NABHS connects you with treatment options for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, generalized anxiety and more to equip better adjustment in life.
Anxiety has become an increasingly widespread mental health issue in recent years, affecting people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Research suggests that anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders worldwide and it affects 30% of adults at some point in their lives.
Many of the anxiety disorders develop in childhood and tend to persist if not treated. Most occur more frequently in females than in males (approximately 2:1 ratio).
Anxiety can have a range of adverse impacts on individuals, including physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and heart palpitations, as well as psychological symptoms such as worry, fear, and facing difficulty concentrating. Work productivity, social relationships, and overall quality of life can also be immensely affected due to anxiety disorder.
While anxiety can be a challenging condition to manage, with proper treatment, support, and care it is possible to overcome and improve the symptoms associated with anxiety disorder.
What Is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition known to have excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, and apprehension. It is a broad term that encompasses a range of specific anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Anxiety disorder can cause significant distress and interfere with an individual’s daily life, including work, and school, and can impact social interaction.
Types Of Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes different types of anxiety disorders. These include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): is defined by excessive and constant worry about little petty to everyday things.
- Panic Disorder: Having sudden and unexpected panic attacks, which are intense episodes of fear that can include physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): is characterized by an intense fear of being judged or evaluated by others in a social setting.
- Specific Phobia: Having an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Getting intrusive thoughts or having compulsive behaviors that are time-consuming and disrupt daily life.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): is marked by anxiety and other symptoms that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from a loved one or attachment figure.
- Selective Mutism: is shown by an inability to speak in certain social situations, despite being able to speak to others.
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
- Excessive worry: Constant and excessive worry over everyday things or events, often without any real cause or justification.
- Restlessness: Feeling restless or keyed up, difficulty relaxing, or a feeling of being on edge.
- Irritability: Feeling easily irritated, agitated, or impatient.
- Concentration problems: Having trouble focusing on tasks or remembering things.
- Muscle tension: Feeling muscle tension or experiencing muscle aches and pains.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired, even after getting enough sleep.
- Sleep disturbances: Facing insomnia or sleepless nights or experiencing restlessness.
- Panic attacks: Sudden and intense feelings of fear or discomfort, often followed by physical symptoms like racing heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.
- Avoidance: Avoiding situations or activities that may trigger anxiety or panic.
- Social withdrawal: Withdrawing from social encounters, avoiding social interactions, or feeling uncomfortable in social settings.
It’s important to note that anxiety disorder symptoms can vary widely from person to person and that experiencing some of the symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have an anxiety disorder.
What are the similarities between anxiety and perfectionism? Read here.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorder
- Medication: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms of anxiety. These medications may be used alone or in combination with therapy under medical supervision.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a kind of talk therapy that helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that fuel anxiety. This therapy can aid coping strategies to manage anxiety symptoms.
- Exposure therapy: This therapy involves gradually exposing you to feared situations or objects in a safe and controlled manner, helping you learn to manage anxiety in such situations.
- Exercise: Studies have shown that regular exercise has reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and acts as the first step to improving overall mood and well-being.
- Dietary and lifestyle changes: Eating a healthy diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, getting enough sleep, and practicing stress-management techniques can also help manage anxiety symptoms.
Do you know about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Treatment? Read more here!
