Check Out: How Anxiety Disorders Is Taking Over And How To Respond
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times. It's a natural part of human nature. If these feelings are persistent and interfere with your daily life, then you might be suffering from anxiety disorder.
A medical professional can assist you in locating a solution that is compatible with your symptoms. This can include psychotherapy or antianxiety medication as well as natural remedies such as exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep.
1. Worry and Fear
Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and fear from time time. It's normal to experience our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. However, if the fear or anxiety is extreme, doesn't disappear and is a hindrance to your daily routine it could be an indication of anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by talking with you and conducting physical examinations, taking blood or urine tests, and examining your past health. You might also be asked to complete questionnaires that aid your doctor in determining whether you suffer from anxiety disorders.
Different types of anxiety disorders exhibit different symptoms. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, for instance, worry excessively and irrationally about everyday situations even though there is no real threat. They also have difficulty getting comfortable or falling asleep. Other signs include a rapid or racing heart (heart beating) as well as trembling and sweating. People with panic disorder have repeated moments of intense terror or fear that can reach a peak within minutes, and they have difficulty managing their emotions. They stay clear of certain areas and activities to avoid attacks.
People who have phobias have strong fears about certain things, like snakes or flying. They may also have other symptoms as well like breathing problems or headaches. People suffering from PTSD are anxious after experiencing or witnessing traumatizing events such as the aftermath of a car crash or war. Other symptoms could include flashbacks or nightmares that reminisce about the traumatizing event.
Other types of anxiety disorders include ocd, hoarding disorder and social anxiety disorder, which makes you feel anxious when you are in social situations. There's also anxiety over a specific health problem, called illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria). Stress and a chemical imbalance may also trigger anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety is a side effect of some medications.
2. Panic Attacks
Although everyone is nervous or scared at some point, those with anxiety disorders have recurring sensations of anxiety and fear that are in contrast to their situation. These feelings can trigger severe physical reactions like a racing pulse, shortness in breath, and nausea. It is also possible to feel disconnected or numb.
Although anyone can experience a panic disorder however, it is more common to experience it during childhood, adolescence or in the early years of adulthood. There are many factors that can trigger it, such as prolonged or extreme stress that creates chemical imbalances in your nervous system and brain. Severe trauma, particularly during childhood or adolescence can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
The attacks can happen for no reason or in response a situation that causes you to be scared, such as being in an entire group. They differ from normal feelings of anxiety because they cause more intense symptoms and are usually unexpected. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also experience a mixture of unanticipated and expected panic attacks.
Therapy and talk therapy are the most popular treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Talking therapies help you manage your anxiety and help you eliminate the irrational thoughts that fuel your anxiety. They can also help you learn to relax by doing exercises like deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications -- especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help to reduce anxiety and make panic less severe.
If you have a recurrent panic attack, you need to consult with your doctor and get treatment right away. Your doctor can determine whether you have any other medical conditions that have similar symptoms and recommend other treatment options.
3. Insomnia
People who are anxious may be unable to fall asleep or staying asleep. This is referred to as insomnia. This can happen for only a few minutes or can last a long time. Insomnia can make it difficult to make it through the day, and could cause serious health problems. It affects women more than men and is more prevalent in older people. It is also more prevalent for those suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Many different factors can trigger insomnia. Many different things can trigger it. Sleep is affected by a variety of temporary illnesses like colds or headaches, chronic conditions such as acid reflux, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and medication. Stressful life situations can also cause it. Around half of people who suffer from chronic insomnia have a mental health condition, most often anxiety or depression.
A doctor will first look for physical causes. They will examine your medical history and inquire about the symptoms that are making it difficult to sleep. They will also inquire if you are taking any medications that might affect your sleep. They could 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 to change the negative thought patterns that keep you awake. It also teaches ways to relax before sleep. There are a variety of methods to do this, including progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and meditation. Your doctor can help you locate a therapist who can teach you these methods. If you find that behavioral therapy does not work then you can explore a range of medications to assist you in sleeping better. These include benzodiazepines that can be used to alleviate symptoms temporarily, as well as anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication.
4. Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with weight, body shape and food, as well eating behaviors like restrictive eating, binge eating, purging (through vomiting or misuse of laxatives) and excessive exercise. Many people who have an eating disorder also suffer from anxiety as do those who have a mental illness co-occurring with it like bipolar or depression disorder. The two conditions can result in an unhealthy cycle where eating disorder symptoms are made worse by a person's mood issues.
There is a strong correlation between anxiety and the severity of eating disorders. Anxiety levels that are higher symptoms are associated with the disorder. In fact the person suffering from anorexia nervosa is more likely to have the presence of anxiety-related symptoms at a high level, and the same applies to those suffering from the disorder of binge eating known as bulimia nervosa. In some cases anxiety can be the direct reason behind an eating disorder. In mixed anxiety depressive disorder could be a supplementary indication of an eating disorder.
In one study, researchers found that comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly related to more severe symptomatology of eating disorders in females who were young. The team of researchers used a four-item scale known as the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, which assesses anxiety and depression symptoms. They also measured the severity of a person's eating disorder and asked participants to rate their strategies for coping for anxiety.
The authors of the study also looked at three factors that could help explain the connection between eating disorders and anxiety: self-esteem, perfectionionism and mood dysregulation. These factors influenced the relationship between depression/anxiety and eating disorders, but in different ways, depending on the subgroups. They hope that their findings will help them develop more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders.
5. Physical ailments that are associated with anxiety
Most people have anxiety at some point in their lives, but it can become an illness if it becomes extreme and affects your with daily activities. Some people may also experience physical symptoms such as chest pain or stomach discomfort, depending on what kind of anxiety they're experiencing.
Finding the best treatment for anxiety disorders can help people feel better and lead happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very common type. CBT is a method of helping you identify and alter negative thoughts that can trigger anxiety and anxiety. It also teaches you to face the things that make you anxious and conquer your fears in small steps.
Medication can be helpful. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium can help ease anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs, are also available for prescription. These drugs are used to treat anxiety disorders on their own or in conjunction with other treatments.
Anxiety-producing medical conditions can be caused by medical conditions and may cause the same physical symptoms as an anxiety disorder. For instance, head trauma can cause depression and anxiety. Other conditions that can trigger anxiety include chronic fatigue and pain as well as rheumatologic disorders like lupus and some nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency.
Certain factors make a person more likely to develop anxiety disorders. These are referred to as risk factors. Some are genetic, such as a family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors, like childhood sexual abuse, an underlying depression history or other mental health issues and the accumulation of stress over a long time, may increase the risk for anxiety disorders. If you suspect that you are suffering from anxiety it is essential to have an examination for physical health.