Anxiety Disorders: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times - it's an inevitable part of being human. But when these feelings persist and cause problems in your the daily routine, you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
A health professional can assist you in locating a treatment that matches your symptoms. This could include psychotherapy, antianxiety medications or natural remedies such as exercise, healthy diet, and sleep.
1. Fear and Worry
Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and fear from time time. It's a natural part of our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. If the feeling is extreme and doesn't disappear, or if it interferes with daily life it could be a sign that you have anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by having a discussion with you, a physical examination, blood or urine tests, and questions about your health history. You may also be provided with questionnaires to fill out to help your doctor determine whether you suffer from a specific anxiety disorder.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders differ depending on the kind. People with generalized anxiety disorder, for example are constantly worried and irrationally about everyday things even when there is no threat to their lives. They also have trouble relaxing or falling to sleep. Other signs include a rapid or fluttering heart (heart pounding), trembling, and sweating. People with panic disorder have repeated periods of intense feelings of terror or fear that rise to an extreme within minutes, and they have difficulties managing their emotions. They stay clear of certain areas and activities to avoid attacks.
People who suffer from phobias have strong fears about certain things, like snakes or flying. Other signs include headaches or difficulty breathing. People suffering from PTSD suffer from anxiety following an experience or witnessing traumatizing events like the aftermath of a car crash or war. They may also experience other symptoms, too, such as flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatic incident.
Other anxiety disorders include OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) as well as hoarding disorder and social anxiety disorder. These disorders make you feel anxious when in social situations. You may also experience anxiety about a particular health issue, which is called illness anxiety disorder. Other causes of anxiety are stress and an imbalance of chemicals in your brain. Sometimes, anxiety can be an effect of certain medications.
2. Panic Attacks
Individuals with anxiety disorders are prone to experiencing recurring sensations of extreme anxiety and fear that are not proportional to their situation. These feelings can trigger intense physical reactions, like rapid heartbeat or a shortness of breath, as well as nausea. You might also feel disengaged or numb.
Although anyone can experience panic disorder however, it is more common to develop it in adolescence, childhood or in the early years of adulthood. There are many factors that can trigger it, including prolonged or extreme stress that creates chemical imbalances in your nervous system and brain. Trauma, particularly during teenage or adolescence, can increase the chances of developing anxiety disorders.
Panic attacks may occur for no apparent cause or in response to a circumstance that makes you feel anxious, for example, being in an entire group. They differ from normal anxiety symptoms because they are more intense, and are often unexpected. People with anxiety disorders can also experience a combination of expected and unexpected panic attacks.
Therapy and talk therapy are the most commonly used treatments for panic attacks and anxiety. Talking therapies help you manage your anxiety and help you eliminate the unfounded thoughts that cause anxiety. They can teach you relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Certain medications, particularly SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) -- can reduce anxiety and make panic less severe.
It is essential to consult your doctor immediately if you have frequent panic attacks. Your doctor can determine whether you have other medical conditions that have similar symptoms and suggest other treatments.
3. Insomnia
When people are anxious, they may have trouble sleeping or staying asleep at night. This is called insomnia. This can be a short-term problem or a long-term one. Insomnia can make it hard to make it through the day and can cause serious health issues. It is more prevalent among older adults and is more common in women than men. It is more prevalent among those with psychiatric disorders.
A variety of things can cause insomnia. Sleep is affected by a variety of temporary illnesses like colds or headaches 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 suffering from chronic insomnia have a mental illness, which is most often depression or anxiety.
The first thing doctors will do is to look for physical causes for the issue. They will ask you questions about your medical history and the symptoms that make it difficult to sleep. They will also ask if you are taking any medication that may be affecting your sleep. They can also conduct a sleep study to observe your heart rate and breathing at night.
Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It helps you overcome the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also shows you how to unwind before you go to bed. There are methods for doing this, such as biofeedback, progressive relaxation and meditation. Your doctor can help find a therapist to teach you the techniques. If you are not responding to behavioral therapies There are a variety of medications that can help you get better sleep. These include benzodiazepines that can be used to alleviate symptoms temporarily and can also be used as an antidepressant and antianxiety medications.
4. Eating Disorders
The most common symptoms of eating disorders are obsessions with body shape, weight and food, as well as eating habits like restricted eating, binge eating, purging (through vomiting or laxative misuse) and excessive exercise. Many people with an eating disorder experience anxiety. This is also true for those who also have a mental illness like bipolar disorder or depression. Both conditions can lead to an unhealthy cycle where the eating disorder symptoms are made worse by the person's mood issues.
There is a strong association between eating disorders and anxiety, with greater levels of anxiety symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. In fact, a person with anorexia tends to exhibit excessive levels of anxiety symptoms, and the same is true for those with the disorder of binge eating known as bulimia nervosa. In some instances, anxiety can be the primary reason for an eating disorder. In others, it may be an additional symptom of an eating disorder.
In one study, researchers discovered that depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly related to more severe symptomatology of eating disorders in females who were young. The researchers employed an assessment of four items called the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, which evaluates the symptoms of anxiety and depression. They also assessed the severity of an individual's eating disorder and asked participants to rate their coping strategies for anxiety.
The authors also examined three variables that could help explain the relationship between eating disorders and anxiety self-esteem, perfectionism, and mood dysregulation. These factors influenced the relationship between depression/anxiety and eating disorders however in different ways based on the subgroups. They hope the findings will result in more specific and targeted treatment for eating disorders.
5. Anxiety-related physical conditions that can be linked to anxiety
Many people experience anxiety-related feelings at some time, but it becomes a problem when it's extreme and causes problems with daily living. Some people may also experience physical symptoms such as chest pain or stomach discomfort, depending on what type of anxiety they are experiencing.
The appropriate treatment can allow people to live more healthy and happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular kind. CBT teaches how to identify and alter negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and fear. It also teaches you how to confront the fears that scare you and overcome your fears through small steps.
It is also possible to get medication. Benzodiazepines, like diazepam or Valium, can ease anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants, may also be prescribed. These medications are used to treat anxiety disorders on their own or in conjunction with other treatments.
Medical conditions can cause anxiety and may cause the same physical symptoms as an anxiety disorder. Head trauma can cause depression and anxiety, for example. Other conditions that can elicit anxiety include chronic fatigue and pain; some rheumatologic diseases like lupus and some nutritional deficiencies, including iron deficiency.
Certain aspects make a person more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. Certain risk factors are genetic, such as a family history or anxiety disorders . Other factors such as childhood abuse, depression, or other mental disorders, and an accumulation of stress for a long time can increase the risk of suffering from anxiety disorders. If you suspect that you suffer from anxiety, it is important to have a physical exam.