Just like physical health disorders mental health disorders can also significantly affect the quality of life. Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the present world. Being anxious about your education, finances, and career, is something, that can help boost your energy to focus on the task. But when this anxiousness overwhelms you it can become a severe mental disorder that has a very alarming impact on one’s financial and personal life.
Common symptoms of anxiety disorder
Symptoms of anxiety vary with the severity and condition of the patient. It greatly impacts emotional, physical, behavioral, and cognitive functions.
Physical symptoms:
Physical symptoms of anxiety include dizziness or lightheadedness, discomfort or stomachache, nausea, headache, fatigue, increased sweating and heart rate, insomnia, feeling weak and tired, feeling loneliness and detachment from oneself, trembling, and hyperventilation. If more than four of these symptoms occur at a time an individual might have uncomfortable panic attacks but not life threatening.
Emotional symptoms:
Anxiety is an emotion. The emotional symptoms of anxiety include persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, fear, panic, and overwhelmed feelings. A constant feeling of restlessness and irritability is also a common emotional symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.
Cognitive symptoms:
People who struggle with anxiety know how exhausting it can be. The common cognitive symptoms of anxiety include racing thoughts, rumination, catastrophizing, worry, restlessness, and uncontrolled intrusive thoughts.
Different types of anxiety.
If the flight and fight stress response remains engaged all the time it activates the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, that causes anxiety. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnosis and DSM5, there are several types of anxiety disorders which include:
Generalized anxiety disorder:
GAD is a chronic condition characterized by an overwhelmed feeling of worry about everyday things. It is a long-term condition that can create unrealistic and frequent concerns about jobs or responsibilities. GAD can dominate a person’s life because it is more than just feeling anxious. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control anxiety and may experience several physical and emotional symptoms that are mentioned above.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense fear or worry about getting entrapped in a situation from where escape is impossible. Patients of agoraphobia avoid unfamiliar, crowded, and closed places. They avoid situations where they fear they might get entrapped or feel helpless.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is characterized by excessive fear of being judged or humiliated in society. This overwhelmingly disturbs an individual’s social life. Such individuals avoid social gatherings, meetings, parties, or any situations where they have to interact with other people.
Selective mutism
This is an anxiety disorder common in young children where a child does not talk in certain situations despite being able to speak in others. This is associated with social anxiety. The child may become unable to interact with other people in school and social gatherings. Selective mutism can also affect adults.
Post-traumatic stress disorder:
PTSD is one of the mental disorders that develops in individuals who experience or witness a traumatic event. Such patients show intense physical and emotional symptoms. With proper treatment and counseling, PTSD symptoms can be reduced. It is important to remember that not everyone that experiences trauma develops PTSD.
What causes anxiety disorders?
Like other mental health problems, there is no exact known cause of anxiety but several biological, psychological, and environmental factors can contribute to developing an anxiety disorder.
Chemical imbalances
Norepinephrine, Serotonin, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and Dopamine are some neurotransmitters whose imbalance may trigger anxiety disorders. These hormones regulate stress responses. If overproduction of these hormones occurs this can significantly contribute to mental health problems. Imbalances of these hormones activate the brain’s fear centers leading to an overreacting response.
Brain functions and changes:
The amygdala is a part of the brain that plays a role in managing fear. Due to changes in the brain, the amygdala becomes sensitive causing over-reactive fear responses. According to recent studies, individuals with anxiety disorders present increased amygdala activity in response to anxiety fears.
Family history:
Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. So hereditary and genetics may play a role in it. People who have close relatives with anxiety disorders are more prone to developing anxiety disorders themselves. They can be inherited from parents to offspring.
Environmental factors
Traumatic life experiences and long-lasting stress can cause an imbalance of neurotransmitters that control mood and emotions. The abusive and overprotective environment especially during childhood leaves severe trauma on children’s minds potentially leading to several anxiety disorders. Major life changes like job issues and divorce etc are also the leading cause of anxiety for individuals who are more vulnerable to stress.
Medical conditions
Several medical problems like heart disease, and hypertension can lead to anxiety. The use of certain medications and drug abuse can cause hormonal imbalances which can worsen pre-existing symptoms of anxiety.
Management and treatment:
Anxiety disorders can be treated but shouldn’t be underestimated. They need psychotherapy and medication. If you have symptoms, consult a mental health professional promptly.
Psychological interventions
Psychotherapy is key for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy helps individuals manage stress and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective method, done individually or in groups, in person or online. When you are struggling especially if symptoms overlap with conditions like high functioning depression immediately consult professionals, because managing anxiety on your own can be challenging and you may feel a lot of discomfort and unease.
Medication
Medication has an important role to play in anxiety disorders that are causing severe symptoms as opposed to just mild to moderate symptoms. Medications like antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, and Beta-blockers can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Conclusion
Anxiety is one of the leading mental health issues nowadays. It can create complex challenges in dealing with daily activities. You should not live with consistent fear and worry. Make sure to consult your health professionals immediately if you feel any of the above symptoms. Both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are important.