Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
It's normal for people to experience anxiety and apprehension from time to moment. If these feelings persist and are affecting your daily life, you might be suffering from anxiety disorder.
A medical professional can assist you in finding an appropriate treatment that matches your needs. This may include psychotherapy or antianxiety medication, as well as natural remedies such as exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep.
1. Worry and Fear
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear 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 is interfering with your daily routine and activities, then you could be suffering from anxiety disorder. Your doctor can identify anxiety disorders by having a discussion with you, a physical exam and urine or blood tests, and inquiries about your past health. You might be asked to complete questionnaires to aid your doctor in determining if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder , for example are constantly worried and irrationally about everyday events even though there is no threat to their lives. They also have trouble relaxing or falling asleep. Other signs include a fast or fast heart (heart pounding) as well as trembling and sweating. People with panic disorder have regular moments of intense feelings of terror or fear that rise to a peak within minutes, and they have difficulties controlling their emotions. They are advised to avoid certain activities and places to avoid attacks.
People who suffer from phobias have extreme fears of certain things, like snakes or flying. Other symptoms could include headaches, or difficulty breathing. People suffering from PTSD are anxious after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event such as a car accident or war. They may experience other symptoms, too, including flashbacks and nightmares of the traumatizing incident.
Other types of anxiety disorders include ocd hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which makes you feel anxious when you are in social situations. You can also experience anxiety due to a specific health issue, which is called illness anxiety disorder. Other causes of anxiety include stress and a chemical imbalance in your brain. Some medicines can cause anxiety as a result of a side effect.
2. Panic Attacks
While everyone feels anxious or scared at some point, people who suffer from anxiety disorders experience frequent feelings of extreme fear and panic that are in contrast to their personal circumstances. These feelings can trigger intense physical reactions, including an increased heart rate as well as a shortness of breath and nausea. They may also make you feel unreal or detached from reality.
While anyone can suffer from a panic disorder but it's more common to develop it in childhood, adolescence or in early adulthood. Many factors can trigger it, including chronic or extreme stress that creates chemical imbalances in your brain and nervous system. Trauma, especially in teenage or adolescence, can increase the chances of developing anxiety disorders.
Panic attacks can happen for no apparent reason or as a result of a specific circumstance that makes you feel anxious for example, being in a large crowd. They differ from normal anxiety symptoms because they are more intense and are often unavoidable. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also experience a mix of panic attacks that are unanticipated and anticipated attacks.
The most popular treatments for anxiety and panic attacks include medication and talk therapy. Talking therapies can help you learn to manage your fears and overcome the irrational beliefs that fuel your anxiety. They can teach relaxation techniques, like deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications -- especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help to make anxiety and panic less severe.
It's important that you see your physician immediately if suffer from frequent panic attacks. Your doctor can check for any other health illnesses that share similar symptoms, and may recommend alternative treatments.
3. Insomnia
People who are anxious might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This is referred to as insomnia. This can be a short-term issue or a long-term. Insomnia can make it hard to make it through the day and may cause serious health problems. It is more prevalent among older adults and affects more women than men. It is also more prevalent in those with psychiatric issues.
Sleepiness can be caused by a myriad of different factors. Sleep is affected by temporary illnesses like colds or headaches and chronic conditions like acid reflux, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and medicines. Stressful life situations can also trigger it. Around half of people who have chronic insomnia also have a mental health condition that is most often anxiety or depression.
A doctor will first investigate physical causes. They will check your medical history and ask about the symptoms making it harder to sleep. They will also inquire if you are taking any medication that might affect your sleep. They could also conduct a sleep study to monitor your breathing and heart rate at night.
The most effective treatment of insomnia is to use behavioral therapy. It helps you change the negative thinking patterns that keep you awake. It also teaches you ways to unwind before going to bed. There are a variety of methods to do this, like biofeedback, progressive relaxation and meditation. Your doctor can help find a therapist who can teach you the techniques. If you do not respond to behavioural therapies There are a variety of medications that can help you to sleep better. They include benzodiazepines, which are used to treat symptoms for a short period of time as well as antidepressant or antianxiety medications.
4. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are defined by anxiety about the body's shape, weight and food, as well as eating habits like binge eating, purging, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, and compulsive exercise. Many people who suffer from an eating disorder suffer from anxiety. The same is the case for those who suffer from mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder. The two conditions can result in an unhealthy cycle where eating disorder symptoms are further aggravated by the person's mood issues.
There is a strong connection between anxiety and eating disorders and eating disorders, with higher levels of anxiety symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. Patients with anorexia nervosa are more likely to suffer from high levels of anxiety symptoms. The same is true for bulimia, binge-eating disorders, or the condition known as bulimia. In some instances, anxiety could be the direct reason behind an eating disorder. In other instances, it could be a secondary symptom of an eating disorder.
In one study, researchers discovered that depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly related to more severe symptomatology of eating disorders in young females. The research team used a four-item scale known as the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, which assesses anxiety and depression symptoms. They also analyzed the severity of an eating disorder, and asked participants to rate their ability to manage anxiety.
The authors of the study also examined three variables that could aid in understanding the relationship between eating disorders and anxiety: self-esteem, perfectionism and mood dysregulation. These factors influenced the relationship between depression and anxiety as well as eating disorder symptoms, but in different ways, depending on the subgroups. They hope that their findings will allow them to develop more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders.
5. Anxiety-Related physical conditions
A majority of people suffer from anxiety at some time in their lives, but it can become a disorder if it is severe and causes problems in with daily activities. Some people might also experience physical symptoms like chest pain or stomach discomfort in relation to the type of anxiety they are experiencing.
Finding the best treatment for anxiety disorders can help people feel better and live happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular type. CBT is a method of helping you identify and change negative thoughts which can trigger anxiety and fear. It also helps you confront the fears that make you anxious and conquer your fears in small steps.
The use of medication can be beneficial. Benzodiazepines like diazepam or Valium can help ease anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants can also be prescribed. These drugs can be used to treat anxiety disorders alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
Medical conditions can cause anxiety and sometimes have the same physical symptoms as those of an anxiety disorder. Head trauma, for instance can trigger anxiety and depression. Other conditions that can trigger anxiety include chronic fatigue and chronic pain and rheumatologic conditions like lupus and some nutritional deficiencies, like iron deficiency.
Certain factors increase the chance of developing anxiety disorders. These are referred to as risk factors. Some risk factors are genetic, for example, an ancestral history of anxiety or disorders. Other factors like childhood abuse, depression or other mental disorders, as well as the accumulation of stress over time can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. If you suspect you have anxiety issues it is essential to have an examination for physical health.