Anxiety Disorder

What Is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is beyond the occasional nervousness or stress everybody experiences. Anxiety involves intense, continuous feelings of fear, dread, and worry that could interfere with daily life. These disorders are the most prevalent of all mental health disorders, and millions of people worldwide suffer from anxiety.

Despite the fact that anxiety is generally seen as an ordinary reaction to stress – it helps individuals stay alert in certain dangerous situations – anxiety disorder includes excessive and hard-to-control feelings of anxiety.

What Are The Types Of Anxiety Disorders?

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): 

The condition of continuous, excessive anxiety and worry about common events or activities that are usually disproportionate to the circumstances.

2. Panic Disorder: 

It is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are paroxysmally the bursts of intense fear and physical symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pains, and palpitations of the heart.

3. Social Anxiety Disorder: 

A deep fear of social interactions, driven by worries about being judged, embarrassed, or negatively perceived by others.

4. Agoraphobia: 

This is a type of fear related to being in situations where, if an individual were to be caught, escape might be hard or embarrassing, or help unavailable. Consequently, such persons take to avoiding places and things.

5. Separation Anxiety Disorder: 

Excessive fear of separation from a loved one; can occur in both children and adults.

6. Special Phobia: 

The intense specific object or situation, such as flying or heights, which triggers extreme avoidance.

7. Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder:

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What Are Anxiety Symptoms?

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder, but common signs and symptoms often include:

Psychological symptoms:

• Persistent feelings of panic, fear, or unease
• Irritability or being constantly "on edge"
• Obsessive, uncontrollable thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

Physical Symptoms:

• Restlessness or feeling tense
• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
• Cold, sweaty hands or dry mouth
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Muscle tension and aches
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders result only from the involvement of biological and environmental factors:

• Chemical Imbalances: 

  Neurotransmitter imbalances, such as those involving serotonin and GABA, can contribute to anxiety.
  
  

• Brain Changes: 

  Anxiety disorders are associated with increased activity in the amygdala.
  
  

• Genetics: 

  A history of anxiety in the family increases risk.
  
  

• Environmental Factors: 

  Anxiety disorders can result from long-term psychological stress or even trauma.

Who Is At Risk For Anxiety Disorders?

1. Individuals with a Family History of Anxiety

• Genetics play a role in anxiety disorders. Those with close family members who have anxiety or other mental health issues are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder themselves.

2. People with Chronic Health Conditions

• Chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and chronic pain, can increase the risk of anxiety disorders due to the ongoing stress and uncertainty they often bring.

3. People with a History of Trauma or Abuse

• Experiencing trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, or other significant life events like the loss of a loved one, can lead to anxiety disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common result of such experiences.

4. Those with High-Stress Jobs or Life Situations

• Jobs that demand high performance, long hours, or significant responsibility (e.g., first responders, military personnel, and corporate executives) can increase stress levels, which may lead to anxiety.

5. Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

• Drug or alcohol abuse, as well as withdrawal, can exacerbate or lead to anxiety disorders. Conversely, some people with anxiety disorders may turn to substances as a coping mechanism.

6. Children and Adolescents

• Young people who experience bullying, academic pressures, or difficult family situations may develop anxiety. Social anxiety and separation anxiety are common in children and teens.

7. Women

• Studies show that women are more likely than men to develop anxiety disorders. Hormonal changes, societal pressures, and higher rates of traumatic experiences like abuse contribute to this increased risk.

8. People with Certain Personality Types

• Individuals who are naturally more sensitive, perfectionistic, or who tend to overthink are at a higher risk for anxiety. These personality traits can make stress and worry harder to manage.

9. Individuals with Other Mental Health Disorders

• People with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders are at an increased risk for developing anxiety disorders as co-occurring conditions.

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Treatments For Anxiety Disorder

At Nuview, we implement evidence-based treatments effective in managing anxiety disorders and enhancing quality of life. This will involve the following treatment modalities:

Medication Treatment 

Antidepressants: These have been widely used in treating anxiety along with depression. Antidepressants of the classes of SSRIs and SNRIs are employed for mood regulation. These medications usually take weeks for noticeable effects to appear.

Benzodiazepines: Such medications as diazepam and lorazepam are considered the effective treatment for short-term anxiety in view of risks for dependency, and their use should be cautious.

Beta-blockers: Though these are mainly used to help with heart conditions, they can be prescribed for individuals who experience strong physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heartbeat or trembles.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT): This is the gold standard for the treatment of anxiety; from this approach, individuals are able to grasp the way to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that further worsen anxiety.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This is all about the acceptance of anxious thoughts rather than keeping away from them. In these therapies, one learns how to live with discomfort and anxiety by using mindfulness and goal setting.

When To See A Doctor

Professional help is important to seek if:

• Your anxiety is affecting your daily life, relationships, or work performance in a harmful way.
• You find it difficult to control your fear or worry.
• You are experiencing additional mental health concerns, such as depression or substance abuse.
• You think your anxiety is linked to a physical health issue.
• You experience thoughts of harming yourself or others or of suicide.

If this happens, you should immediately seek emergency help. Early intervention means better results. If you find yourself experiencing these signs, reaching out to Nuview for help could make all the difference in your journey towards recovery.