Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders

overview

Experiencing occasional anxiety attacks is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders often have intense, excessive, and persistent worries and fears in their daily lives. Typically, an anxiety disorder involves recurring episodes of intense anxiety and sudden feelings of dread or dread that 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 for a long time. You can avoid these feelings by avoiding certain places or situations. Symptoms can begin in childhood or adolescence and continue into adulthood.

Examples of anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder. You may have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety is caused by a medical condition that requires treatment.

No matter what form of anxiety you have, 

therapy can help.

symptom

Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:

feeling nervous, restless, or nervous

Feelings of imminent danger, panic, or doom

increased heart rate

shortness of breath (hyperventilation)

sweat

trembling

feeling weak or tired

Difficulty concentrating or thinking about anything other than current worries

hard to fall asleep

have gastrointestinal (GI) problems

difficulty controlling worry

An urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

There are different types of anxiety disorders:

Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is an anxiety disorder in which you are afraid and often avoid places or situations that might panic you and make you feel trapped, helpless or awkward .

Anxiety disorders caused by medical conditions include symptoms of intense anxiety or panic caused directly by a physical health problem.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive anxiety and worrying about activities or events—even ordinary, routine problems. Worry is out of proportion to the actual situation, difficult to control, and affects physical health. It often occurs at the same time as other anxiety disorders or depression.

Panic disorder involves recurring episodes of intense anxiety and sudden feelings of dread or dread that peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a racing, racing, or throbbing (palpitations) feeling in your heartThese panic attacks make you worry about them happening again or avoid situations where they happen again.

Selective mutism is the persistent inability of children to speak in certain situations, e.g. B. at school, even though they can speak in other situations, e.g. B. at home with close family members. This can interfere with school, work, and social functioning

Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by anxiety that is excessive for the child's developmental level and is associated with separation from parents or others with parental roles

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves heightened fear, anxiety, and avoidance of social situations due to embarrassment, feelings of self-esteem, and fear of being judged or viewed negatively by others

Specific phobias are characterized by an intense fear when exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it. Phobias can trigger panic attacks in some people.....

Substance-induced anxiety disorders are characterized by symptoms of intense fear or panic that are a direct result of substance abuse, substance use, exposure to toxic substances, or withdrawal.

Other Specified Anxiety Disorders and Unspecified Anxiety Disorders are terms for fears or phobias that do not meet the exact criteria for other anxiety disorders but are sufficiently distressing and disruptive.

when to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

You feel like you worry too much and it is affecting your work, relationships or other areas of your life

Your fears, worries or worries are troubling and out of control

You are depressed, have alcohol or drug problems, or other mental health problems and anxiety

You think your anxiety may be related to a physical health problem