Feeling worried or nervous due to certain pressing circumstances is quite normal for any individual. However, anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness, that results in persistent sorrow and thus affecting day-to-day productivity and overall health.
The primary reason for anxiety is a disturbing life event that causes a lot of trauma, whether in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Other causes of anxiety include genetic and inherited factors, underlying medical illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and hyperthyroidism. Also Read: Thyroid Disorders: Debunking Myths Backed By Science
There are various types of anxiety disorders, but the most common ones are:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
A phenomenon where an individual is constantly worrying about common everyday activities, with the situation often being an irrational or exaggerated fear.
Panic Disorder:
This kind of anxiety causes repeated episodes of terror in a short period of time, also called a panic attack. Panic disorders are usually accompanied by chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
Social Anxiety Disorder:
Assuming that other people will continuously judge them or send out negative vibes, people with a social anxiety disorder or social phobia tend to be highly self-conscious and sensitive.
Risk factors that predispose certain people to anxiety disorders more frequently than others are experiences of trauma as a child or an adult, a family history of anxiety and extreme stress at home or work. Also Read: Stress Can Cause Inflammation In Body, Beat It Right Now
A minor instance of anxiety can easily be remedied by having an open conversation about one’s thoughts and emotions with a trustworthy person – be it a parent, relative, friend, teacher or guidance counselor.
Nevertheless, critical instances of anxiety, affecting normal daily routines, leading to substance abuse and notions of suicide need to be addressed immediately, by seeking professional advice from a mental health expert. In this manner, all complications like depression, insomnia and chronic pain can be prevented and anxiety symptoms can be effectively alleviated.
Symptoms:
The distinguishing signs of anxiety include:
- Unending restlessness and tension
- Sensing doom or imminent danger, even during regular activities
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Tremendous sweating
- Trembling sensation in hands and feet
- Irregular sleeping pattern, with problems in getting uninterrupted sleep
- A heightened sense of worry and apprehension
Diagnosis And Treatment:
Mental health specialists, namely psychologists and psychiatrists use different approaches to diagnose the exact category and severity of anxiety disorder in the patient. The healthcare professional conducts a thorough physical exam, to detect if any underlying physical conditions are triggering mental anxiety. In addition, the doctor also conducts a psychological evaluation, to analyse the individual’s thoughts, behaviour, emotions and responses to common situations, to help determine the exact trigger of anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety comprises the following aspects:
Counseling And Therapy:
Psychologists involve the affected patient in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to impart some useful skills to them, to help them manage stressful circumstances and overcome illogical fears.
Prescription Medicines:
The medical expert also prescribes certain anti-depressants and sedatives, to be taken at the recommended dose and schedule, to assist in better sleep and control over extreme emotions.
Lifestyle Modifications:
The doctor advises the patient to practice healthy eating habits, combined with routine exercise, steering clear of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine addictions as well as deep, undisturbed sleep to efficiently soothe all symptoms of anxiety and help the patient recover completely.
