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Anxiety: An Overview

If you'd like to talk to someone about this subject, please contact MIT Medical's Mental Health Service at 617-253-2916.

The information below is provided by MIT Medical's Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, which offers members of the MIT community specialized health expertise, information, and educational programs.

Anxiety can be a normal response to upcoming exams, new relationships, job interviews, or a looming deadline at work or in the lab. Sometimes anxiety is a good thing: It signals that you care about your performance and increases your motivation to prepare for that test or interview. But too much anxiety can interfere with your ability to lead a happy, healthy, and productive life. Identifying and managing your symptoms will help you get the most out of your time at MIT and help you develop skills to avoid, or cope with, future episodes of anxiety.

When should I seek help for my anxiety?

Anxiety that is out of proportion to the circumstances may be an illness, not just a state of emotion. It is important to realize this and to seek help if your anxiety feels overwhelming, doesn’t go away, or interferes with your daily routine or relationships. 

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

• Generalized anxiety is a feeling of excessive worry, tension, and stress that persists all day, every day, for six months or more. Generalized anxiety interferes with daily functioning and can keep you from doing things you want to do. In addition to chronic worry, symptoms may also include irritability, upset stomach, fatigue, dizziness, trembling, muscle aches, hot flashes, and insomnia.
• Obsessions are intrusive, recurrent, and distressing thoughts that don’t go away, such as a fear of germs or constant worry about the possibility of harm to loved ones. People with obsessions often develop compulsive behaviors to temporarily relieve their anxiety, such as repeatedly washing their hands, repetitively checking door locks, or hoarding unneeded items. 
• Panic attacks are sudden, unrealistic, and overwhelming fears of being in danger. People experiencing a panic attack often believe they are dying, having a heart attack, choking, or unable to breathe. Common symptoms also include heart palpitations, chest pains, hot flashes, sweating, and tingling sensations.
• Phobias are intense and persistent fears. Phobias may be fears of things, such as heights or strangers, or of situations, such as going out in public or speaking in front of classmates or coworkers.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by feelings of anxiety that persist long after a traumatic event involving serious harm or the threat thereof is witnessed or experienced. People with PTSD often experience flashbacks and nightmares, have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, avoid places associated with the traumatic event, and become detached from loved ones.
• Social anxiety is characterized by intense fear of being embarrassed in public or judged or ridiculed by others. People with social anxiety often avoid doing certain things in front of others, such as eating or speaking, and in extreme cases avoid going out in public altogether.

MIT Medical Can Help

MIT Medical’s Center for Health Promotion & Wellness suggests several resources to help manage your anxiety:

• Call 617-253-CALM (2256) to be guided through a quick relaxation technique.
• Explore the Center’s extensive multimedia library, which includes books, videos, and other material on topics ranging from relaxation to good nutrition.
• Download audio files on releasing neck and shoulder tension, reducing test anxiety, and other topics.
• Sign up for a wellness class, such as Mindful Meditation or Gentle Yoga, to learn anxiety-reducing techniques.

Counseling

If your anxiety is recurring, severe, or disrupts your daily life, talk to your care provider or schedule an appointment at MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service. Counselors there can help you learn relaxation techniques and reduce the frequency and severity of your anxiety episodes. All visits to the Mental Health Service and conversations with Mental Health staff during phone calls or in-person sessions are completely confidential. The services of MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service are offered at no charge to students.

Medication

In addition to relaxation techniques, certain prescription medications, in combination with counseling, may be effective in managing anxiety. Speak with your care provider about your options and the best course of treatment for you.

Additional Resources

National Institute of Mental Health: Download free publications to learn more about anxiety disorders, treatment options, and community services.

Freedom From Fear: Take an online self-screening test for anxiety or depression, and learn more about available resources.

Overcoming OCD website and guide