Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms include stress that's out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry, and restlessness.
Treatment includes counseling or medications, including antidepressants.
Very common
More than 3 million cases per year in US
Treatment from medical professional advised
Usually self-diagnosable
Doesn't require lab test or imaging
More common in females
Can last several years or be lifelong
Emergency room visit recommended in severe cases
Family history may increase likelihood
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.
Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help.
Each faces anxiety at some point in time in life, for example, during an examination or an interview. This lasts for a limited period. It is classified as an anxiety disorder when the symptoms are reoccurrent and last for longer time. Symptoms such as
- A sudden feeling of panic and fear
- Restlessness
- Uneasiness, nausea, or cramps
- Sleep-related problems – excessive sleep or sleeplessness
- Cold or sweaty hands or feet
- Numbness in the hands or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Dry mouth
- Hot flashes or chills
- Sudden trembling
- Dizziness
The exact reason is not known. It could be the result of a combination of factors including:
- Changes in brain chemicals and its functioning
- Environmental stress
- Changes in genes
- Family history
- Traumatic life events such as an accident, divorce, death of a loved one, etc
- Other medical conditions including heart problems, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Talk to your family and friends, and share the responsibilities
- Try and make each day relaxing and fun
- Keep yourself in good health
- Exercise regularly
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Get enough sleep
- Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
- Mental disorders such as depression
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Problems in digestion or bowel movements
- Severe headache
- Chronic pain
- Social isolation, including problems at work or school and at home
- Difficulty in maintaining relationships
- Poor quality of life
- Suicide, in severe cases
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