Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a normal response to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can warn us of dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders are different from normal feelings of irritability or anxiety and involve extreme fear or worry. Anxiety disorders are the most common of the mental disorders, affecting about 30% of adults at some point in their lives.

Anxiety refers to the expectation of a future worry and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behavior.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Job performance, schoolwork, and personal relationships may be affected. There are several anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

In general, for a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, they must have the following emotional and physical symptoms:

Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder:

-Don't be worried

-Do not focus on the bad

-Feeling tense

-Don't be angry

-Unrest

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder:

-Sweating

- Palpitations in the heart

- Feeling dizzy

-Difficulty in breathing

-Tension in the muscles

-Headache

-Weakness

-Insomnia

Alternative Treatment Methods

The first step is to see your doctor to make sure there is no physical problem causing the symptoms. If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a mental health professional can work with you to find the best treatment. Unfortunately, many people with anxiety disorders do not seek help. They don't realize they have a disease with effective treatments.

Although each anxiety disorder has its own characteristics, most respond well to two types of treatment: psychotherapy or "talk therapy" and medications. These treatments can be given alone or in combination. Cognitive behavior therapy, a type of talk therapy, can help a person learn a different way of thinking, reacting, and behaving to help them feel less anxious. Medications do not cure anxiety disorders, but they can provide significant relief from symptoms. The most commonly used medications are anti-anxiety medications (often only prescribed for a short period of time) and antidepressants.

Self-Help, Coping and Managing Anxiety

There are many things people do to help them cope with the symptoms of anxiety disorders and to make treatment more effective. Stress management techniques and meditation can help. Support groups (face-to-face or online) can provide an opportunity to share experiences and coping strategies. Learning more about the characteristics of a disorder and helping family and friends better understand the condition can also help. It is important to avoid caffeine, which can worsen symptoms.