All You Need to Know About Anxiety Disorders
Table of Contents
Each one of us faces anxiety almost every day. Normal disruptions, delays, problems at work, unexpected or irritating things, strife, and concerns about the future might lead to occasional panic attacks.
What Is An Anxiety Disorder?
Students face it before taking a test or appearing for exams. It is also common before and during an interview. However, once this “phase” is over, the anxiety or worry also fades away.
Anxiety disorders will not go away or deteriorate over time. The most important thing about an anxiety disorder is that it starts interfering with daily activities and prevents you from doing well at your regular job, study, and also from maintaining relationships.
There can be different types of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, and other phobia related disorders.
Symptoms
A person suffering from an anxiety disorder may experience common anxiety signs such as sweating, trembling, feeling nervous or tense, feeling restless, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling or a sense of some impending catastrophe.
It may also lead to some physical symptoms such as insomnia, feeling of tiredness or exhaustion, inability to focus, and gastrointestinal problems. The patient may also find it difficult to not worry or bring it under control. He might also feel an urge to avoid things or situations that can lead to anxiety.
Medical Causes
Sometimes, underlying health issues may also be responsible for anxiety disorders. A doctor will advise you to go for a complete health checkup to determine if it is because of a medical illness.
Some of the physical illnesses that can be linked to anxiety are as follows:
- Drug abuse or withdrawal symptoms
- Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or other anti-anxiety drugs
- Chronic pain
- Coronary disease
- Thyroid issues such as hypothyroid or hyperthyroid
- Diabetes
- Illnesses related to respiratory systems such as asthma
The above medical conditions can cause anxiety disorders if you don't have a medical history of anxiety as a child or in the family.
If you don't have the tendency to avoid things or situations leading to anxiety, it can be inferred that your anxiety might be because of a medical condition.
Risk Factors
There are certain factors that might aggravate anxiety disorder in adults. If an individual has faced trauma in his life at any point of time, especially during childhood, he is at a higher risk of suffering from anxiety disorder during adulthood.
Children who suffer abuse, neglect, and divorce of parents; and those who have experienced violence or trauma are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder later on.
If you consistently face minor stressful life situations, it may also lead to full-blown anxiety. So, financial issues, bad relationships, bad marriage, work-related stress, or a death in the family can trigger full-fledged anxiety.
Apart from illnesses, mental health disorders such as depression, and drug and alcohol abuse may also be behind an anxiety disorder. A family history of anxiety is also a likely reason.
How To Prevent Anxiety?
If you visit a psychiatrist, he may suggest going through some counselling sessions. He may also prescribe some medications to make you feel better.
Here are certain proven ways that can help you reduce its impact.
- Wake up early
Be proactive and start your day early. Don't wait or delay treatment. Start your day with a brief session of meditation followed by physical exercises such as a morning walk, jogging, and or aerobics. - Stay active and keep yourself happy
Go for the activities that make you feel happy. Enjoy your present and be thankful for everything you have in life. - Avoid drugs, alcohol and cigarettes
Alcohol, drugs, and or cigarettes are never a cure for anxiety. Rather, these things may even aggravate the symptoms further.
Book an appointment with an online psychiatrist and take the first step to treat your anxiety disorder.
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