Anxiety
It
is natural to feel anxiety at times, and it can even be beneficial.
Anxiety can cause people to work harder or to focus more deeply on a
situation or task. It is the body’s natural coping mechanism;
however, in some cases, anxiety can lead to intense fear and can
negatively influence one’s daily life.
Around
40 million people who are 18 or older struggle with anxiety in the
United States. This type of anxiety should be distinguished from mild
anxiety that is induced by a stressful activity, such as giving a
speech. People who have a true problem with anxiety have ongoing,
consistent feelings of great stress for a minimum of 6 months.
What
are the five major types of anxiety disorder?
There
are five general subtypes of anxiety disorder, including:
-
Obsessive-compulsive
disorder
Panic
disorder
Post
traumatic stress disorder
Social
phobia (also known as social anxiety disorder)
What
is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
Although
it is normal to worry about common issues, such as financial
difficulties or personal relationships, people who suffer from
generalized anxiety disorder have an extreme amount of anxiety.
Sometimes, they worry so much that they cannot perform daily
procedures because they are so engulfed in the stress.
People
who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder:
Are
engulfed by their worries for an extended period of time (a minimum
of 6 months)
Are
unable to choose whether to worry or not
Are
aware that they are worrying excessively
-
Struggle
to maintain their focus
Are
very jumpy
May
have a difficult time sleeping
Some
of the physical characteristics of GAD include:
Usually,
people who struggle from generalized anxiety disorder begin having
symptoms that become more prominent over time. Both children and
adults can experience this disorder, and its strength may vary
depending upon the stress level of the individual.
It
can be difficult to diagnose general anxiety disorder because some of
the associated symptoms are also symptoms of other health issues.
Doctors may have to eliminate other disorders before coming to the
conclusion that the patient is suffering from GAD.
What
is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
OCD
is an anxiety disorder that is driven by obsessions and compulsions.
People suffering from this disorder experience stressful thoughts and
use compulsions to try to make the thoughts go away. Although the
compulsions provide temporary relief, they must be ritualized because
the anxiety comes back repeatedly. OCD rituals can really take over
the life of an individual. Some examples of rituals are excessive
hand-washing or checking.
What
is panic disorder?
Those
who suffer from panic disorder are plagued by unexpected anxiety
attacks. Some of the symptoms of a panic attack are:
People
who suffer from panic attacks may feel as if their situation is
helpless and that they are unable to change it. They are aware of the
physical symptoms associated with the disorder, and they can even
come to fear them. Since attacks occur randomly, some suffer because
they are afraid of the impending attack. The symptoms can make a
person feel like he or she is having a severe physical issue that
could even lead to death.
Generally,
panic attacks do not go on for longer than 10 minutes; however, it is
possible for them to continue after this time span. These attacks can
strike during both waking and sleeping hours.
Sometimes,
this disorder becomes so intense that sufferers steer away from
certain settings because they fear that they will experience the
symptoms of an attack. This is especially true if the person has
negative memories of a setting that they associate with previous
panic attacks. This can greatly interfere with daily life.
What
is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
People
who go through a traumatic experience can develop post-traumatic
stress disorder. It can develop regardless of whether the individual
was the one who physically suffered from the experience. The physical
harm to someone else as well as physical harm induced by the
individual could also trigger PTSD.
There
are three major groups of symptoms associated with post-traumatic
stress disorder:
Re-experiencing
symptoms:
Symptoms
that fall within this category can be literally debilitating. These
experiences can be triggered by outside forces or within the mind of
the individual by itself.
Avoidance
symptoms:
Avoiding
areas or things that are related to the trauma
A
sense of loss of all feelings
-
A
lack of desire to do things that were formally loved
Struggling
to maintain the memory of the traumatic experience
These
symptoms are often caused by things that make the person remember the
horrifying event. One example of avoidance caused by PTSD is an
individual who stops driving because he or she experienced a car
wreck.
Hyperarousal
symptoms:
If
these symptoms last for an extended period of time, the individual
should see a doctor to determine whether he or she is suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder. If they last for a short term, as in
around two weeks, they may be symptoms of acute stress disorder.
Furthermore, it is also important to note that the symptoms of PTSD
do not necessarily occur directly after the event and may surface
much, much later.
What
is social phobia (social anxiety disorder)?
This
disorder is classified by extreme anxiety and feelings of insecurity
in social environments. Individuals suffering from social anxiety
disorder may worry excessively about what others think of them and
become hyper aware of their own actions. They may feel humiliated at
the slightest social fluke.
People
suffering from this type of anxiety may feel it in all social
situations or solely under specific circumstances. For example, a
person might feel great stress when eating around others but
completely natural when engaging in other social activities.
Some
of the signs of social anxiety are:
These
symptoms make patients feel like they are being examined and judged
by other people in the social environment.
What are some common
specific phobias?
Some people who
suffer from anxiety suffer great stress from specific objects or
situations. Although these phobias are of things that can cause harm,
the individual worries about the phobia beyond that of normal fear.
Below is a list of popular phobias:
Phobias do not
follow logic or reason and my dissolve within specific environments.
Most people realize that their anxiety is unnecessary; however, they
are unable to get past it.
Can anxiety
disorders be treated?
Although doctors
have not yet found a cure to eliminate anxiety, there is hope for
people suffering from these disorders. Patients need to see a doctor
so that he or she can properly diagnose the symptoms. In some cases,
the patient may need to be sent to a specialist in mental or anxiety
disorders.
Certain medicines
are used to help ease the anxiety produced by these disorders.
Prescriptions must be written by a medical doctor in most parts of
the United States. Some of these medications need to be within the
individual’s system for several weeks in order to be effective.
The following
medications may be used to help patients with anxiety disorders as
well as other related health issues:
Antidepressives
-
Beta blockers
It is crucial for
pregnant or breastfeeding mothers to share this information with
their doctors. Anxiety medications can be dangers for women who are
pregnant because the medication can enter the uterus or be
transferred through breast milk. It is not safe for infants to
consume many of these medications.
On the other hand,
some SSRIs (a major category of medications used to treat anxiety or
depression), will not cause harm to infants. Speak to your doctor
before taking any of these medications (or stopping your intake of
medication). The benefits of breastfeeding can be outweighed by
potential negative effects from medication, so it is crucial to keep
your doctor informed.
Prior to beginning
treatment with medication, you should:
Discuss the
medicine and its potential side effects
Keep your doctor
informed about any other treatments you are using
Consult your doctor
before you stop taking your medicine, particularly because some
medicines require you to cut down your dosage over time.
Communicate with
your doctor to ensure that you are taking a suitable medication in a
suitable amount.
Know that it is
very important to take the medication as directed
In addition to
medicine, some physicians suggest that patients attend therapy
sessions with a trained professional. People who are suffering with
anxiety will need support from their friends and family, so it is
important to show that you care about what is going on with the
patient.
What can I do to
help myself if I have an anxiety disorder?
If you have an
anxiety disorder, you may find it helpful to speak to others about
your struggles. You could become a part of a support group, which is
a group of people who are all experiencing similar disorders. It can
also be helpful to speak to others on the Internet in chat rooms;
however, be careful about taking anything said to heart because
people often lie about themselves over the Internet. Only take advice
from a professional.
Friends and other
people within your community can also be practical assets for people
suffering from anxiety; however, people suffering from anxiety need
to seek medical attention in order to ensure proper treatment.
Exercise is also a coping method that helps fight against anxiety.
Activities such as drinking caffeine and taking illegal drugs have
been proven to only aggravate the symptoms. Some over-the-counter
medicines negatively affect people with anxiety disorders. A doctor
should be consulted before using these medications.
Where can I find
help for my anxiety disorder?
Mental health
professionals are great resources for people who need help managing
their anxiety. In addition to doctors, social workers, nurses, and
religious counselors may be able to steer you in the right direction
and help you to find a doctor. Universities sometimes offer clinics
that provide these types of services as well. If you do not know
where to call, you may want to try searing the Internet for places
near your home that offer psychiatric services or hotlines for people
in emergency situations.
People who fall into
the following categories are generally good people to talk to if you
are experiencing anxiety
Family doctors
Mental health
specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
or mental health counselors
Religious
leaders/counselors
Health maintenance
organizations
Community mental
health centers
Hospital psychiatry
departments and outpatient clinics
Universities or
medical schools
State hospital
outpatient clinics
Social service
agencies
Private clinics and
facilities
Employee assistance
programs
Local medical
and/or psychiatric societies
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