In this extremely chaotic & busy lifestyle, feeling anxious has become a common health problem worldwide. Anxiety could range from mild stress to severe panic attacks. It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes; however, if anxiety has become your new best friend, it’s time to seek proper treatment of anxiety disorder.
Anxiety appears to be a mental health condition where an individual could feel extremely nervous & scared all the time, thinking about what is next. It is a common emotional state of mind where you keep feeling uneasy and nervous. This could occur due to different reasons, maybe because of an unstable personal life or stressful work culture.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
There are various kinds of anxiety attacks, and every one of them requires them to be tackled differently as their causes, symptoms, and even treatment are different. A few major types of anxiety attacks are mentioned below:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A severe and problematic condition where one keeps on feeling worried. There is a constant fear that is recurring. Anyone suffering from generalized anxiety disorder keeps on overthinking about daily life stress such as job-related issues, health, or even everyday chores and arrangements.
- Selective Mutism: This condition generally happens when you stop communicating.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: This basically happens due to the severe and intense stress of being misjudged negatively.
- Panic Disorder: As the name suggests, this is a condition where an individual experiences unexpected panic attacks.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: This is one of the most common anxiety attacks that individuals face because of fear of being separated from their loved ones, maybe children, spouse, parents, friends, or family.
- Phobias: This usually occurs due to irrational fear of any situation or object.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Physical Symptoms
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of breath & Trembling
Emotional Symptoms
- Panic & stress
- Difficulty in concentration
- Irritation & Restlessness
Behavioral Symptoms
- Situations that might trigger anxiety
- Insomnia
- Feeling nervous (biting nails, palpation)
Causes of Anxiety Disorder
It is immensely important to dive deep and find out about anxiety medication, but before that, it is extremely vital to explore its causes too.
- Genetics: One of the major reasons could be biological, & so genetics plays a vital role. If anyone in your family bloodline has suffered or is suffering from anxiety, there is a high possibility of facing a mental health disorder.
- Imbalance in the Brain: The amygdala, a part of the brain, plays a vital role in managing and balancing fear and anxiety.
- Environmental Factors: Overstressing could ultimately lead to a change in the balance of neurotransmitters, which eventually control your mood. Anyone who is stressed over a longer period of time might face a severe anxiety disorder.
- Trauma or Abuse Triggers: If you have experienced any traumatic event in the past, that could also trigger anxiety disorders. Any childhood abuse or physical, emotional, or psychological trauma could also result in severe anxiety.
- Medical Conditions: Long-term problems like any heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid could also result in anxiety risk.
- Substance Abuse: Any kind of substance usage like alcohol or drugs might trigger anxiety or depression.
Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorder
If anyone around you is witnessing an anxiety attack, seeking reliable and genuine healthcare support should be the priority. The entire diagnosis procedure includes:
- Physical Examination: A complete medical assessment to keep a check on the developments.
- Evaluating Psychologically: Complete understanding and detailed discussions with professionals to keep a keen check on the emotional and behavioral patterns.
- Resolving Questionnaire: To measure the intensity of anxiety level, one must try to get involved in standardized tests like generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7).
- A Check on Medical History: Developing a proper understanding of the patient’s medical condition and prior history to learn more about their trigger points.
- DSM-5 Criteria: Renowned mental health professionals use the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, such as DSM-5, to confirm the diagnosis depending on the duration and symptoms.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorder
| Medication | Therapy | Lifestyle Change |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-Blockers | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Exercise regularly |
| Antidepressants | Exposure Therapy | Perform Mindfulness and meditation |
| Anti-anxiety medication | Counseling | Adequate sleep & healthy diet |
Prevention of Anxiety Disorder
While not all anxiety disorders can be prevented, adopting certain lifestyle habits can reduce the risk.
- Techniques to curtail and manage stress
- Any physical activity daily
- Dodging caffeine and alcohol
- Asking help from friends and family
- Practicing various relaxation techniques
Conclusion
Anxiety is a severe mental health condition but could be treated and cured. With the correct set of medications and therapy, one could cure anxiety.
