Anxiety Disorder – Symptoms, Causes and Modern Treatment
Anxiety Disorder – Symptoms, Causes and Modern Treatment
Medically reviewed byGiorgi (Guga) Sikharulidze · MD, PhD — Psychiatrist · Professor · Clinical ResearcherUpdated:
Anxiety is a natural emotional response to danger or uncertainty. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, long-lasting, and significantly interferes with everyday life, it is considered an anxiety disorder—one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide.
The World Health Organization’s 2026 fact sheet reports that, based on the 2023 global estimate, approximately 470 million people — 5.8% of the world’s population — had an anxiety disorder. This is a global estimate, not a prevalence estimate for Georgia. [4]
What is an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorder is a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent, intense worry that is disproportionate to the actual level of threat. It is not just ordinary nervousness — anxiety disorder is a clinical condition that requires professional treatment.
Types of anxiety disorders
There are several main types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about a range of different issues. The person is unable to control the worry, and it lasts for at least 6 months. [2]
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by an intense fear of social situations in which a person may become the object of evaluation by others.
Panic disorder — sudden, intense panic attacks accompanied by physical symptoms.
Specific phobias — an excessive fear of a particular object or situation (such as heights, enclosed spaces, animals, etc.).
Symptoms of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders manifest through both psychological and physical symptoms.
Psychological symptoms
Persistent, uncontrollable worry
Catastrophic expectations about the future
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability and restlessness
Constantly thinking about the worst-case scenario
Sleep disturbance — difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Physical symptoms
Rapid heartbeat
Sweating, tremor
Muscle tension, especially in the neck and back area
Headache
Digestive system problems (nausea, diarrhea)
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Causes and risk factors of anxiety
Anxiety disorder is a multifactorial condition. Several factors contribute to its development:
Biological factors: imbalance of neurotransmitters (serotonin, GABA, norepinephrine) and genetic predisposition. If there is a family history of anxiety disorders, the risk increases.
Psychological factors: traumatic experiences in childhood, stressful life events, and a tendency toward perfectionism or catastrophizing in one’s thinking.
Environmental factors: chronic work-related stress, financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, social isolation.
Treatment of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable conditions. At GSMRC, we use evidence-based approaches:
Psychotherapy
Exposure therapy is particularly effective for phobias and social anxiety. The patient is gradually, in a safe environment, exposed to situations that trigger anxiety.
Mindfulness-based therapy helps a person stay in the present moment and manage the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Medication treatment
If needed, the psychiatrist will prescribe medication therapy:
SSRI/SNRI antidepressants — for long-term management of anxiety (sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine)
Buspirone — a specific anxiolytic that does not cause dependence
Benzodiazepines — only for short-term use in cases of acute anxiety, under strict medical supervision
Important: Medications should be taken only as prescribed by a psychiatrist. Self-medication is dangerous.
Combined approach
Psychotherapy and medication may be used separately or together. The choice depends on the anxiety disorder, its severity, previous treatment response and the person’s preferences. [5]
When should you seek help from a specialist?
A consultation with a specialist is necessary if:
Anxiety persists, causes significant distress or interferes with everyday life — you do not need to wait two weeks before seeking help
You are unable to carry out your daily activities
Your sleep, appetite, or concentration is significantly disturbed
You use alcohol or other substances to “manage” your anxiety
Do you experience panic attacks
Are you experiencing depressive symptoms as well?
Self-help strategies
Alongside professional treatment, these strategies can help you manage anxiety:
Regular physical activity — 30 minutes, 3–5 times per week. Walking, swimming, or yoga helps lower cortisol levels.
Slow, gentle breathing: breathe in and out at a comfortable rhythm without forcing your breath. This is a self-help method and does not replace professional care when it is needed. [6]
Reducing caffeine and alcohol — both can intensify anxiety symptoms
Sleep hygiene — keeping a regular sleep schedule and turning off screens 1 hour before bedtime
Maintaining social connections — isolation intensifies anxiety
Book a consultation
For the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders:
Address: Togo Gudava 4, 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
Center: GSMRC — Guga Sikharulidze Mental Health Research Center
Related topics: Generalized Anxiety Disorder · Panic Disorder · Psychiatrist consultation
Source: NIMH — Anxiety Disorders.
Sources
1. World Health Organization. Anxiety disorders. Geneva: WHO; 2023 (~4% / 301 million). Peer-reviewed basis: GBD 2019 Mental Disorders Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9(2):137–150. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00395-3
2. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: APA; 2022.
3. Carpenter JK, Andrews LA, Witcraft SM, Powers MB, Smits JAJ, Hofmann SG. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Depress Anxiety. 2018;35(6):502–514. doi:10.1002/da.22728
4. World Health Organization. Anxiety disorders. Fact sheet, 15 September 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders
5. NICE. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113). Recommendations. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113/chapter/Recommendations
6. NHS. Breathing exercises for stress. Page reviewed 12 June 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
Frequently asked questions
Anxiety is a natural response, but when it becomes excessive, persistent, and disproportionate to real threat — interfering with daily life — it is an anxiety disorder, a clinical condition needing treatment.
The main types include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with persistent, excessive worry; social anxiety disorder, with fear of social situations; panic disorder, with unexpected panic attacks; and specific phobias, with fear of a particular object or situation.
Anxiety can involve psychological symptoms (uncontrollable worry, difficulty concentrating and sleep disturbance) and physical symptoms — a racing heart, sweating, tremor, muscle tension in the neck and back, headache, digestive problems and difficulty breathing.
Treatment for anxiety disorders is individualized. GSMRC uses psychotherapy, including CBT and exposure-based approaches, and medication when appropriate. These may be used separately or together; mindfulness and relaxation skills may offer additional support. [4, 5]
Related
Conditions
- Generalized anxiety disorderGeneralized anxiety disorder treatment in Tbilisi: diagnosis, medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy at GSMRC mental health center.
- Panic disorderPanic attack and panic disorder treatment in Tbilisi: diagnosis, CBT psychotherapy and medication support at GSMRC mental health center.
- Social Anxiety DisorderSocial anxiety disorder treatment in Tbilisi: cognitive-behavioral therapy, gradual exposure and medication support at GSMRC.
- Stress: Causes, Symptoms, and Management MethodsCauses and symptoms of stress, and effective stress management methods. Psychotherapy and counseling at GSMRC in Tbilisi.