What Is Anxiety Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 19.1% of adults in the United States are living with an anxiety disorder. We all get anxious occasionally. When we are faced with situations that we feel make us powerless, we may panic and become anxious. Anxiety is normal for anyone to experience.
You may remember that you have an exam tomorrow, which you’re not prepared for, or you must make a choice in a difficult situation. Such experiences naturally bring anxiety. It’s our brain’s way of saying that trouble is around the corner. Of course, our instinct will be to fight off such situations or seek ways to deal with the challenge.
But when a person experiences anxiety attacks way too often, so much so that it affects their ability to live everyday lives, they may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. In this article, we’ll discuss the types of anxiety disorders, the risk factors that trigger them, and how to avoid getting caught in a continuous cycle of anxiety attacks.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where there’s a lot of people or where it might be difficult to get away if something happens. People with this kind of disorder will naturally avoid triggers such as large public gatherings, crowds, and so on.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) happens when a person experiences distressing, intrusive thoughts, which they try to manage with repetitive behaviors such as washing one’s hand over and over again for fear of catching an infection. The compulsive behavior is their way of coping with the situation and getting temporary relief until they are safer.
Social Anxiety Disorder
This happens when someone feels too much worry and self-consciousness about the circumstances around him. For instance, it could be in the form of excessively worrying about what others think about you all the time.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is when you worry over seemingly less important things throughout the day, every day. The cause of GAD may sometimes be hard to pinpoint. People with GAD may have serious trouble getting any sleep.
Phobias
This refers to various kinds of fear, including agoraphobia. Many people suffer from numerous types of phobia. Some are easy to deal with, while so many others are not, as they disrupt a person’s ability to live a normal life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Many people develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after they experience a traumatic situation. For example, PTSD may develop after sexual assault, natural disaster, combat, or an accident. The symptoms range from slight, easily manageable symptoms to others, which stay for a long time.
Selective Mutism
This is a rare condition in which a person carefully avoids speaking in public, even though they can. They are often too shy and are afraid of being embarrassed in public.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a disorder that’s common in children. However, adults experience it too. People living with separation anxiety are generally afraid of losing or staying away from people that are close to them. They can also get overly protective.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Typically, people who suffer from anxiety disorder have anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks. Anxiety attack comes with a sudden burst of intense panic and symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. An anxiety or panic attack lasts for at least 5 minutes and can stretch for as long as 30 minutes.
The main symptoms of anxiety disorder are excessive worry and fear. The patients may be unable to concentrate, socialize, sleep well, stay still, or even breathe properly. But symptoms largely depend on the specific type of anxiety disorder. Other common symptoms include:
- Fear and panic
- Constant feelings of danger
- Problem sleeping
- Fidgeting, uneasiness
- Cold, sweaty, and numb hands or feet
- Shortness of breath
- hyperventilation
- Heart palpitations
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Tense muscles
- Dizziness
- Overthinking a problem
- Inability to concentrate
- Serious avoidance of people, places, and objects perceived as triggers.
Causes of Anxiety Disorder
- Genetics: this means that the condition can be inherited and passed down to the next generation.
- Brain chemistry: Some researchers believe that anxiety disorders may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain, leading to uncontrolled fear and emotions.
- Environmental: Stressful environment and events surrounding where a person lives or had lived, may cause anxiety disorder. This could arise from childhood abuse or neglect, a natural disaster, or losing a loved one.
- Health conditions: lung, thyroid, and certain heart-related conditions can cause symptoms like anxiety disorders or make the symptoms worse.
Coping Techniques and How to Avoid Triggers of Anxiety Disorder
Below are treatment methods and techniques that can help people living with anxiety disorders to live a healthy, normal life.
Treatment
Treatment can vary depending on the type and severity of the symptoms.
Psychotherapy
This involves the use of talk therapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help the patient talk about and understand the things affecting their lives and how to deal with those challenges.
Medications
Medications commonly include the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication to reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorder. This method is usually recommended for people who have severe symptoms.
Management
While it’s okay to subscribe to management techniques, such as avoidance of situations that trigger an anxiety attack, it is best to seek the advice of a health or medical professional. Below are some coping and management techniques for preventing anxiety attacks and keeping the symptoms abated.
- Joining a support group
- Joining a spiritual group
- Relaxation techniques such as meditation and spending time with nature
- Getting enough exercise and eating healthy foods
- Reducing caffeine intake
Conclusion
Anxiety disorder can significantly affect how a person lives and relates to others. The constant feeling of panic, fear, and worry can hamper a productive life. However, speaking with a doctor or a psychologist is the first step to getting better. And with consistent care and support, patients can enjoy a vibrant life.
