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**Important Disclaimer:
​This page is for information purposes only. BVA does not recommend any specific therapy modality. BVA does not recommend any provider or course of treatment. This page is designed to provide information to help you understand anxiety, give you some tools for coping, and ideas to talk to your primary care physician about.**

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Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States? Did you know anxiety and depression usually occur together? That's right! When you have one you're more likely to have the other as well. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and treatment options is critical to living with these conditions. On this page you can find out information about what anxiety is, warning signs, what to do if you're concerned, evidence-based treatments, skills to cope, and resources.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is our body’s normal reaction to perceived danger or important events.  Anxiety is like an internal alarm system. It alerts us to danger and helps our body prepare to deal with it. For example, it allows you to jump out of the way of a speeding car. It also lets us know when something important is happening and helps us perform at our best. For example, anxiety can prompt you to bring home your textbook to study for a final exam or motivate you to practice for a class presentation. Anxiety is something that everyone experiences from time to time.

Although anxiety protects us in the face of real danger, it can become a problem when it…

• Goes off when there is no real or immediate danger (e.g., a smoke alarm that goes off when you’re just making toast)
• Happens a lot
• Feels pretty intense
• Is upsetting and causes you distress
• Stops you from doing fun and important things

Understanding the Biology of Anxiety

**These videos reference each other. Watch the Neuroscience video before the Psychology video**

Neuroscience & Medical Treatment

Psychology & Therapy Treatment

Bottom line- we know that anxiety and the brain are complicated! We are learning more about the brain and how to treat anxiety everyday. The good news is that there is help out there! The next step to getting help is to look at treatments that have been proven to be effective.

Evidence-Based Treatments

There are many therapies and treatments for anxiety. We will list the two therapies that are the most supported by research. BVA does not recommend any specific therapy and does not recommend those listed here over others that are not listed here.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) rests on the idea that thoughts and perceptions influence behavior. Feeling distressed may distort one’s perception of reality. CBT aims to identify harmful thoughts, assess whether they are an accurate depiction of reality, and, if they are not, employ strategies to change them. CBT is appropriate for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Evidence has mounted that CBT can address numerous conditions, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and many others. CBT is a preferred modality of therapy among practitioners and insurance companies alike as it can be effective in a brief period of time, generally 5 to 20 sessions, though there is no set timeframe. Research indicates that CBT can be delivered effectively online, in addition to face-to-face therapy sessions.

*Information taken from Psychology Today article here*

Cognitive Distortions: CBT

Automatic Thoughts: CBT

CBT Exercise

Keep in mind this information is to introduce you to CBT. This information does not take the place of therapy and is not intended to be used for medical or psychological intervention. Speak with your primary care physician and your parents to access a mental health professional who specializes in using CBT.

Medication

​There are many different medications that can be prescribed for anxiety. Your primary care doctor or mental health provider can help you decide if medication is right for you, the potential benefits, and potential dangers of taking medications. 

Living with Anxiety

There are activities and coping skills that you can use to live with anxiety. Remember, anxiety is a normal part of life (even if you go to therapy and take medication)! The activities and resources in our Wellness Section are a great place to start. Try out these activities, practice them and see which ones work for you to relieve anxiety before a big test, the big game, or giving that class presentation.

Helpful Apps

There are plenty of free and paid apps out there for anxiety. Make sure you check out the Smartphone Apps page for some ideas to get you started.

Want to Learn More?

These videos are in-depth looks at anxiety disorders as well as biomedical treatments. Both are very detailed and assume you have background knowledge. Watch them for more detailed information on these topics.

Anxiety Disorders

Biomedical Treatments