Anxiety Disorders
What is anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that include a
whole plethora of conditions, which range from constant anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia and major depressive disorder (MDD).
These disorders consist of several psychological or neurological
conditions that bring on physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and
depression. They can be accompanied by other medical problems such as sleep, dizziness,
nausea and vomiting too. All these types of disorders interrelate with one
another to varying degrees. In some cases, they are linked to brain dysfunction
(psychological) and in others to psychiatric disorders, but it is important to
know more about the symptoms of each type before attempting to diagnose as
you will discover the most reliable form of help.
Types of Anxious Illnesses and Their Causes
Anxiety disorders can be classified into 4 main broad groups:
Generalized anxiety disorder — the general term for all kinds of
anxiety disorders is GAD. It can refer to different kinds of anxiety disorders
and often is used interchangeably with the American Psychiatric Association’s
popular name. Some types of GAD include panic disorder, agoraphobia, somatoform
pain disorder, trichotillomania and generalized anxiety syndrome. Generalized
anxiety disorder is mainly characterized by increased levels of anxiety over
the course of time. Severe cases may cause an inability to function normally in
daily life and sometimes require professional medical assistance. Panic
disorder is characterized by extreme feelings of fear and dread arising from
impending danger. There is usually a sudden onset of intense worries about a
specific situation which occurs abruptly. People who have this condition often
develop disabling panic attacks. Agoraphobia is commonly used to describe the
fear of being near certain places or situations such as elevators, public
transit, aeroplanes or train stations. It is considered a chronic illness since
there is no clear timeline to determine whether the disorder has been present
for at least six months. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a kind of anxiety
disorder that generally consists of feeling low levels of happiness and
self-esteem for at least two weeks, accompanied by persistent sadness, loss of
interest in activities and thoughts of hopelessness. It tends to affect both
genders. Generally, the person will have normal to elevated moods within
several days, followed by worsening distress. The initial symptoms tend to
subside after two to three days and last for about four weeks. In severe cases,
the individual can lose his or her sense of security and personal identity.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes PTSD after experiencing
significant events, including death, serious injury or severe change in your
life. PTSD can arise from anything that scares you or makes you feel scared,
like witnessing the rape of children or being exposed to abuse during
childhood. It is regarded as another form of anxiety disorder and is believed
to be the most stable of the ones described above. A person may experience PTSD
immediately following a traumatic event (e.g., having witnessed the murder of a
loved one); or on a delayed basis (e.g., if you experience grief following the
deaths of loved ones). Other forms of anxiety disorders include agoraphobia. A panic attack is a sudden episode of anxiety. During a seizure, you feel very
shaky, shaking and shaky, as well as choking and dizzy. These are mostly
short-lasting attacks which occur when someone experiences imminent harm. While
not everyone will get a seizure, some people will experience it in some way,
shape or form frequently. Social phobia consists of fears about interacting
with many types of life-threatening people, especially those that are scary due
to their appearance or behaviour. This includes adults, children, and members of
ethnic minorities. Existing research strongly suggests a genetic component
underlying many symptoms of social phobia. One research study, in particular,
found that close relatives of individuals suffering from social phobia disorder
were more likely to have had seizures, a seizure disorder, than were
individuals who did not suffer from social phobia. Another study found a strong
relationship between social phobia and epilepsy. Another type of anxiety disorder
that causes physical symptoms is major depressive disorder (MDD). An individual
can feel depressed for at least two weeks of time over any period of anywhere
from one month to two years. It is associated with feelings of hopelessness,
guilt and loss of interest in activities, as well as insomnia, weight loss and
sleeping difficulties. Both MDD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are
associated with sleep disorders, usually in the form of difficulty falling
asleep (anxiety can interfere with the development of sleep and sleep
patterns). However, not only do people with MDD suffer from sleep disorders but
also from the decreased need for sleep in general, which can lead to poor work
performance and lower academic and emotional success. There are various
medications available to treat panic syndrome and somatoform pain disorder
(SPSD), generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) that
are effective. Although some medications are suitable for specific kinds of
anxiety disorders, there is still a lot of potential for side effects such as
drowsiness and dizziness as with SPSD.
Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders
One important element of diagnosis is to use tools that
accurately assess your symptoms. If your symptoms don’t fit the criteria listed
above, then you should consult a psychiatrist. If you find yourself in the
category of PSD, consult a psychologist. Likewise, if you are diagnosed with
GAD, consult a combination of psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health
professionals (such as a psychiatrist). You should always talk to a specialist
or counsellor before trying medication. If you experience symptoms of ADHD, talk
to someone who specializes in this area. Psychotherapy is a useful option for
anyone seeking treatment for a disorder that involves the brain because it
combines behavioural therapy (behavioural) techniques and cognitive-behavioural
treatment (cognitive therapy).
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Treatment of anxiety disorders is extremely complex, involves
numerous sessions and therapies and requires ongoing care. Treatment options
include things like psychotherapy, behaviour therapy, cognitive behavioural
therapy, mindfulness programs, relaxation practices, relaxation therapy, stress
management techniques, mindfulness training, family counselling services,
school-based interventions, occupational therapy, substance abuse treatment,
nutritional advice, massage therapy, acupuncture, religious therapy, etc. Each
treatment method has pros and cons so you must try them out to see what works
best for you. Below are a few guidelines for selecting therapy options:
Psychotherapy – A comprehensive approach that uses therapeutic
dialogue to understand your emotions and behaviours. Behavioural therapy – helps
identify problems with unhealthy habits, as it applies lessons learned from
behavioural therapy to treat anxious behaviours. Cognitive-behavioural therapy –
It helps improve behaviours and thought processes through education and learning
skills. Relaxation techniques – Used with anyone dealing with anxiety
disorders, relaxation techniques are helpful in managing stress and improving
physical and emotional well-being. Stress management techniques – They focus on
enhancing relaxation, handling anxiety and reducing distress. Individual
therapies – Provides individual support for individual goals and feelings of
anxiety. Family members and friends also play a great role in helping the
client learn more about their own disorders. For instance, a child who suffers
from eating disorders might benefit from a parent or caregiver who shares how
much he or she eats. Religious/spiritual therapy – Helps individuals to learn
new ways of relating. Prayer therapy – Encourages prayer in response to the
anxiety symptoms. Meditation practices – Help individuals to meditate, focusing
on breathing techniques to ease anxiety. Yoga and meditation programs – Help
individuals relax the body through posture exercises and relaxation. Energy
therapies – Teaching clients energy to increase strength, reduce anxiety and improve breathing techniques and heart control. Alcoholics can benefit from
motivational methods based on the principles of sobriety programs.
Prevention of Anxiety Disorders
It is estimated that between 10% and 30% of anxiety disorders
are undiagnosed. These types of disorders will vary depending on age and other
factors. In order to prevent anxiety disorders and other psychological
problems, it is vital for people to take steps to manage stress and anxiety,
which are discussed below.
Stress Management
Stress management is essential for successful diagnosis since we
are constantly bombarded with information regarding this topic and that is why
stress management training has recently become mandatory for every
workplace-based worker.
Physical activities that support relaxation
For those suffering from anxiety disorders, exercise or yoga are beneficial. Several studies have shown that people with anxiety disorders who regularly engage in vigorous exercises regularly report improved physical health and reduced stress symptoms. Exercise is considered something that can enhance one’s resilience, mental health and sleep quality. Other benefits of exercise include improved body composition and improved blood flow. Many people have started exercising either as part of regular exercise routines, on their own or as a way to cope with stress. Exercise in its long term effect is not just going to help relaxation but also can help prevent future occurrences. Exercise improves blood circulation, which increases oxygen throughout the body, relieves inflammation and reduces blood pressure. Exercise is linked to high levels of the hormone serotonin, which can slow the rate of anxiety progression. As you grow older, your mind becomes more developed and smarter, it can process data faster and more efficiently, less prone to distraction. Therefore, starting young is especially important since our brains mature faster in this period of life. Additionally, physical activity in its natural setting is also tremendously important since the mind gets an extra boost if your workout is performed in nature. Regardless of where you go, just getting up and moving is enough to trigger relaxation. Moving can range from walking to playing a sport like a basketball to working out or simply walking outside while watching TV. Your favourite destination for stretching is your local park since it encourages everyone to come together while exercising and can improve stress relief in the body as well as stress reduction in the mind. If possible, incorporate movement into your daily routine rather than going for a run right.
