10 Things You've Learned In Kindergarden To Help You Get Started With Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times - it's an inherent part of being human. However, when these feelings are persistent and interfere with the daily routine, you could have an anxiety disorder.
A healthcare professional can help you in locating a solution that is compatible with your symptoms. This may include psychotherapy, antianxiety medications or natural remedies like exercise, a healthy diet and sleep.
1. Worry and Fear
Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times. It's part of the body's "fight or flight" response to danger. If the fear or anxiety is intense and doesn't disappear or interferes with your daily routine, then you may have anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a conversation with you, a physical examination as well as urine or blood tests, and inquiries regarding your past health. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires to aid your doctor in determining if you have an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary according to the type. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, like, worry excessively and irrationally about everyday events even though there is no threat to their lives. They also have trouble relaxing or falling to sleep. Other signs include a rapid or fast heart (heart pounding) as well as trembling and sweating. People suffering from panic disorder experience repeated moments of intense feelings of terror or fear that rise to the point of exhaustion in a matter of minutes, and they have difficulties controlling their emotions. They stay clear of certain areas and activities to avoid attacks.
People who have phobias are afraid of certain things like snakes or flying. They might have other symptoms, too, such as difficulty breathing or a headache. People with PTSD have anxiety when they witness or experience traumatizing events such as a war or car crash. They may experience other symptoms, too, including flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatic event.
Other anxiety disorders include the ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder) as well as hoarding disorder and social anxiety disorder. These disorders cause you to feel anxious when in social situations. There's also anxiety over an individual health issue, known as illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria). Stress and a chemical imbalance may also trigger anxiety. Some medicines can cause anxiety as a side effect.
2. Panic Attacks
Individuals with anxiety disorders experience recurring feelings of extreme anxiety and fear that are insignificant to their circumstances. These feelings can cause severe physical reactions like an intense pulse, a breathlessness and nausea. It is also possible to feel disconnected or unreal.
While anyone can suffer from a panic disorder, it's more common to experience it in adolescence, childhood or in early adulthood. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including severe or prolonged stress that creates an imbalance in the chemical system of your nervous system and brain. Trauma, especially in 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 scared, such as being in an entire group. They are different from normal anxiety symptoms because they have more intense symptoms, and are often unexpected. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also experience a mix of expected and unanticipated panic attacks.
The use of medication and talking therapies are the most popular treatments for panic attacks and anxiety. Talking therapies can help you learn to manage your fears and overcome unfounded beliefs that cause anxiety. They can also help you learn to relax by doing exercises like deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications -- especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help make your anxiety and panic less intense.
If you're experiencing a regular panic attack, it's crucial to see your doctor and get treatment immediately. Your doctor can look for other medical illnesses that share similar symptoms, and may recommend alternative treatments.
3. Insomnia
People who are anxious could be unable to fall asleep or staying asleep. This is referred to as insomnia. This can happen for a short time or it can last a long time. Insomnia can make it difficult to make it through the day, and can cause serious health problems. It is more common among women than men and is more prevalent among older adults. It is also more prevalent for those suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Sleepiness can be caused by a variety of different factors. Sleep can be affected by a variety of temporary illnesses such as headaches or colds or chronic illnesses like acid reflux, Parkinson's disease or arthritis and medicines. Stressful life situations could also be the cause. About half of the people who have chronic insomnia also suffer from mental health issues which is usually depression or anxiety.
The first thing a doctor will do is to look for physical causes for the problem. They will review your medical history and ask about the symptoms that are making it difficult to sleep. They will also ask if you are taking any medication that may be affecting your sleep. They may also perform an examination of your sleep to check your breathing and heart rate during the night.
The most effective treatment of insomnia is behavioral therapy. It helps you to change the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also teaches you ways to unwind before bed. There are a myriad of methods to aid in relaxation, such as progressive muscle relaxation meditation, biofeedback, and biofeedback. The doctor can assist you to find a therapist who can teach you these techniques. If you do not respond to behavioral therapies there are many medications that can help you get better sleep. They include benzodiazepines, that are employed for short-term relief of symptoms and antidepressant or antianxiety medications.
4. Eating Disorders
The most common symptoms of eating disorders are obsessions with body shape, weight and food, as well eating habits such as restrictive eating, binge eating, purging (through vomiting or laxative misuse) and compulsive exercise. A lot of people who suffer from an eating disorder also suffer from anxiety and have a co-occurring mental illness like bipolar or depression disorder. Both conditions can lead to an unhealthy cycle where eating disorder symptoms are made worse by the person's mood disorders.
There is a strong connection between anxiety and eating disorders as more anxiety-related symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. Anorexia nervosa patients tend to have high levels of anxiety symptoms. The same is true for binge-eating disorders, bulimia, or the condition known as bulimia. In some cases anxiety can be the direct reason behind an eating disorder. In certain cases anxiety can be a indication of an eating disorder.
Researchers discovered that the presence of anxiety and depression comorbid symptoms was significantly associated with more severe eating disorders among young females. The team of researchers used the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) as a four-item measure of the core anxiety and depression symptoms. They also assessed the severity of an individual's eating disorder and asked participants to rate their coping strategies for anxiety.
The authors also looked at three variables that could aid in understanding the relationship between anxiety and eating disorders: self-esteem, perfectionism and mood dysregulation. They found that these three factors affected the relationship between depression and anxiety symptoms and eating disorder symptomatology, and that they did this in different ways for different subgroups of the sample. They hope that their findings will enable more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders.
5. Physical conditions that are a result of anxiety
A majority of people have anxiety at some time in their lives, but it could turn into an illness if it's severe and interferes with daily activities. Certain people may be experiencing physical symptoms, such as chest pain or stomach discomfort in relation to the 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. The most popular type is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you recognize and alter negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and anxiety. It also teaches you how to face your fears and take small steps to overcome them.
It is also possible to get medication. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and Valium can ease anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs can also be prescribed. These drugs increase levels of certain brain chemicals that control mood and can be used on their own or together with other treatments to treat anxiety disorders.
Medical conditions can cause anxiety and may cause the same physical symptoms as an anxiety disorder. For I Am Psychiatry , head trauma can trigger anxiety and depression. Other conditions that can trigger anxiety include chronic pain, fatigue disorders as well as rheumatologic diseases like Lupus, and some nutritional deficiencies.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. Some are genetic, like the family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors, such as the abuse of children or the presence of depression or other mental health issues and the accumulation of stress over a long time, may increase the risk of suffering from anxiety disorders. If you suspect that you suffer from anxiety it is crucial to get a physical exam.