10 Things We All We Hate About Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms It's normal to experience anxiety and apprehension from time to moment. If these feelings are persistent and are affecting your daily life, you might have an anxiety disorder. A health professional can assist you in locating a solution that is compatible with your symptoms. This could include psychotherapy, antianxiety medications or natural remedies such as exercise, healthy eating, and sleep. 1. Worry and Fear Every person experiences feelings of anxiety and fear from time to time. It's a natural part of our body's “fight-or-flight” response to danger. But if the feeling is intense, does not disappear and is a hindrance to your daily activities it could be an indication of anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a conversation with you, a physical examination, blood or urine tests, and inquiries about your health history. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires to aid your doctor in determining if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. Different types of anxiety disorders exhibit different symptoms. People with generalized anxiety disorder, for instance have a tendency to worry excessively and unintentionally about everyday things even when there is no real threat. They also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing. Other symptoms include a fast heartbeat, fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations) as well as sweating and trembling. People suffering from panic disorder experience repeated moments of intense feelings of terror or fear that rise to an extreme within minutes. They also have difficulty managing their emotions. They avoid certain places and activities to prevent attacks. People who have phobias are afraid of certain things like snakes or flying. Other symptoms may include headaches, or difficulty breathing. People with PTSD have anxiety when they witness or experience a traumatic incident, like a war or car crash. They might have other symptoms too, like nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatizing event. Other forms of anxiety disorders include ocd hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which makes you feel anxious in social settings. You can also experience anxiety about a particular health issue, which is called illness anxiety disorder. Stress and chemical imbalances can cause anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety is an effect of certain medications. 2. Panic Attacks Although everyone is nervous or scared at some point, people with anxiety disorders have recurring feelings of extreme fear and panic that are disproportionate to their situation. These feelings can trigger severe physical reactions such as rapid heart rate, breathlessness, and nausea. You may also feel detached or numb. Although anyone can suffer from a panic attack but you're more likely to suffer from this type of mental health condition in the adolescent years, childhood or early adulthood. Many factors can trigger it, such as prolonged or extreme stress that triggers chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system. A severe trauma, particularly in the adolescent years can increase your risk of developing anxiety disorders. The attacks can happen without cause or in response to a circumstance that makes you feel anxious, for example, being in a large number of people. They are distinct from the usual anxiety-related symptoms because they cause more intense symptoms and are usually unexpected. People with anxiety disorders can also experience a combination of expected and unexpected panic attacks. The use of medication and talking therapies are the most common treatments for panic attacks and anxiety. Talking therapies can help you manage your anxiety and help you eliminate the negative thoughts that fuel your anxiety. They can also help you learn to relax with exercises such as deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications — especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help to make your anxiety and anxiety less severe. It is essential to consult your physician immediately if experience recurrent panic attacks. Your doctor can look for other health illnesses that share similar symptoms and suggest other treatments. 3. Insomnia When people are anxious, they may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night. This is referred to as insomnia. This can be a short-term issue or a long-term. Insomnia makes it difficult to get through the day, and could cause serious health problems. It is more prevalent in women than men and is more prevalent among older adults. It is more common among people suffering from psychiatric issues. Many different things can cause insomnia. There are a variety of things that can cause it. Sleep is affected by a variety of temporary illnesses such as headaches or colds and chronic conditions like acid reflux, Parkinson's disease or arthritis and medicines. Stressful life circumstances could also be the cause. Around half of people who have chronic insomnia also have a mental health condition that is most often depression or anxiety. A doctor will first investigate physical causes. They will examine your medical history and inquire about the symptoms making it harder to sleep. They'll also want to know if any of the medications you are taking affect it. They can also conduct an examination of your sleep to check your breathing and heart rate during the night. Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It helps you change the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also shows you how to sleep more peacefully before bed. There are methods for doing this, like biofeedback, progressive relaxation and meditation. Your doctor can help you find a therapist to teach you these methods. If you do not respond to behavioural therapies, there are several medications that can help you get better sleep. These include benzodiazepines which can be used to alleviate symptoms temporarily, as well as anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication. 4. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are characterized by a preoccupation with body shape, weight, and food as well as eating habits such as eating excessively, purging frequently, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, and compulsive exercise. A lot of people who suffer from an eating disorder also suffer from anxiety, as do those who have a co-occurring mental illness like bipolar disorder or depression. disorder. Combined, disorders anxiety can create a vicious circle where a person's mood problems exacerbate the symptoms of their eating disorder. There is a strong link between eating disorders and anxiety, with more anxiety-related symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. In fact, a person with anorexia nervosa is more likely to have high levels of anxiety symptoms, and the same is true for those with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. In some instances, anxiety can be the primary cause of an eating disorder. In certain instances, anxiety may be a secondary sign of an eating disorder. In one study, researchers found that comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly linked to more severe symptoms of eating disorders in females who were young. The team of researchers used the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) as a four-item measurement of anxiety and depression symptoms. They also evaluated the extent of an eating disorder, and asked participants to rate how they cope with anxiety. The authors also analyzed three factors that could aid in understanding the relationship between eating disorders and anxiety self-esteem, perfectionism, and mood dysregulation. These factors may have influenced the relationship between depression/anxiety and eating disorders however in different ways, depending on the subgroups. They hope that the findings will lead to more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders. 5. Anxiety-related physical conditions that can be linked to anxiety Most people have feelings of anxiety at one point in time, but it becomes a disorder when it's severe and causes problems with daily living. Some people also have specific physical symptoms, such as stomach discomfort or chest pain in response to the type of anxiety they suffer from. Finding the right treatment for anxiety disorders can help people feel better and live happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type. CBT teaches how to identify and change negative thoughts which cause anxiety and fear. It also helps you confront your fears and take small steps to overcome them. Medication can also help. Benzodiazepines like diazepam or Valium can reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants are also prescribed. These medications increase levels of certain brain chemicals that regulate mood, and can be used on their own or with other treatments for anxiety disorders. Certain medical conditions can trigger anxiety and sometimes have the same physical symptoms as those of an anxiety disorder. Head trauma can cause anxiety and depression, for example. Other conditions that can trigger anxiety include chronic fatigue, chronic pain, some rheumatologic illnesses, such as Lupus, and a few nutritional deficiencies. Certain factors increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. These are called risk factors. Some are genetic, such as a family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors like childhood abuse, depression, or other mental disorders, and a long-term buildup of stress can increase the risk of anxiety disorders. For these reasons, it's essential to have an accurate physical exam if you suspect you are suffering from anxiety.