THE SOURCE: EDUCATION TOPICS

Anxiety

ANXIETY

Anxiety is different than fear. Fear happens in response to a present threat. Anxiety happens in response to a future threat.
The Source | Education Topics | Anxiety
Anxiety happens in response to a future threat.
Fear and anxiety can happen at the same time. Everyone experiences anxiety. So what makes typical anxiety different from an anxiety disorder?

For those with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety is excessive and persistent. It disrupts the person’s life and causes significant distress.

Another way of saying this is that the person feels really anxious most of the time and that the feeling doesn’t go away easily.

There are different types of anxiety disorders, depending on the specific object or situation that triggers the anxiety, fear or avoidance behavior.

As with all mental health concerns, medical or substance use causes must be considered first.

It is important to get help from your family doctor or a mental health professional to consider all the different reasons for your (or your child’s) symptoms.

Child Mind Institute: Brittany Snow #MyYoungerSelf

Brittany Snow talks about how the struggles and strengths of anxiety and depression feel to her.
CHECK IT OUT

“I felt very alone and weird. It wasn’t til I got older that I realized that I was one of many, and there were so many people that had overcome what I was going through.”

Further Reading

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has two handouts that explain anxiety to caregivers and young adults.

CAREGIVERS
YOUNG ADULTS
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has more information about the types of anxiety disorders and possible treatment methods.
READ MORE
The website infoaboutkids.org has links to a lot of other resources on anxiety in children.
READ MORE
The Source • Youth Mental Health Network

CALL TO ACTION

If you or your child need help or have questions, check out our list of community resources and remember,
IT’S OK TO ASK!

GO TO OUR RESOURCES PAGE

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 or GO TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM

For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255 or text the word ‘home’ to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 or GO TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM

For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255 or text the word ‘home’ to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.