feeling of fear or extreme worry about what’s to come. Often, this feeling is intense and can interfere with your daily activities, even stopping you from enjoying things you like.
Is Anxiety Genetic?
Yes, anxiety can be genetic.
Research has shown that if you have a family history of anxiety, you may have an increased chance of developing the symptoms of anxiety. For example, researchers at Yale’s Department of Psychiatry reviewed over 1 million profiles of people participating in studies globally and discovered there are more than 100 genes associated with anxiety.
Researchers at Yale also believe that by combining genetic information with other features in your genes, they can figure out how genes affect various brain structures that can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Furthermore, the study indicated that some of the genes linked to anxiety can heighten the risk of other mental health disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
However, it is essential to remember that while anxiety does have a genetic component, it doesn’t mean that you will develop the signs and symptoms of anxiety.
What Triggers Anxiety?
Anxiety can be worsened or triggered by specific events in your daily life, emotions, or experiences.
A few of the more common triggers of anxiety include:
- Stress
- Financial or work concerns
- Medications
- Health Issues
- Caffeine
- Not eating meals
- Drinking alcohol
- Negative thoughts
- Social events
- Conflict
- Public speaking or performances
- Personal triggers (people with post-traumatic stress disorder often encounter triggers in their environment)
The medical and mental health professionals at Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility are trained to guide you to recognize your triggers so you can manage your anxiety symptoms. We provide comprehensive care that addresses your acute psychiatric symptoms while helping you learn how to transition back into the world.
How Does the SSA Define Anxiety?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes anxiety as a disorder if it “significantly restricts your ability to participate in substantial gainful activity and engage in daily life for a year or more.”
Signs of Anxiety
What Are 5 Signs You Have Anxiety?
Excessive worrying or fear, trouble focusing, physical manifestations such as shaking or a rapid heartbeat, muscle tightness, and issues with sleep are five typical indicators of anxiety.
Experiencing anxiety is a regular part of life. Take, for instance, if someone veers into your lane when you’re driving. Your heart rate will increase, and you may experience muscle tension, but it typically subsides. However, for some, the symptoms of anxiety can cause severe physical and mental impairment.
You may show anxiety in a different way than another individual, so it’s essential to recognize the most common signs of anxiety.
What Are Physical Signs of Anxiety?
If you experience any of the following physical symptoms, you may have an anxiety disorder:
- Shaking
- Heavy sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Muscle tension
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Anxiety can take a toll on your physical health. Have you noticed how your body responds to stress or specific events? Some of those reactions can be symptoms of anxiety.
What Are Emotional Signs of Anxiety?
Emotional anxiety involves a continuous fear or dread that something negative might occur.
You may feel:
- Panic
- Uneasiness
- Obsessive thoughts
What Are Behavioral Signs of Anxiety?
Common behavioral signs of anxiety can include:
- Feeling restless and on edge
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Compulsive behaviors like checking on something repeatedly
Anxiety disorders, like social anxiety disorder, can also have symptoms that specific events can trigger.
For example, you may change your behavior or avoid certain situations so you don’t feel:
- Judged
- Embarassed
- Rejected
Common Types of Anxiety
What Is the Most Common Type of Anxiety?
The most common type of anxiety disorder is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
People diagnosed with GAD have excessive anxiety, fear, or worry for months or years.
Symptoms of GAD include:
- Restlessness
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep issues
And other emotional and physical symptoms.
What Are Other Common Types of Anxiety?
The five most common types of anxiety include:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias (ie, agoraphobia)
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
The most common types of anxiety disorders have distinct triggers and symptoms, but all include extreme fear that often includes extreme limitations in your daily life.
The symptoms of anxiety can place extreme limitations on your mental functioning, which can require acute psychiatric care. At Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility, we work as a team with your medical and mental health providers to ensure you receive the medical treatment you require for your mental illness.
Are Panic Attacks the Same as Anxiety Attacks?
No, panic attacks are not the same as anxiety attacks.
Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear that occur for a few minutes. These attacks often occur without warning. Panic attacks can involve severe physical symptoms.
On the other hand, anxiety attacks are gradual responses that build because of specific stressors and will often last longer than a panic attack. Anxiety attacks are also usually linked with persistent worry and less intense physical symptoms than panic attacks.
Anxiety and the Workplace
Can Anxiety Impact Concentration and Productivity?
Yes, anxiety can have a negative impact on your concentration and productivity.
Constant anxiety can have an adverse effect on your ability to work, socialize, and be productive in the workplace.
Does Anxiety Lead to Absenteeism and Job Performance Issues?
Yes, anxiety can be a reason why job performance issues and absenteeism occur in your career.
Anxiety can make you feel fear or distressed in specific work or social situations. You may decide to skip work or avoid specific job requirements because your symptoms impose an extreme limitation on your ability to perform your job duties.
Can Anxiety Create Challenges in Social Interactions With Other Employees?
Yes, anxiety often creates challenges in social interactions with your work colleagues.
The symptoms of anxiety may lead you to avoid social environments or work meetings, conferences, or large gatherings. When you avoid these situations, it becomes challenging to interact with your peers, learn and share knowledge, and make vital connections.
Common causes of workplace anxiety are:
- Stress about deadlines
- Missing details in a project
- Interactions with co-workers
The symptoms of anxiety can harm your ability to concentrate on a task, complete it, and meet deadlines. You may also become short-tempered and irritable when asked about work-related projects. Sometimes, the thought of presenting your work can create anxiety.
When these symptoms become severe, you may see a decrease in the quality of your work, an increase in missing deadlines, meetings, or events, and be overlooked for advancements. If you notice your symptoms are becoming unmanageable and may harm you or others, you should seek help.
Seeking help at Ocean View can help you manage your anxiety symptoms in a safe, empathetic environment.
Anxiety & Disabilities
Is Anxiety Considered a Disability Under the ADA?
Symptoms of anxiety that last for over a year are considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It is essential to note that medical documentation must be provided to demonstrate the SSA’s criteria. For example, for social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to qualify as a disability, you will need evidence of medical records that show medical evidence of the disorder for at least two years, as outlined in the Blue Book.
What Disabilities Are Protected by the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with mental or physical impairments that have a marked limitation on one or more major life activities.
Some examples of disabilities covered under the ADA are:
- Cancer
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
What Types of Anxiety Qualify for Disability?
To qualify for disability, an individual’s anxiety must have a significant adverse effect on daily functioning and be documented by a medical professional.
The types of anxiety that generally qualify for social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits are:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Can You Get 100% Disability for Anxiety?
It depends; while anxiety can be a disabling condition, the supplemental security income you receive is not a fixed amount.
Your monthly SSDI payment can depend on which of the federal disability programs you meet the eligibility requirements for.
However, veterans can qualify for a 100% disability rating for anxiety if their symptoms severely impact their daily functioning and are connected to their service. Once they undergo a thorough exam and their medical documentation shows a lengthy history of severe impairment, they can receive up to 100% of the allowable Social Security disability benefits.
Can You Get Disability for Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
Yes, you can get social security disability benefits for panic and anxiety attacks if your attacks are severe enough to disrupt your ability to work and perform daily activities significantly.
The SSA requires medical documentation and evidence of their impact on your daily functioning when you file a Social Security Insurance (SSI) disability claim.
Diagnosing Anxiety as a Disability
How Do I Diagnose Anxiety as a Disability?
To diagnose anxiety as a disability, you must have extensive medical documentation of an anxiety disorder, like social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, or GAD, for at least two years.
You must also have:
- The ability to show you experience “extreme limitation” of one or “marked limitation” of two areas of mental function, which includes social interactions, concentration, memory, and adaptation
- Your anxiety disorder symptoms are “serious and persistent,” which have been documented for at least two years and include proof of medical treatment and little to no improvement with medical treatment
Will They Consider Other Mental Health Conditions?
Yes, other mental health disorders can qualify for SSA benefits.
Some examples of these disorders include:
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
To qualify, individuals must provide extensive medical documentation and be able to demonstrate that their mental health condition severely limits their ability to work for at least one year.
Can Self-Reported Symptoms Act as a Diagnosis?
No, you can’t self-report anxiety symptoms to qualify for SSA benefits.
You must provide extensive medical documentation from a trained and qualified professional that includes:
- Your diagnosis
- Treatment history (including treatment plans and medications)
- The impact on your ability to work
Next Steps Following Diagnosis
What Steps Do I Take Once My Anxiety Is Diagnosed as a Disability?
Once your anxiety diagnosis is qualified as a disability, you should put together your medical and mental health treatment history for anxiety.
After you have gathered this information, you can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Some find it helpful to use a disability lawyer to help guide them through the process.
What Should I Consider Following Diagnosis?
After receiving a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, you should consider a few things, such as:
- Eligibility for SSA benefits
- The criteria for SSA benefits
- Your place of employment’s regulations on disabilities
How Do I Provide Supportive Documentation of My Disability?
Since the requirements for filing a disability claim include supportive documentation, you should talk with a mental health professional and a medical doctor about providing access to your files to the SSA.
The SSA requires thorough documentation of your anxiety disorder symptoms, treatment, and how anxiety significantly impacts your ability to work or function in your day-to-day life.
Should I Consider Legal Assistance?
It depends – some people find having a disability attorney helpful when filing a disability claim.
Accommodations for Anxiety
What Accommodations Are Available for Employees With Anxiety?
Individuals with anxiety as a disability are allowed to ask for reasonable accommodations at work.
These accommodations can help them manage their anxiety symptoms and be more productive at work.
Can I Have More Flexibility In My Work Schedule?
Yes, you can have more flexibility at work once you qualify as having an anxiety disability.
Some of the other reasonable accommodations that are included in flexibility at work include:
- Flexible work schedules
- Private work spaces
- Telecommuting if possible
- Frequent breaks
Will I Have Support for Therapy and Treatment Options?
Yes, the SSA provides support for treatment and therapy options.
Treatment For Anxiety at Ocean View
At Ocean View, we provide individualized treatment for anxiety and symptoms. Our dedicated team of mental health and medical professionals works collaboratively with your doctor or mental health provider to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan may include evidence-based therapies, medication management, and coping strategies designed to help you address the root causes of your anxiety.
Throughout your treatment journey, we emphasize building resilience and confidence, ensuring that you not only learn to manage your anxiety effectively but also thrive after leaving our care. By focusing on a smooth transition, we help you integrate the skills and knowledge gained during your time at Ocean View into your everyday life, enhancing your overall well-being and quality of life.
FAQs
What if my anxiety doesn’t meet the criteria for disability benefits?
If you don’t qualify for SSA, you may be eligible for benefits through a Medical-Vocational Allowance.
To qualify for this, you must show that your anxiety symptoms have a significantly negative impact on your ability to work.
My anxiety meets the criteria for disability benefits. Now what?
Once your anxiety symptoms meet the criteria for disability benefits, you should
- Gather medical documentation of your anxiety treatment, which includes proof that you receive treatment with a professionally trained mental health therapist or medical doctor
- Have proof of treatment plans and medication(s) prescribed
- Show that treatment did little to improve your symptoms
- Demonstrate how anxiety has had a significant negative impact on your work
Is generalized anxiety disorder a disability?
Yes, generalized anxiety disorder can qualify as a disability as long as you meet the SSA’s eligibility requirements.
You can file a disability claim once you have at least two years of treatment from a qualified medical or mental health professional for your anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, the documentation must show how your symptoms were treated and whether there is little to no improvement despite treatment.
Is severe anxiety a disability?
Yes, severe anxiety can qualify as a disability if it significantly impairs your daily activities and meets the required criteria set by the SSA.
You can be eligible for SSDI benefits if you have medical documentation of severe anxiety and how it impacts your ability to work.
Is test anxiety a disability?
No, test anxiety is not a disability.
Test anxiety isn’t classified as a disability, but it can have a severe impact on an individual’s work or test performance. If you have test anxiety, you can ask for reasonable accommodations provided for individuals with disabilities. You may also get help from disability services to manage your symptoms during tests.
What helps severe anxiety?
Recognizing you need treatment for severe anxiety is the first step to helping manage the symptoms of severe anxiety.
Other ways to treat severe anxiety include:
- Talking with a therapist or mental health professional
- Medication in combination with therapy
The symptoms of severe anxiety can be managed with treatment from a mental health professional.