Anxiety is a natural emotion that protects us from danger and helps us avoid risky situations. It is part of everyday life and plays a vital role in human survival.
In moderate levels, anxiety helps us stay alert and focused. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and starts to interfere with daily functioning, it may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions. International studies show that around one in five people will experience an anxiety at some point in their life. They can occur at any age, although women are affected more frequently than men. Their intensity can vary from mild worry to severe panic, often accompanied by other psychological or physical symptoms such as sleep problems, restlessness, or concentration difficulties.
Unfortunately, only a small number of people receive proper treatment for anxiety—often because their symptoms are misinterpreted, or minimized.
Many people suffering from anxiety disorders visit a psychiatrist in Dubai for treatment of anxiety only after years of struggling with symptoms. Early psychiatric intervention, however, greatly improves the chances of recovery.
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What Are Anxiety Disorders in Adults?
What all anxiety disorders in adults have in common is that confrontation with the feared object, situation, or thought can provoke intense symptoms. These often include pronounced physical stress reactions such as sweating, heart palpitations, inner restlessness, and a strong urge to escape. The intensity of these reactions can be comparable to the experience of a panic attack.
An anxiety disorder is diagnosed when fear becomes excessive and is triggered by situations or objects that are not actually dangerous. Adults affected by anxiety disorders experience significant distress and, understandably, try to avoid these situations. Over time, this avoidance can severely restrict daily life. Social withdrawal and major limitations in everyday functioning are common consequences.
Although anxiety disorders are experienced as highly distressing, they respond well to psychotherapeutic treatment. Medication is used only when necessary, for example if additional mental health conditions are present.
Because the boundary between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is often fluid, careful assessment and clear explanation are essential. This allows both patients and clinicians to choose the most appropriate therapeutic approach. In the following sections, we provide an overview of the different types of anxiety disorders in adults.
If you recognize yourself in these descriptions, we recommend seeking a personal consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Which Conditions Are Included Under Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders can look very different from one person to another. This depends on the predominant type of anxiety, and it is not uncommon for several forms of anxiety to occur at the same time. One major group within anxiety disorders is phobias.
Phobias are clinically significant fears related to specific events, situations, objects, or people. They are characterized by a strong and often irrational urge to avoid the feared trigger. Phobias can take many forms.
Agoraphobia
refers to the fear of public spaces, crowds, or situations in which escape, help, or rescue seems difficult or impossible. Inner restlessness can escalate to an almost unbearable level, accompanied by an intense urge to leave the situation immediately. As a result, people with agoraphobia often avoid public transport, driving on highways or remote country roads, and even shopping in busy city centers. Some individuals can only cope with everyday tasks when accompanied by a trusted person. In severe cases, complete isolation may occur, as the home is perceived as the only safe space and is no longer left.
Claustrophobia
A related but distinct condition is claustrophobia, which involves fear of confined spaces such as elevators, changing rooms, airplanes, or crowded trains.
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
is marked by an intense fear of being observed, embarrassed, or negatively judged by others. People affected tend to avoid social situations where they might have to speak in front of others or eat in public. Physical symptoms such as blushing, trembling, an urgent need to use the restroom, or even fear of vomiting may occur.
Specific phobias
include a wide range of fears focused on particular objects or situations. These may involve animals, natural phenomena, injections or injuries, or specific situations such as flying. Not all specific phobias require treatment. However, some can be severe and associated with significant distress and limitations in daily life.
There is an almost endless list of possible phobias. Some of the more well-known anxiety-related conditions include:
- Agoraphobia: fear of public spaces
- Arachnophobia: fear of spiders
- Flying Phobia: fear of flying
- Acrophobia: fear of heights
- Hypochondria: fear of having serious illnesses
- Claustrophobia: fear of confined spaces
Social Phobia
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is distinct from phobias. It is characterized by recurrent panic attacks that strike suddenly and without warning. These attacks come “out of the blue” and are accompanied by intense physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and feelings of faintness. The fear can escalate to a fear of dying. Although panic attacks are extremely distressing, symptoms usually subside completely within an hour.
Many people live in constant anticipation of the next attack. Often, it is this fear of fear that feels most disabling in everyday life. Avoidance behavior is common, with individuals steering clear of situations they believe might trigger another panic attack.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
In contrast, generalized anxiety disorder is defined by persistent and excessive worry that has often been present for months or even years. This anxiety dominates thinking and emotional life and feels uncontrollable. Constant inner tension, restlessness, and relentless worrying about potential dangers or misfortunes are typical. Anxiety becomes a constant companion and may occasionally intensify into panic attacks or develop into depression.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder develops after a traumatic event involving actual or threatened danger to life or physical integrity. Such events may include experiences of terrorism, war, torture, displacement, sexual violence, abuse, or witnessing natural disasters, crimes, or serious accidents. These situations are often accompanied by intense fear and horror.
Typical symptoms of PTSD include avoidance of trauma-related reminders, intrusive and uncontrollable memories, distressing nightmares, and persistent inner tension. This heightened state of arousal often leads to sleep disturbances, exaggerated startle responses, and increased irritability.
Diagnosis: Understanding Anxiety Disorders Properly
Most people initially consult their family doctor or general practitioner. At this stage, it is essential to rule out possible physical causes through appropriate medical examinations. If no organic explanation is found, or if it does not sufficiently account for the symptoms, patients are usually referred to a psychiatrist.
Following a thorough assessment, the specialist can diagnose an anxiety disorder. If symptoms are particularly severe or have been present for many years, inpatient treatment at a specialized clinic may be recommended.
Psychiatric Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the psychiatric treatment of anxiety disorders. The most effective therapeutic approaches include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or a combination of both.
A successful treatment depends not only on the choice of therapy but also on the patient’s motivation and understanding of their condition. During consultations, the psychiatrist in Dubai for treatment of anxiety helps patients recognize their symptoms as expressions of anxiety rather than signs of physical illness, teaching them how to cope with triggers and regain emotional stability.
An essential part of the treatment is identifying the individual causes of anxiety. Each person’s fear has its own roots and patterns. A detailed psychiatric assessment allows us to understand how different factors—such as stress, trauma, or lifestyle—interact and contribute to the disorder. This insight forms the foundation of an effective, personalized therapy plan.
Psychotherapy for Anxiety Disorders
At our clinic, anxiety disorders are treated by a dedicated team of experienced therapists. We offer both individual and group therapy programs, using a range of well-established therapeutic approaches tailored to each patient’s needs.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation helps patients become experts in understanding their own anxiety disorder. They learn about the physiological processes behind anxiety, possible causes, and the mechanisms that keep anxiety going—often described as the “vicious cycle of anxiety.” Based on this understanding, patients and therapists work together to develop personalized coping strategies. These strategies focus not only on short-term relief, but also on long-lasting improvements in managing anxiety.
Behavioral Therapy (BT)
Behavioral therapy aims to deliberately expand a person’s range of behaviors. On the one hand, behaviors with positive long-term effects—often avoided due to fear or lack of experience—are gradually practiced and strengthened. For example, someone with social anxiety may slowly build the skills needed to initiate and maintain social contact.
On the other hand, behaviors with negative consequences are replaced by healthier alternatives. A person with agoraphobia and panic disorder, for instance, may learn to reduce anxiety by openly addressing conflicts or engaging in physical activity, instead of relying on alcohol.
A key element of behavioral therapy is exposure. Patients learn to face feared situations or stimuli and to tolerate the anxiety until habituation occurs—a process in which anxiety decreases naturally on both a physiological and cognitive level. Initially, this process is closely guided by a therapist. Over time, patients practice exposure more independently, learning step by step to manage anxiety rather than letting anxiety control their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients recognize entrenched patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior that contribute to anxiety. Through targeted exercises, these patterns are gradually modified. One well-known technique is systematic desensitization, in which patients are exposed step by step to the situations that trigger their fears, allowing them to overcome phobias gradually. Other methods, such as habituation strategies or intensive exposure, may also be used depending on the individual case.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
Progressive muscle relaxation, based on the Jacobson method, is an internationally established relaxation technique that has proven effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It involves alternating between tension and relaxation of different muscle groups. This helps patients become more aware of physical tension and learn how to release it consciously. When practiced regularly over time, PMR offers a simple, body-focused way to reduce stress and gain better control over emerging anxiety.
Social Skills Training (SST)
Social skills training is based on structured group programs designed to strengthen behaviors that are essential for building and maintaining satisfying social relationships. Particular emphasis is placed on skills such as asserting one’s rights, expressing personal needs, and fostering positive connections with others.
A central component of this training is role-play. In a safe group setting, participants can practice behaviors they may have previously avoided due to fear. Through constructive feedback, these skills are refined and then transferred into everyday life, helping patients approach social interactions with greater confidence and ease.
Medication for Anxiety Disorders
In cases of anxiety disorder, various medications can be prescribed. The most common are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a group of antidepressants that help regulate mood and reduce anxiety. Other medications, such as benzodiazepines, may be prescribed for short-term use to relieve acute anxiety symptoms.
Antidepressants for Treatment of Anxiety
Antidepressants can significantly reduce or even eliminate symptoms of anxiety, but they usually take several weeks to reach full effectiveness. Typically, it takes 2 to 6 weeks before their calming effect becomes noticeable.
SSRIs
It is important to understand that antidepressants are not addictive. Among the most well-researched SSRIs for anxiety are Escitalopram and Paroxetine. When patients respond well to treatment, psychiatrists usually recommend continuing the medication for several months to prevent relapse.
SNRIs
Another effective group of medications are selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Duloxetine and Venlafaxine. They work similarly to SSRIs and are often prescribed when the first-line medications are not effective or tolerated.
A common mistake is stopping antidepressants too early or reducing the dose without consulting a doctor. Doing so often causes anxiety symptoms to return. Therefore, psychiatrists recommend continuing medication for about 12 months and then gradually reducing the dose. In some cases, long-term treatment may be necessary for lasting stability.
When SSRIs or SNRIs are ineffective or not well tolerated, other options can be considered:
Other Medications Used for Treatment of Anxiety
- Buspirone – This medication can reduce anxiety symptoms but is less well studied than SSRIs. It is usually prescribed when other treatments have failed. Possible side effects include dizziness, nausea, or sleep difficulties.
- Hydroxyzine – An antihistamine that can help alleviate anxiety symptoms but is used less frequently because it is not as well researched as standard antidepressants.
- Benzodiazepines – These sedatives can quickly relieve acute anxiety or panic attacks, but due to the risk of dependence, they are prescribed only for short periods under close medical supervision.
Because every person responds differently to medication, a psychiatrist in Dubai for treatment of anxiety may need to try several options before finding the most effective and best-tolerated one.
Course and Progression of an Anxiety Disorder
Phobias that begin in childhood often resolve on their own during adulthood. Many children, for example, experience intense fear of spiders or insects, yet gradually overcome these fears as they grow older. Even in adults, certain specific phobias may lessen over time, sometimes depending on life circumstances and personal development.
For some people, anxiety develops gradually and almost unnoticed. For others, it appears suddenly and without warning. Agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, however, tend to intensify the longer they remain untreated. These forms of anxiety often evolve over extended periods—sometimes over many years. The longer they persist, the more the problems tend to spread into different areas of life.
Panic disorder also typically follows a fluctuating course, with periods of improvement and worsening over many years, and often becomes chronic. In severe cases, anxiety disorders can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Some individuals rarely leave their home and may no longer be able to work. Social relationships frequently suffer as well. In an attempt to cope or self-medicate, some people turn to alcohol or misuse medication.
This is where professional support can make a decisive difference. With appropriate treatment, it is possible to interrupt this course and regain stability, independence, and quality of life.
What Happens If an Anxiety Disorder Remains Untreated?
The course of an anxiety disorder can vary widely. Phobias that develop in childhood often disappear on their own in adulthood. Many children, for example, have a strong fear of spiders or insects, yet gradually overcome this fear as they grow older. Certain specific phobias may also diminish in adults over time, often influenced by personal development and life circumstances.
For some people, anxiety develops slowly and almost unnoticed, while for others it appears suddenly and unexpectedly. Agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, however, usually become more severe the longer they remain untreated. These conditions often evolve gradually, sometimes over many years. As time passes, anxiety tends to spread and affect more areas of life.
Panic disorder also typically follows a long-term course with periods of improvement and worsening, and often becomes chronic. In severe cases, an anxiety disorder can dominate everyday life. Some individuals rarely leave their home and may no longer be able to work. Social relationships frequently suffer as well. In an attempt to cope with ongoing distress, some people turn to alcohol or misuse medication as a form of self-treatment.
This is where professional support can make a meaningful difference. With appropriate treatment, the progression of anxiety can be interrupted and quality of life can be restored.
Finding the Right Psychiatrist in Dubai for Anxiety Treatment
Choosing an experienced psychiatrist in Dubai for treatment of anxiety is crucial for recovery. The psychiatrist not only prescribes medication but also provides therapeutic guidance, psychoeducation, and emotional support throughout the healing process.
At CHMC Clinic in Dubai, psychiatric care combines modern pharmacological treatment with psychotherapy and lifestyle recommendations. The goal is to help patients understand their anxiety, manage triggers, and regain control over their emotional well-being.
If you are struggling with constant worry, panic attacks, or unexplained physical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or restlessness, seeking help from a psychiatrist in Dubai for treatment of anxiety can be the first step toward long-term relief and recovery.
Psychiatrist in Dubai for Treatment of Anxiety. Summary
Anxiety is a universal human experience. It is a natural and adaptive response of the mind and body to perceived danger and plays an essential role in protecting us and ensuring survival.
An anxiety disorder develops when physical sensations that are essentially harmless are misinterpreted as dangerous or life-threatening. A rapid heartbeat may be perceived as a heart attack, dizziness as an impending loss of consciousness. These interpretations increase inner tension, which in turn intensifies physical symptoms, anxious thoughts, and fear. Over time, this interaction creates a self-perpetuating vicious cycle that can be repeatedly triggered by specific situations or bodily sensations.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety include heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, nausea, trembling, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. Many individuals also describe pressure in the chest or head. Emotionally, anxiety can escalate into panic, often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, loss of control, or an intense fear of dying.
In an attempt to cope with the perceived threat, affected individuals often begin to avoid triggering situations or escape from them as quickly as possible. Some try to suppress anxiety through alcohol or medication. While these strategies may offer short-term relief, they reinforce the underlying fear, strengthen the anxiety cycle and often lead to a dependency. If left untreated, anxiety disorders can progressively restrict daily life and, in severe cases, lead to profound functional impairment and long-term disability.
Early psychiatric assessment and targeted treatment can interrupt this cycle and help restore stability, independence, and quality of life.
