How do I know if my anxiety is an actual disorder or just stress?

If worry or physical tension occurs on most days for six months and interferes with work or relationships, clinicians label it generalized anxiety disorder.

Why Do I Feel Anxious All the Time? Medical Reasons and Practical Solutions

What are the most common medical and psychological reasons for constant anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural alarm system, but it can become persistent when brain chemicals, life stressors, or physical illnesses keep that alarm switched on. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, explains that "anxiety rarely has a single cause; it’s typically the sum of biology, habits, and environment."

Generalized anxiety disorder is the leading psychiatric driverAbout 3 % of adults worldwide experience excessive worry on most days for at least six months, often without recognizing it as a diagnosable condition.
Chronic stress reshapes brain circuitsElevated cortisol for weeks enlarges the amygdala—your fear center—and shrinks the hippocampus, making the brain oversensitive to minor threats.
Thyroid overactivity mimics panicHyperthyroidism raises heart rate and adrenaline; 30 % of patients initially seek help for anxiety, not neck swelling or weight loss.
Alcohol and caffeine cycles worsen symptomsWithdrawal from nightly alcohol and morning intake above 200 mg caffeine can both trigger tremor, palpitations, and jitteriness.
Hidden medical conditions can trigger sudden adult anxietyCleveland Clinic notes that when anxiety appears for the first time in adulthood, clinicians frequently uncover hormone imbalances (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal), brain or adrenal tumors, or infections such as Lyme disease as the root cause. (CC)
Women carry almost double the lifetime risk of generalized anxietyResearch summarized by Healthline places lifetime GAD prevalence at 7.7 % for women versus 4.6 % for men, underscoring a pronounced sex gap in vulnerability. (HL)

References

Which anxiety symptoms mean I should seek urgent medical help?

Most anxiety feels uncomfortable but not dangerous. Certain signs, however, suggest a heart, lung, or neurologic emergency rather than a purely anxiety disorder. The team at Eureka Health warns, "If new anxiety comes with red-flag physical changes, rule out medical emergencies first."

Chest pressure with left-arm pain could be a heart attackAn estimated 5 % of emergency chest-pain visits labeled “anxiety” later prove to be cardiac events.
Shortness of breath that worsens when you lie down may signal pulmonary embolismA blood clot in the lung can present with sudden anxiety, rapid breathing over 25 breaths per minute, and low oxygen saturation.
Fainting or new seizures point to neurologic diseaseSyncope, especially with tongue biting or incontinence, requires immediate evaluation for epilepsy, arrhythmia, or brain lesions.
Unexplained weight loss above 10 % of body weight in 6 monthsThis can accompany cancers, hyperthyroidism, or severe depression and should not be dismissed as “stress.”
Sudden panic with chest pain or trouble breathing requires emergency careHealthline recommends calling emergency services for a panic attack when chest pain, racing or irregular heartbeat, or difficulty breathing are present, because these signs can also indicate heart or lung emergencies. (Healthline)
Suicidal thoughts during anxiety are a psychiatric emergencySolvHealth notes that the CDC classifies suicidal thoughts or behaviors as requiring immediate emergency or crisis intervention, not routine mental-health follow-up. (SolvHealth)

References

Could hidden physical conditions be fueling my nonstop anxiety?

Many patients treat their anxiety for years before anyone checks basic labs. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, notes, "Up to 40 % of chronic anxiety patients in primary care have a reversible medical contributor."

Low vitamin B12 below 200 pg/mL impairs nerve functionDeficiency increases irritability, paresthesias, and panic; replacement often calms symptoms within four weeks.
Iron-deficiency anemia reduces brain oxygenationHemoglobin under 11 g/dL is linked to restlessness and poor sleep; treating anemia decreases anxiety scores by 30 % on the GAD-7 scale.
Polycystic ovary syndrome doubles anxiety prevalenceHigh testosterone and insulin resistance disrupt serotonin metabolism; managing hormones often improves mood.
Beta-agonist inhalers can over-stimulate the heartRegular albuterol use for asthma raises pulse and tremor; adjusting the dose or adding a controller medication can take the edge off.
Overactive thyroid can mimic panic attacksHyperthyroidism drives rapid heartbeat, tremor, and heat intolerance; Cleveland Clinic clinicians advise ordering a TSH panel whenever anxiety starts suddenly or without psychosocial triggers. (CC)
Anxiety doubles risk of thyroid and respiratory diseaseAn Archives of Internal Medicine study of more than 4,000 adults found those with an anxiety disorder were roughly twice as likely to carry diagnoses such as asthma, gastrointestinal illness, or thyroid dysfunction, underscoring the need for a medical work-up. (SD)

References

What day-to-day actions actually lower anxiety symptoms within weeks?

Self-care works best when it’s specific, measurable, and practiced daily. The team at Eureka Health says, "Small, consistent habits alter brain chemistry more predictably than occasional big efforts."

Daily 20-minute brisk walks lift serotonin by 10 %Aim for 150 minutes weekly; studies show exercise equals low-dose antidepressants for mild anxiety disorders.
Structured worry time trains the brain to postpone ruminationSet a 15-minute evening window to list worries; outside that slot, tell yourself “later.” Participants cut daytime worry episodes by 35 %.
4-7-8 breathing reduces heart rate variability within 60 secondsInhale 4 s, hold 7 s, exhale 8 s; the vagus nerve slows adrenaline release.
Consistent sleep schedule resets cortisol rhythmGoing to bed and waking up within a 30-minute window reduced GAD scores by 25 % in a University of Pittsburgh study.
Five-minute cyclic sighing practice cuts anxiety and boosts moodStanford researchers showed that participants who performed the double-inhale, slow-exhale “cyclic sigh” for 5 minutes daily experienced measurable drops in anxiety and improved mood after just one week. (StanfordMed)
Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake curbs quick anxiety flare-upsHealthline notes that both caffeine and alcohol can provoke or worsen anxiety by overstimulating or disrupting brain neurotransmitters; many people feel noticeably calmer within days of cutting back. (Healthline)

References

Which lab tests and treatments are usually considered when anxiety never lets up?

Doctors rule out physical causes first, then discuss therapy and, when needed, medication. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, explains, "Objective data—labs or ECG—builds patient confidence that nothing serious is missed."

TSH and free T4 detect thyroid diseaseA TSH below 0.4 mIU/L suggests hyperthyroidism; normalizing levels often cuts anxiety in half.
CBC and ferritin screen for anemiaLow ferritin (<30 ng/mL) correlates with restlessness; iron supplementation is a low-risk first step.
ECG rules out arrhythmias confused with panicDetecting atrial fibrillation early prevents stroke and removes a major anxiety trigger.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is first-line psychological treatmentTen structured sessions lower relapse risk better than medication alone.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be offered for moderate to severe anxietyThese medicines require 4-6 weeks to reach full effect; doctors start low and monitor for side effects, especially early agitation.
Basic metabolic panel looks for glucose and electrolyte causes of anxietyMedscape lists serum glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, and liver–kidney enzymes among the routine labs used to rule out metabolic triggers that can mimic or worsen anxiety symptoms. (Medscape)
Vitamin B12 and D tests catch silent deficiencies linked to nervousnessLow 25-hydroxy-vitamin D or serum B12 can cause fatigue, irritability, and anxious mood; identifying and supplementing these deficiencies often eases symptoms without additional medication. (TranquilMind)

References

How can Eureka’s AI doctor clarify why I feel anxious all the time?

Eureka’s AI doctor gathers your symptoms, history, and lifestyle factors to generate a ranked list of possible causes within minutes. The team at Eureka Health states, "Our algorithm cross-checks 4 000 studies, then flags anything that needs urgent in-person care."

Symptom triage identifies red flags fastIf you enter chest tightness plus sweating, the AI prompts you to call 911 before continuing.
Personalized lab suggestions improve diagnostic accuracyFor chronic anxiety with fatigue, the tool may propose TSH, CBC, and serum B12, which a human clinician reviews before ordering.
Progress tracking shows what worksDaily mood scores plotted against sleep or caffeine intake reveal patterns many patients miss.

What makes Eureka’s AI doctor a safe partner for ongoing anxiety care?

Anxiety recovery is a marathon, and many users want 24/7 support without judgment. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, shares, "Users rate Eureka 4.7 out of 5 for feeling heard—an essential ingredient in anxiety relief."

Private, encrypted conversations stay on your phoneNo social feed, no selling data; HIPAA-compliant servers guard your records.
Licensed clinicians double-check any prescription or testAI drafts the plan, but a physician approves or adjusts it, adding human oversight.
Free to get started with unlimited check-insUnlike traditional visits, you can ask follow-up questions anytime without extra cost.
User satisfaction rivals in-person therapy for convenienceIn an internal survey, 82 % said using the app reduced their clinic visits for anxiety within three months.

Why Do I Feel Anxious All the Time? Medical Reasons and Practical Solutions

Summary

What are the most common medical and psychological reasons for constant anxiety?

References

Which anxiety symptoms mean I should seek urgent medical help?

References

Could hidden physical conditions be fueling my nonstop anxiety?

References

What day-to-day actions actually lower anxiety symptoms within weeks?

References

Which lab tests and treatments are usually considered when anxiety never lets up?

References

How can Eureka’s AI doctor clarify why I feel anxious all the time?

What makes Eureka’s AI doctor a safe partner for ongoing anxiety care?

Become your own doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

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General References