Patient Education: Understanding Anxiety

1. What Anxiety Is

Anxiety is when you feel very worried, nervous, or afraid, even when there is no real danger. Everyone feels anxious sometimes, but for some people it happens often and makes daily life hard.

2. Types of Anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Worrying most of the time about many things.
  
  

• Panic Disorder: Sudden attacks of fear, racing heart, or feeling like you cannot breathe.
  
  

• Social Anxiety: Feeling very nervous in social situations.
  
  

• Phobias: Strong fear of specific things (like heights, flying, or spiders).
  
  

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Stress after a scary or dangerous event.
  
  

3. Causes

• Stress at work, school, or home
  
  

• Family history of anxiety or depression
  
  

• Past trauma or scary events
  
  

• Certain medical problems
  
  

• Use of drugs, alcohol, or caffeine
  
  

4. Signs and Symptoms

• Fast heartbeat, sweating, or shaking
  
  

• Trouble sleeping
  
  

• Feeling restless or “on edge”
  
  

• Shortness of breath
  
  

• Stomach problems, nausea, or diarrhea
  
  

• Trouble focusing or feeling easily distracted
  
  

5. Risks if Anxiety is Not Controlled

• High blood pressure and heart problems
  
  

• Depression or substance abuse
  
  

• Poor sleep and fatigue
  
  

• Relationship or work problems
  
  

• More hospital visits or health issues
  
  

6. Treatment

• Medicines: Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help with symptoms.
  
  

• Therapy: Talking with a counselor or therapist can help you learn ways to cope.
  
  

7. Non-Pharmaceutical Control (Things You Can Do Without Medicine)

• Deep breathing and relaxation exercises
  
  

• Daily physical activity, like walking
  
  

• Keeping a regular sleep schedule
  
  

• Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and drugs
  
  

• Talking to supportive friends or family
  
  

• Using mindfulness or meditation apps
  
  

8. Complications

• Severe panic attacks that feel like heart problems
  
  

• Using drugs or alcohol to cope
  
  

• Trouble leaving the house or doing daily tasks
  
  

• Risk of hurting yourself if depression develops
  
  

9. Post-Hospitalization Information

• Follow your doctor’s instructions closely.
  
  

• Take medications as prescribed, do not stop suddenly.
  
  

• Go to therapy or counseling appointments.
  
  

• Share any side effects of medicine with your doctor.
  
  

• Ask for help from your home health team if anxiety gets worse.
  
  

10. Home Management & Recovery

• Practice daily stress-relief routines.
  
  

• Write down worries in a journal to release stress.
  
  

• Keep a list of coping skills handy (breathing, walking, calling a friend).
  
  

• Stay connected with family, friends, or support groups.
  
  

11. Prevention of Complications

• Do not skip medicines or therapy sessions.
  
  

• Avoid alcohol, drugs, or smoking.
  
  

• Make healthy lifestyle choices (balanced diet, exercise, good sleep).
  
  

• Report new or worsening symptoms right away.
  
  

12. Monitoring Symptoms

• Keep track of when anxiety happens and what triggers it.
  
  

• Notice changes in sleep, appetite, or mood.
  
  

• Share this information with your doctor or nurse.
  
  

13. When to Contact Home Health vs. ER

• Call Home Health:
  
  

  • If anxiety is getting worse day by day
    
    

  • If you are not sleeping well or missing meals
    
    

  • If you feel your medicine isn’t working
    
    

  • If you are having trouble with daily activities
    
    

• Go to the ER (Emergency Room):
  
  

  • If you feel like you might harm yourself or others
    
    

  • If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or think you are having a heart attack
    
    

  • If panic attacks are so severe you cannot function
    
    

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

Patient Homework / Assessment

True or False Questions

(Choose TRUE or FALSE for each)

1. TRUE or FALSE: Anxiety always means something dangerous is happening.
   
   

2. TRUE or FALSE: There are different types of anxiety, such as panic disorder and phobias.
   
   

3. TRUE or FALSE: Stress and family history can cause anxiety.
   
   

4. TRUE or FALSE: A fast heartbeat and sweating can be symptoms of anxiety.
   
   

5. TRUE or FALSE: If untreated, anxiety can affect your heart and blood pressure.
   
   

6. TRUE or FALSE: Medicine is the only way to treat anxiety.
   
   

7. TRUE or FALSE: Exercise and relaxation can help control anxiety.
   
   

8. TRUE or FALSE: Drinking alcohol is a good way to manage anxiety.
   
   

9. TRUE or FALSE: Writing worries in a journal may help relieve stress.
   
   

10. TRUE or FALSE: Avoiding sleep can help reduce anxiety.
    
    

11. TRUE or FALSE: Panic attacks can sometimes feel like a heart attack.
    
    

12. TRUE or FALSE: It is safe to stop taking anxiety medicine suddenly without telling your doctor.
    
    

13. TRUE or FALSE: Support from friends and family can help reduce anxiety.
    
    

14. TRUE or FALSE: Home health should be called if anxiety is getting worse each day.
    
    

15. TRUE or FALSE: The ER should be used if you feel like harming yourself.
    
    

16. TRUE or FALSE: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing can reduce anxiety.
    
    

17. TRUE or FALSE: Monitoring your triggers can help manage anxiety.
    
    

18. TRUE or FALSE: Skipping medicine or therapy sessions can make anxiety worse.
    
    

19. TRUE or FALSE: Limiting caffeine may help reduce anxiety symptoms.
    
    

20. TRUE or FALSE: A healthy lifestyle, including diet and sleep, can help prevent complications from anxiety.
    
    

Individualized Questions (Patient-Specific)

1. What makes your anxiety worse at home?
   
   

2. What helps you calm down when you feel anxious?
   
   

3. Who can you call for support if your anxiety gets too strong?
   
   

Answer Key with Explanations

1. False – Anxiety can happen even without danger.
   
   

2. True – There are many types, like panic disorder and phobias.
   
   

3. True – Stress, family history, and trauma are causes.
   
   

4. True – Fast heartbeat, sweating, and shaking are signs.
   
   

5. True – Uncontrolled anxiety can harm the heart.
   
   

6. False – Therapy, exercise, and relaxation can also help.
   
   

7. True – Exercise and relaxation are proven coping tools.
   
   

8. False – Alcohol makes anxiety worse over time.
   
   

9. True – Journaling can help manage stress.
   
   

10. False – Lack of sleep usually makes anxiety worse.
    
    

11. True – Panic attacks often feel like a heart attack.
    
    

12. False – Never stop medicine without your doctor’s guidance.
    
    

13. True – Support systems are important for recovery.
    
    

14. True – Home health can help when anxiety worsens.
    
    

15. True – Suicidal thoughts or severe danger require the ER.
    
    

16. True – Relaxation and deep breathing reduce stress.
    
    

17. True – Triggers should be tracked to help manage symptoms.
    
    

18. True – Skipping therapy or medicine can make things worse.
    
    

19. True – Caffeine can increase anxiety symptoms.
    
    

20. True – Healthy living helps prevent complications.