We've all had those moments when we were overwhelmed by our anxious feelings. In fact, anxiety can be best understood as a stress response, sometimes known as "fight or flight" mode. 

It may seem counterintuitive, but anxiety sometimes serves a useful purpose, such as when it helps you identify a potentially life-threatening scenario and take immediate action to avoid it. 

So, if your anxiety is continuous or appears for no apparent cause, you may think, "How long does anxiety last?" "Will my anxiety get better with time?

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

When you're anxious, you could feel uptight or worried, but you might also find that you're more alert than usual.

For instance, when you're anxious, you might feel your palms getting sweaty, your heart might start beating quicker than usual, and your breathing might quicken than it usually would, or you might suddenly discover that you've been holding your breath.

What Are The Different Types Of Anxiety Disorders?

In England, statistical reports on mental health show that one in four people will deal with a mental health issue in any given year. And every week, 1 in 6 people report having a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression.

Anxiety disorders can be classified into several types. Among these are:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It refers to persistent and excessive stress or worry that gets in the way of life.
• Social Anxiety Disorder. Also known as social phobia refers to the overwhelming fear and discomfort of being judged negatively, rejected, or embarrassed in social circumstances.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder. It refers to the extreme fear of being separated from someone or the fear that something horrible would befall a loved one.
• Panic disorder. Identified as recurrent, unexpected attacks of panic accompanied by significant emotional and physiological distress.
• Phobias. Characterised by extreme and long-lasting fears of things or situations that aren't as dangerous as they seem.

Will Anxiety Get Better With Time?

The average duration of an anxiety disorder is challenging to predict because of its high degree of individual variability. However, there are several significant factors that you should consider.

According to the findings of one study, the following are some factors that contribute to the persistence of anxiety disorders:

• Old age
• Financial issues
• Jobless
• Living alone
• Significant life changes, i.e., marriage, loss of a loved one. 
• Serious health issues
• Diagnosis and treatment time
• The type of anxiety condition
• Multi-anxiety conditions

It's normal for your anxiety levels to rise and fall during the course of your life, depending on your circumstances and your state of mind.

Never forget that anxiety isn't always a bad thing. It can assist us in being ready for everything that may occur. It's concerning, though, if you are always restless, stressed, and agitated.

However, anxiety that persists for long periods and is excessive concerning the actual source of stress or the gravity of the situation may indicate an anxiety disorder.

How Long Does Anxiety Last?

The answer is that it varies from person to person. The symptoms of anxiety can last for a short time or for a more extended period. For some people, it will entirely go away, while overcoming the condition may take a lifetime for others.

In general, an anxiety disorder's effects can be felt anywhere from a few months to years after the first diagnosis.

Many patients suffer from anxiety disorders for years before seeking treatment, with some suffering for as long as a decade.

What Will Happen If Anxiety Is Not Treated?

Anxiety disorders tend to worsen without treatment, which can significantly negatively impact daily life.

Anxiety contributes to various mental and physical health issues, including but not limited to insomnia, depression, social isolation, drug dependence or drug abuse, and gastrointestinal problems.

How To Live Well and Cope With Anxiety?

Acknowledging that you have anxiety can help ease the feeling. Try to take a breath and assess the issue objectively, if at all possible. One effective way to deal with anxiety is to recognise the source of the concern.

Additionally, discovering healthy strategies to deal with your anxiety symptoms can give you the confidence to continue your regular activities and have a more positive view of your health and relationship quality.

Find the combo that works best for you. The following is a list of strategies that effectively reduce anxiety's effects.

Focus on the present. 

Take a minute to gather your thoughts and bring yourself back to the present, then pay attention to the following:

• Four things you can see
• Three, you can feel
• Two, you can smell
• One you can taste. 

This will help you divert your attention away from the anxiousness that is attempting to control your body.

Seek support. 

Try opening up about how you're feeling to someone you trust, like a friend or a family member. Attempt to seek peer support, in which people pool their resources to assist one another.

Set your boundaries. 

If you have a lot on your plate, try saying no to business or personal requests.

Learn to take slow, deep breaths

Do some deep breathing exercises to relax. For 5 minutes, try taking deep breaths in for 4 counts and letting them out for 4 counts. Smooth out your breathing to reduce your heart rate and alleviate stress.

Exercise

Engage in physical activity to help relieve stress, including jogging, walking, swimming, or any exercise you enjoy.

Prioritise sleep

Learn effective ways how to sleep if you're having trouble sleeping. Make every effort to get enough sleep to feel energised for the next day. If you're having trouble sleeping, consult your doctor. 

Eat healthily

Eat a nutritious diet with proper meals to maintain your energy levels. A healthy diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish may help alleviate anxiety.

Try supplements

When coupled with healthy eating and other lifestyle changes, supplements have been observed to successfully reduce stress levels, thus, lessening anxiety. Ashwagandha, holy basil, L-theanine, and Rhodiola Rosea are science-backed supplements that can help reduce stress.

Take care of yourself as you cope with anxiety

Your ability to better manage your anxiety will improve if the treatment you receive for your anxiety disorder addresses both the physical and psychological attributes. The longer you wait to get help for your issues, the worse they may get. Before your anxiety becomes unbearable, you must seek help from a doctor or therapist.