How To Explain What Is Anxiety And Symptoms To Your Grandparents
What is Anxiety and Symptoms?
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, if your anxiety is intense and persistent, it could be a mental health problem. You can seek help to treat your symptoms.
Treatment options include psychotherapy (or "talk therapy") and medications. Medications can reduce your anxiety and fears. Discuss with your doctor which medication is best for you.
Symptoms
Feeling anxious from time to moment is normal and typically goes away once the cause of the anxiety is eliminated. It is recommended to consult a physician when your anxiety or nervousness is severe or affects your daily life. They can help you identify the source of your symptoms and determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
There are a variety of types of anxiety disorders. Each has distinct symptoms. Generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder are a few of the most prevalent. Other disorders include social anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria), agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Selective mutism, also known as anxiety disorder, is a condition that makes you avoid speaking in certain situations, even when you can communicate normally in other. It is most commonly seen in children. People with more than one anxiety disorder often have symptoms of each one simultaneously.
Symptoms of anxiety are different for everyone and can affect your entire body or just specific areas of it. Some symptoms can be very physical, such as a quick pulse or a feeling of choking. Other symptoms are more emotional, for example, feeling overwhelmed or out of control.
Anxiety disorders are quite common, but they are treatable. Your doctor will begin by asking you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They could also use an instrument to measure the severity of your symptoms as well as how long they've lasted. Your doctor could also conduct tests to determine if there is a physical issue that could be creating your symptoms, for example asthma or thyroid issues.
Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" and sometimes medications can help people with anxiety disorders. Talk therapy, such as exposure and cognitive behavior therapy can help you learn to think, act and behave in a more relaxed manner. The medications used to combat anxiety include antidepressants as well as drugs that help to calm the central nervous system, like benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. There are also natural treatments that can ease your symptoms, including meditation and exercise. Limit your consumption of caffeine because it can cause symptoms to worsen and disrupt sleep.
Diagnosis
Anxiety symptoms can sometimes be confused with other mental health issues. The diagnosis of anxiety requires a careful examination by a medical professional. Your doctor will ask about your current and past symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They might also use questionnaires to help identify specific types of anxiety disorders. To determine the right diagnosis, the health care provider could refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). This is the most commonly used reference to diagnose mental illness.
A doctor will typically determine the physical cause of the symptoms, such as an issue with the heart or an infection. They may suggest blood or urine testing to check for medical causes. They may also suggest an emotional test or a physical exam based on your symptoms.
The signs of anxiety could include anxiety-related problems with concentration, muscle tension or feelings of being tense or easily fatigued. Some people experience difficulty sleeping. The doctor might prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsants to treat epilepsy. A low dose of an antipsychotic medication, such as buspirone (BuSpar) can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Psychotherapy, which entails learning to change your mental outlook and talking with a mental expert is also available.
People with anxiety disorders are at an increased risk of contracting certain diseases, like heart disease. They also have a higher chance of having serious adverse reactions from certain medications. A history of trauma or abuse as a child may increase your risk for depression and anxiety. A chronic medical condition can also cause anxiety and make your symptoms worse.
Anxiety is a normal part of being human, and a majority of people have it at some point in their lives. However, if your worries and fears begin to interfere with your everyday life, or persist for a long time it could be the right time to seek treatment. Specialists at NYU Langone can diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment that will help you feel better. We can also refer to an in-person mental health program that provides continuous therapy and support.
Treatment
Fortunately anxiety disorders can be treated. Treatment typically consists of medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a type of counseling that will teach you how to manage your symptoms. You might find complementary health techniques like meditation and exercise helpful.
The first step to treat anxiety is to see a doctor to rule out physical causes. If your doctor doesn't believe there's a physical cause then you might be referred to an expert in mental health care for evaluation. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder tend to be worried constantly about everyday things and feel constantly anxious. They also have difficulty getting comfortable, have trouble staying focused, and often suffer from tension in their muscles or sleep issues.
If you have panic disorder, you experience an intense and sudden fear that causes you to have chest pain, a heartbeat that is pounding (palpitations), lightheadedness, sweating, or feeling as if you're having an attack of the heart or some other serious health issue. You might avoid situations you fear could cause an attack. If you have social anxiety disorder, you have overwhelming worries and self-consciousness about being with other people. You may be scared of being criticized or teased by others, which could cause you to stay at home from social gatherings and work.
Certain medications can ease physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as trembling and nausea. You may need to try different medications before you can find the one that is effective for you. Antidepressants such as those that come from the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibit (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) are usually the first medicines that doctors prescribe to combat anxiety. These include escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine, and duloxetine. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam, (Valium), can be used to treat anxiety, but they are addictive.
Psychotherapy can help you identify uninformed thinking that contributes to the anxiety symptoms. The most popular type of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. Your therapist can teach you skills to direct your focus away from worrying and worrying thoughts, and assist you in overcoming the things that cause you to be nervous.
Self-help
One can alleviate anxiety symptoms through self-help methods. Some methods include relaxation exercises, getting enough sleep and avoiding foods which can cause anxiety. It is also important to take your medication exactly as prescribed. It may be necessary to try a variety of different medications before finding the one that is most effective.
A balanced diet that includes fish, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce anxiety symptoms . Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants such as cola and coffee can help too. Exercise can help to reduce stress chemicals and promote relaxation.
A mental health professional can also help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy can teach coping strategies and help people understand the root causes of anxiety. Psychotherapy can involve cognitive behavioral therapy, or other forms of talk therapy, like exposure therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy.
Some people with anxiety may develop a fear that is a strong fear of a specific object or event. Some people suffer from health anxiety which make them fear that any pain or ache is a sign they are sick. Health anxiety can be caused by a range of factors, such as a history of physical illness and the family history.
People with anxiety can benefit from a session with a therapist who specializes in this kind of disorder. Your primary care physician can recommend therapy or a mental health center. You can also ask your friends and family members for recommendations. Examine your health insurance plan to see if psychotherapy is covered.
The use of medications are also used to help with anxiety. Antidepressants and sedatives, also called benzodiazepines, may provide quick relief from anxiety. They are generally not meant for long-term use, though. These medications are beneficial for people with anxiety. However, they should discuss with their doctor the risks, benefits, and side effects.
Anxiety is normal, however it can become a major issue if it is persistent and interferes with your daily life. It's a good idea consult your primary care physician or get referred to a mental health professional if you have persistent, excessive worries or other signs. Consider joining an online support group if you are having trouble dealing with anxiety.