A Layman’s Guide to Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder, and they can have a profound effect on your life.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you may feel constant fear and worry, have difficulty concentrating, and feel like you’re in danger even when there’s no real threat.

This can make it hard to go to work or school, to socialise with friends and to live a normal, happy life.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and each one requires different treatment.

Common symptoms include racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath and feeling like you’re going to faint or die.

Anxiety disorders can be debilitating, making it difficult to function in everyday life.

There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, including general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.

While there is no complete cure for anxiety disorders, they can be effectively treated with therapy, medication or a combination of the two.

However, there are some general things that you can do to help manage your anxiety, such as exercise, relaxation techniques and therapy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional so that you can get the treatment you need.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

There are a number of different anxiety disorders, and each one has its own symptoms. However, there are some common symptoms that are seen in most anxiety disorders.

These include:

• Having a sense of impending danger or doom
• Feeling tense or nervous
• Excessive worry or fear
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Feeling constantly on edge
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations

Notwithstanding these symptoms, please note that anxiety disorders are treatable and there is no reason to suffer in silence.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but they all have one thing in common: They cause extreme stress and worry.

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Panic disorder
• Social phobia
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterised by excessive worrying about everyday things. It often begins with worries about work, school, family, finances, health or relationships. People who suffer from GAD tend to feel overwhelmed by these thoughts and feelings, and they may also have trouble sleeping.

Social Phobia

Social phobia is an intense fear of social situations. This type of anxiety disorder makes people avoid places where they might run into other people, such as parties, restaurants, stores and even classrooms. People with social phobia may also avoid talking to others because they feel so anxious.

Panic Disorder

If you suffer from panic attacks, you may think that you’re having a heart attack. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded, short of breath, sweaty, shaky and nervous. These symptoms are caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline that occurs when you have a panic attack.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by unwanted thoughts and behaviours that interfere with daily life. People who suffer from OCD often try to avoid situations that trigger these thoughts and behaviours. This avoidance leads to more anxiety and makes the situation worse.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs after exposure to a traumatic incident. It is also known as “shell shock” because it was first described in World War I soldiers. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of detachment from others.

Causes

It is important to remember that there is not one single cause of anxiety disorders. Rather, it is a combination of factors that can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder.

For example, someone who has a family history of anxiety may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder themselves.

Additionally, people who have experienced traumatic events or who live in a high-stress environment are also more susceptible to developing an anxiety disorder.

Some of the most common causes include genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.

• Genetics: Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, so it is believed that genetics play a role in their development
• Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in the brain chemicals serotonin and GABA have been linked to anxiety disorders
• Life Experiences: Traumatic or stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, can trigger anxiety disorders

Diagnosis

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosing anxiety disorders, there are certain criteria that doctors and mental health professionals use to make a diagnosis.

• First, the person must have had an excessive and persistent period of anxiety and fear
• Second, this anxiety and fear must have interfered with their ability to function in day-to-day life
• Finally, the anxiety and fear must not be due to another medical condition or substance abuse

If a person meets all of these criteria, they will likely be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Treatment

While there is no cure for anxiety disorders, there are a number of effective treatments that can help people manage their symptoms and live normal, productive lives.

The most common type of treatment is psychological therapy, which can help people to understand and manage their anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a particularly effective form of psychological therapy, and it has been shown to be helpful in treating all types of anxiety disorders.

Other types of treatment for anxiety disorders include medication, relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes.

In most cases, a combination of these different types of treatment is most effective.

If you’re struggling with an anxiety disorder, there is always help available. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to find out what treatments are right for you.

How to Manage Anxiety Disorders

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing anxiety disorders, there are a few general strategies that can be helpful.

• First, seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand your anxiety and develop coping mechanisms to deal with your symptoms. He/she may prescribe medication in some cases.
• Two, it is important to understand your anxiety and what triggers it. This can help you to avoid situations that make your anxiety worse.
• Three, it is important to build a support network of friends and family who can provide emotional support. Having people to talk to who understand what you’re going through can be a huge help when managing anxiety disorders.
• Four, In addition to professional help, there are a number of things you can do on your own to manage your anxiety. Exercise, relaxation techniques and healthy lifestyle choices can all help to reduce anxiety.
• Finally, you should avoid alcohol and drugs, as they can worsen anxiety symptoms.

With proper treatment and professional help, you can lead a happy, anxiety-free life.

If you have a question related to this blog post, write to us here and we will update this post with a response.

Sources: WedMD, Mayo Clinic, NIMH and NAMI.

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