Anxiety Disorders: What Nobody Is Talking About
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times - it's a natural part of human nature. But when these feelings persist and cause problems in your the daily routine, you could suffer from an anxiety disorder.
A healthcare professional can assist you in finding an appropriate treatment that matches your needs. This could include psychotherapy, antianxiety medications or natural remedies such as exercise, a healthy diet and sleep.
1. Worry and Fear
Every person feels anxiety and fear from time time. It's an inherent part of our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. But if the feeling is severe, doesn't disappear and is a hindrance to your daily routine you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Your doctor can determine whether you suffer from dsm anxiety disorders disorders by talking with you and performing an examination, taking blood or urine tests, and examining your previous health. You could also be asked to complete questionnaires to aid your doctor in determining whether you suffer from an anxiety disorders psychology definition disorder.
The different types of anxiety disorders have different symptoms. For example, people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) suffer from constant, excessive and irrational worry about everyday situations even when they are aware of no real danger. They also have trouble sleeping or relaxing. Other symptoms include a fast or fast heart (heart beating), trembling, and sweating. People suffering from panic disorder experience regular periods of intense feelings of terror or fear that can reach the point of exhaustion in a matter of minutes, and they experience difficulties managing their emotions. They stay clear of certain areas and activities to prevent attacks.
People who suffer from phobias are extremely terrified of certain things such as flying or snakes. Other signs include headaches, or difficulty breathing. People with PTSD are anxious after witnessing or experiencing an event that is traumatic, such as a car accident or war. They might have other symptoms, too, including flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatizing incident.
Other anxiety disorders include the ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder) as well as hoarding disorder and social anxiety disorder. These disorders make you feel anxious when in social situations. There's also anxiety over a specific health problem, called illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria). Stress and chemical imbalances can also trigger anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety can be a side effect of some medications.
2. Panic Attacks
People suffering from anxiety disorders experience recurring feelings of extreme panic and fear that are out of proportion to their circumstances. These feelings can trigger intense physical reactions, such as an increased heart rate, shortness of breath and nausea. They can cause you to feel unreal or detached from reality.
Although anyone can suffer from an anxiety attack but you're more likely to develop this mental health condition in the adolescent years, childhood or early adulthood. It can be caused by many factors that include prolonged or severe stress that causes an imbalance of chemicals in your brain and nervous system. Traumas that are severe, especially during childhood or adolescence can increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
Panic attacks can occur without cause or in response to a situation that causes you to feel anxious, for example, being in a large group. They are distinct from normal anxiety symptoms since they have more intense symptoms and are often unavoidable. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also experience a mix of unexpected and expected panic attacks.
The most common treatments for panic attacks and anxiety include medication and talking therapies. Talking therapies can help you understand how to manage your fears and get rid of unfounded beliefs that cause anxiety. They can also teach you to relax with exercises such as deep breathing and mindfulness. Certain medications, especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) -- can reduce anxiety and make panic less intense.
It is essential to consult your doctor right away if you experience recurrent panic attacks. Your doctor can determine whether you have any other medical conditions that have similar symptoms and suggest other treatments.
3. Insomnia
When people are anxious they may have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep during the night. This is known as insomnia. This can be a short-term issue or a long-term. Sleep deprivation makes it difficult to make it through the day, and can cause serious health problems. It is more prevalent in older adults and is more common in women than men. It is also more common in people with psychiatric disorders.
Many different things can cause insomnia. In the short term, illnesses such as colds or headaches; long-term ailments like arthritis, acid reflux or Parkinson's disease; and medications can all affect your sleep. Stressful life events can also be a cause. Around half of those who have chronic insomnia also suffer from mental health issues which is usually depression or anxiety.
The first thing the doctor will do is determine physical causes of the issue. They will review your medical history and inquire about the symptoms that are making it harder to sleep. They will also want to know if any of the medications you are taking are affecting it. They may also perform an examination of your sleep to check your heart rate and breathing at night.
Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It assists you in changing the negative thought patterns that are keeping you awake. It also teaches ways to unwind before going to bed. There are techniques for doing this, like progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and meditation. Your doctor can help you find a therapist to teach you these techniques. If the behavioral therapy doesn't work it is possible to try a variety of drugs to aid in sleeping better. These include benzodiazepines which can be used to ease symptoms temporarily and can also be used as an antidepressant and antianxiety medications.
4. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are defined by a preoccupation with the body's shape, weight and food choices, as well as eating habits like eating excessively, purging frequently, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, and compulsive exercise. A lot of people who suffer from an eating disorder also suffer from anxiety as do those who suffer from a mental illness that is co-occurring such as depression or bipolar disorder. Both conditions can lead to an unhealthy cycle where eating disorder symptoms are exacerbated by the person's mood issues.
There is a strong association between eating disorders and anxiety, with more anxiety-related symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. Anorexia nervosa sufferers tend to have higher levels of anxiety-related symptoms. The same holds true for bulimia, binge-eating disorders or the condition known as bulimia. In some instances, anxiety could be the main cause of an eating disorder. In other instances, it could be an additional sign of an eating disorder.
Researchers found that the presence of comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms was strongly associated with more severe eating disorders among young females. The team of researchers used an assessment of four items known as the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, which evaluates the symptoms of anxiety and depression. They also analyzed the extent of an eating disorder, and asked participants to rate their ability to cope with anxiety.
The researchers of the study also examined three factors that could help explain the connection between eating disorders and anxiety: perfectionism, self-esteem and mood dysregulation. These factors may have influenced the relationship between depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders however in different ways, depending on the subgroups. They hope that their findings will result in more specific and targeted treatment for eating disorders.
5. Anxiety-Related physical conditions
Most people have feelings of anxiety at some time, but it becomes an illness when it becomes severe and interferes with daily life. Some people might be experiencing physical symptoms, such as chest pain or stomach discomfort, depending on what kind of anxiety they're experiencing.
The right 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 very common type. CBT teaches you to recognize and change negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and anxiety. It also teaches you how to confront your fears and take small steps to overcome them.
Medication can also help. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and Valium can ease anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can also be prescribed. These drugs increase levels of certain brain chemicals that regulate mood and are able to be used in conjunction together with other treatments to treat anxiety disorders.
Medical conditions can cause anxiety and can exhibit the same symptoms as anxiety disorders. Head trauma, for example can cause anxiety and depression. Other conditions that can cause anxiety include chronic fatigue, pain as well as rheumatologic diseases such as Lupus, and a few nutritional deficiencies.
Certain circumstances make someone more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. Some are genetic, for example, a family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors, like sexual abuse in childhood, a history of depression or other mental health problems and the accumulation of stress over a long time, can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. If you suspect that you are suffering from anxiety, it is important to get an examination for physical health.