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Hanna Lesko

Professor Hellmers

English Composition

November 1 2021

What kind of impacts can untreated/undiagnosed anxiety have on an individual, and what

treatment can be provided?

Mental disorders are one of the biggest stigmatized health issues among many Americans

in the United States, one that is a topic no one likes to discuss. Many individuals suffer in

silence, and symptoms are gone unnoticed, simply due to the lack of education around it,

nonetheless the hushed tones to not speak of it. Anxiety disorders are one of many well-known

mental illnesses among our society and can become very difficult to deal with among daily life

and its tasks. However, many are unaware of the affects it can have, not only on a person

mentally, but even further damage in the future to their overall health. Without the added support

and education surrounding mental health, many individuals are left to suffer alone, and this is

never a good result. Untreated anxiety disorders can have long-term negative effects on an

individual's mental and physical state, as it affects every aspect of one's life.

You may be wondering, what exactly is generalized anxiety anyway? Isn’t there only one

form of anxiety? Unfortunately, no, mental disorders are a lot more complicated than that, and

there are many forms of anxiety, amidst their formations and focuses, depending on the

individual. “There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder,

panic disorder, and many phobia-related disorders” (NIMH). According to an article from the

National Institute of Mental Health, “People with panic disorder have recurrent unexpected panic
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attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their

peak within minutes. Attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a

feared object or situation” (NIMH, 2018). Common symptoms of this disorder include panic

attacks, which include a wide range of symptoms, such as: “heart palpitations, pounding

heartbeat, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath, feelings of being out

of control” (NIMH, 2018). Many individuals who suffer from this disorder are typically worried

about experiencing these panic attacks often, and try to prevent them by avoiding certain places,

situations, or behaviors that are associated with them. Consistently worrying about panic attacks,

as well as putting in the effort to avoid them can cause various other issues, such as the

development of other disorders. One of these could turn into the development of a phobia, which

is referred to as, “an intense fear of—or aversion to—specific objects or situations” (NIMH,

2018). Although it is understandable and realistic to be anxious in some circumstances, “the fear

people with phobias feel are out of proportion to the actual danger caused by the situation or

object” (NIMH, 2018). Individuals with a phobia typically display symptoms, such as the have

irrational fear about the possibility of running into the feared situation that they constantly keep

at hand. Another sign could include the individual taking many steps to avoid that consistently

feared object or situation, regardless with what it may be. Other examples could include

experiencing intense anxiety when encountering the feared object or situation, and endure

avoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety. There are several existing phobias,

including specific phobias, which are also known as simple phobias. As the name of the phobia

states, people who have a specific phobia have an intense fear of, or feel anxiety about, specific

types of objects or situations. Some examples of specific phobias include the fear of flying,

heights, specific animals, blood, etc. Despite specific phobias for certain objects or activities, the
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fear of social or performance situations also exist, which is known as social anxiety. Individuals

with this disorder worry that specific actions or behaviors associated with their anxiety will be

negatively evaluated by others, leading them to feel embarrassed. Furthermore, this feeling of

“worry often causes people with social anxiety to avoid specific social situations. Social anxiety

disorder can manifest in a range of situations, such as within the workplace or the school

environment” (NIMH, 2018).

Amidst the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), that many are more familiar with, people

with this disorder display excessive anxiety, typically most days for up to 6 months. Individuals

display a variety of symptoms, and the anxiety that is commonly associated with GAD include

but are not limited to things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday

routine life circumstances. With these persistent feelings of fear, it can cause many issues in their

daily life, such as among social interactions, school, and work. Symptoms of someone with GAD

can include feeling restless, being easily fatigued, having a hard time concentrating, muscle

tension, etc. Another factor can include the difficulty to sleeping, as this could mean either

struggling to stay asleep, falling asleep, etc. (GAD). However, to be diagnosed with GAD, a list

of certain factors and symptoms must be present in an individual. In the mental health field, a

book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), written by the

American Psychiatric Association, is used for clinicians to communicate about their patients, and

establishes a reliable diagnosis for the research of mental disorders. According to the DSM, the

listed criteria for generalized anxiety disorder must include the following:

- “Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than

not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or

school performance).
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- The person finds it difficult to control the worry.

- The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six

symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6

months).

 Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge

 Being easily fatigued

 Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

 Irritability

 Muscle tension

 Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying

sleep)

- The focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an Axis I disorder

(e.g., the anxiety or worry is not about having a panic attack [as in panic disorder],

being embarrassed in public [as in social phobia], being contaminated [as in

obsessive-compulsive disorder] being away from home or close relatives [as in

separation anxiety disorder], gaining weight [as in anorexia Nervosa], or having a

serious illness [as in hypochondriasis]), and the anxiety and worry do not occur

exclusively during posttraumatic stress disorder.

- The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or

impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

- The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a

drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism)

and does not occur exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder, or a
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pervasive developmental disorder” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration).

The causes of anxiety disorders may vary by individual, but many factors come in to play

to the development of GAD, in this case. Symptoms can vary from mental, to even physical ones

as well. According to an article written by the Cleveland Clinic, physical symptoms can include

“cold or sweaty hands, dry mouth, heart palpitations, nausea, numbness or tingling in hands or

feet, muscle tension, shortness of breath” (Cleveland Clinic). Mental symptoms of this disorder

also may include feeling panic, fear and uneasiness, nightmares, repeated thoughts or flashbacks

of traumatic experiences, and uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts. Along with this comes the

physical symptoms of GAD. When an individual has this mental disorder, they may show the

inability to be still and calm, due to the heightened anxiety they may be experiencing. Those who

also have GAD typically may have ritualistic behaviors, such as washing their hands repeatedly,

which is also a common behavior with those who have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Risk factors for developing GAD have been discovered throughout the years by many

researchers, as they have found that they are not only environmental, but biological as well.

Although the risk factors for each anxiety disorder vary, general risk factors for GAD can

include:

 “Temperamental traits of shyness or behavioral inhibition in childhood

 Exposure to stressful and negative life or environmental events in early childhood or

adulthood

 A history of anxiety or other mental illnesses in biological relatives

 Some physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias, or

caffeine or other substances/medications, can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms; a

physical health examination is helpful in the evaluation of a possible anxiety disorder”

(NIMH, 2018).

Despite environmental factors, biologically speaking, GAD can develop due to several reasons,

especially with the combination of many other factors. Anxiety disorders are like those of other

mental disorders, as they don’t develop due to a personal weakness, or other problems that are

brought forth. Researchers do not have an exact cause for anxiety disorders, including GAD, but

a suspicion of other factors are to be suspected. Chemically speaking, with a severe or long-

lasting production of stress is consistent in someone’s life, this can change the chemical balance

that controls your mind. According to the Cleveland Clinic, experiencing a great amount of stress

over a long period of time can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder, due to a chemical

imbalance in the brain (Cleveland Clinic). Environmental factors also have a huge affect on the

development of an anxiety disorder, such as experiencing a traumatic event. This can cause a

trigger towards this disorder and is especially higher risk to develop it if they already have a risk

to inherit it.

The effects of GAD on an individual are very impactful and can bring bigger issues later

in their life if it continues to progress. With the repeated amount of stress towards an individual

in their life, the link between stress and anxiety plays a huge factor in its negative effects not

only on the body mentally, but physically, too. An article written by Rivier Academics explains

that there is a link between anxiety and its affect on the brain, especially with memory. “When

your body reacts to real or perceived threats, electrical activity in the brain increases and

produces adrenaline and cortisol. Memory loss can result if that process occurs when fear or
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anxiety is excessive or persists beyond developmentally appropriate periods” (Rivier

Academics). Furthermore, the article goes on to discuss information that was founded by

Behavior Therapy. In this study, it was found “that individuals with clinically severe GAD

had greater difficulty remembering childhood attachment experiences than non-anxious

counterparts” (Rivier Academics). Along with this, adult anxiety is potentially rooted in their

childhood experiences, in which can leave a child uncertain whether a protective figure is

available in times of trouble. The study goes on to discuss how repressing such traumatic

experiences can lead to memory issues. Additionally, the feeling of worry is highly associated

with substantial cognitive avoidance, in which prevents the processing of disturbing emotional

material. But what other affects can GAD have on an individual, especially if they do not receive

treatment? The affects are brutal and very dangerous, and can even be life-threatening, especially

if the anxiety persists to being unbearable. Even though anxiety disorders are highly treatable

with medication and/or therapy, fewer than 40 percent of patients with these illnesses seek

professional help, according to LifeStance Health (GBHP). Especially with the increase in blood

pressure to an individual’s heart with those experiencing anxiety, the physical effects of this can

be fatal. Harvard Health gathered information on those with untreated anxiety, and the reports

found that it caused an increase by 59% likelihood of a woman to have a heart attack.

Unrestricted to just this, untreated anxiety also can make heart attacks 31% more deadly for

women, triples the likelihood of a heart attack in postmenopausal women, and doubles the rate of

heart attacks in adults with heart disease (BGHP). While the presented information can be

terrifying, those with GAD should remember that anxiety is a treatable disorder. By getting

professional help, more individuals can avoid being part of the negative statistics with what

anxiety can do to your physical health. The affects of untreated anxiety are not only limited to
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physical, but it also affects every aspect of your daily life to function. One of the big issues

untreated anxiety can interfere with is your quality of sleep. Another common symptom of

individuals with anxiety disorders mentioned before was sleeping difficulties, such as insomnia.

With the persistent, racing thoughts and worrying, this makes the simple task of sleeping

impossible. Without adequate sleep, people are more likely to develop several issues. These

could include “diabetes, heart disease, common colds and viruses, and obesity” (BGHP). Even

the lack of sleep can also have negative affects on your daily life, as it can increase you to get

into a serious accident or have a fall. For example, driving while exhausted is very dangerous.

Exhaustion can also lead to balance and cognitive troubles. This may cause someone to fall, get

hurt during exercise, or be slow to react in dangerous situations. In some instances, sleeping

difficulties can potentially cause a person to develop anxiety. Other times, the anxiety comes

first. In either case, these problems can worsen one another and lead to a vicious cycle.

Despite the negative affects and symptoms of anxiety disorders, they are easily treated,

with many options, including psychotherapy, medication, or both. There are many ways to treat

anxiety, and people should work with their doctor to find the right treatment that works best for

their needs. Regarding treating anxiety disorders, psychotherapy is one choice. Psychotherapy, or

“talk therapy”, includes many different variations, but for it to be effective, this form of

treatment must be directed at the person’s specific anxieties. Cognitive Behavior Therapy,

commonly known as CBT, is an example of psychotherapy. This teaches people different ways

of thinking, behaving, and reacting to anxiety-producing and fearful objects and situations. CBT

can also help people learn and practice social skills, which is vital for treating social anxiety

disorder.
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Cognitive therapy and exposure therapy are two CBT methods that are often used, together or by

themselves, to treat social anxiety disorder (NIMH). Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying,

challenging, and then neutralizing unhelpful or distorted thoughts underlying anxiety disorders.

Exposure therapy is focused on confronting the fears underlying an anxiety disorder to help

people engage in activities they have been avoiding. CBT can be conducted individually, or with

a group of people who have similar difficulties. Often “homework” is assigned for participants to

complete between sessions. Another form of treatment for anxiety disorders is the option of

medication. While this option does not cure this disorder, it can help to relieve symptoms they

are experiencing. Medication for anxiety is prescribed by doctors, such as a psychiatrist or

primary care provider. Some states also allow psychologists who have received specialized

training to prescribe psychiatric medications. The most common classes of medications used to

combat anxiety disorders are anti-anxiety drugs (such as benzodiazepines), antidepressants, and

beta-blockers (NIMH). Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, panic

Fig 1. Antidepressant pills are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders ("One in 6 Americans Take
Antidepressants")

attacks, or extreme fear and worry.

The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Although

benzodiazepines are sometimes used as first-line treatments for generalized anxiety disorder,
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they have both benefits and drawbacks (NIMH). Some drawbacks of benzodiazepines are that

people can build up a tolerance to them if they are taken over a long period of time. They may

need higher doses to get the same effect, and some people may even become dependent on them.

To avoid these problems, doctors usually prescribe benzodiazepines for short periods of time, a

practice that is especially helpful for older adults, people who have substance abuse problems,

and people who become dependent on medication easily. Beta-blockers are most often used to

treat high blood pressure, but they can also be used to help relieve the physical symptoms of

anxiety. These can include symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shaking, trembling, and blushing.

These medications, when taken for a short period of time, can help people keep physical

symptoms under control. They can also be used “as needed” to reduce acute anxiety, as a

preventive intervention for some predictable forms of performance anxieties (NIMH).

There are many ways to reduce your risk of developing an anxiety disorder, and that

starts with finding ways to control, as well as reduce, the production and sources of your

everyday stress. Incorporating exercise into your daily life is a great way to combat those sources

of stress, and these can include “talking walks regularly, joining an exercise class or gym, or

practicing yoga” (Healthline). If exercise is not something you are interested in participating in,

and you like expressing your thoughts, as it comes more naturally, journaling is a good option.

Keeping a journal can help be a way to track your moods, stress, and anxiety. Especially if you

are working with a mental health professional, a journal can help not only you, but them with

pinpointing your triggers and what helps you feel better. By finding ways to lower your anxiety,

or treating it, it is possible. By bringing awareness to the stigmatism around mental health

disorders, and being aware that being not okay is okay, we can raise the statistic of American

who suffer with not only anxiety disorders, but any mental disorders. A simple starting of a
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conversation for discussing your problems and managing your stress may be difficult for some,

but you’ll find much relief when you take that step.
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Works Cited

Healthline. “Anxiety Prevention: Diet, Journaling, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19

Dec. 2017, https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety-prevention#early-intervention.

Cleveland Clinic. “Anxiety Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatments.” Cleveland

Clinic, 17 Dec. 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-

disorders.

Dubenetzky, Salome. “Differential Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders.” Annals of Psychotherapy &

Integrative Health, vol. 16, no. 2, Summer 2013, pp. 40-46. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=91511570&site=ehost-live.

Fox, Maggie. “One in 6 Americans Take Antidepressants, Other Psychiatric Drugs: Study.”

NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, December 12, 2016.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/one-6-americans-take-antidepressants-

other-psychiatric-drugs-n695141.

GBHP. “How Untreated Anxiety Affects Physical Health: GBHP Blog.” Georgia Behavioral

Health Professionals, 25 July 2019, https://www.mygbhp.com/blog/untreated-anxiety-

physical-health/.

Hollingworth, Samantha A., et al. “Affective and Anxiety Disorders: Prevalence, Treatment and

Antidepressant Medication Use.” Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 44, no.

6, June 2010, pp. 513–519. EBSCOhost, doi:10.3109/00048670903555138.

Medina, Eduardo. “How Young People's Social Anxiety Has Worsened in the Pandemic.” The

New York Times, The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2021,

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/27/us/social-anxiety-pandemic.html.

NIMH. “NIMH - Anxiety Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, July 2018, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-

disorders.

Schultz, Susan Polis. "It's Just Anxiety" Documentary . YouTube, 17 Feb. 2020,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxuM-WgotHw.

Street Nashua, 420 South Main, and Social Navigation Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

YouTube. “The Relationship between Anxiety and Memory Loss.” Rivier Academics, 20

Nov. 2018, https://www.rivier.edu/academics/blog-posts/the-relationship-between-anxiety-

and-memory-loss/.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Comparison - Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on

the National Survey on Drug Use and Health - NCBI Bookshelf.” Impact of the DSM-IV to

DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [Internet]., U.S. National

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t15/.