When people carelessly tell you not to worry so much, they're actually giving you a very savvy health tip.    Anxiety not only makes people miserable and fills their mind with constant and occasionally irrational worries, it also can lead to physical illness. 

Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, led by a Dr. Sareen, recently made some studies exploring the connection between anxiety disorders and physical conditions.  Anxiety disorders in various participants were associated with several physical conditions including respiratory disease, arthritis, allergic conditions, migraine headaches and thyroid disease.  It was found that the majority of the individuals developed the physical ailments after the anxiety disorder was diagnosed. 

It's true that people who suffer from anxiety disorders do seem to develop health problems the longer the disorder persists.  This can happen because some disorders directly lead to physical illnesses because of biological changes.  Or an anxiety disorder, if untreated, could lead to another disorder such as substance abuse which could involve drugs or alcohol, which can damage the body leading to physical illnesses.

Indeed, it seems that untreated anxiety disorders are the primary reason physical problems start to appear.  Minor physical symptoms like dizzy spells, nausea, shortness of breath and chest pains may be ignored by the person—or worse yet, they may seek comfort in some unhealthy form of anxiety coping like over drinking or smoking.

Traditional medicine is often suggested to control such anxiety disorders and it has helped many overcome their problems.  However, many people fail to realize that prescription drugs should be considered a last resort.  Many of the most popular forms of anxiety medication like Valium or Xanax are potentially addictive and have been known on some occasion to contribute to ill health.  While strong medication may be the only answer in extreme cases, often times psychotherapy and alternative medicine or practice can help to alleviate the stress.

Ignoring the anxiety attacks and simply living with the pain is another option to consider.  However, it should be balanced with productive self-help treatment, not just ignoring the anxious feelings.  A healthy diet, exercise, meditation and relaxation, along with self-help reassurance can go along way in freeing a person from constant anxiety.  However, just ignoring the pain and coping with the anxiety with no real defense plan could be a health risk.  It could lead to ulcers, breathing problems and even heart disease in the long run.

Psychotherapy is seen as another realistic solution and does not carry the risk of addictive drugs.  However, psychotherapy is not always effective and largely depends on the competence of the therapist.  In psychiatry's defense, the pills do most of the counseling.  In psychotherapy, a doctor who misinforms a patience about coping mechanisms, or who prescribes treatment that proves counter productive or ineffective in some way, has probably done more damage than good.  Before deciding what's best for you, consult a professional.  The worst option is to simply live with a anxiety disorder without any proper defense or understanding of it.