Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues, affecting over 40 million adults in the United States alone. These disorders are characterized by excessive and persistent fear, worry, and anxiety that interferes with daily functioning. Some well-known anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
Common Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several conditions that fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. Let's take a look at some of the most prevalent ones:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The anxiety is often overblown compared to the situation.
Social Anxiety Disorder - Extreme anxiety around social situations that involve interacting with other people. Fear of embarrassing oneself or being negatively judged by others.
Panic Disorder - Experiencing recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense discomfort or fear accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms like racing heart and feeling out of control.
Phobias - Persistent, irrational fear of an object, place, situation or activity such as heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), flying (aerophobia), crowded places (agoraphobia) and germs (mysophobia).
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Though each anxiety disorder has its unique symptoms, many share similar signs like:
Restlessness, feeling on edge
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbances
The anxiety, worry or fear is out of proportion to the actual risk or danger related to the situation or object of the phobia. The person experiencing anxiety realizes that their fear is unreasonable but they still cannot control it. This causes significant distress in social, occupational and other areas of functioning.
Which Conditions Are NOT Considered Anxiety Disorders?
There are some conditions that may have anxiety as an associated symptom, but are not true anxiety disorders. Understanding which conditions do NOT fall under the anxiety disorder category is important for diagnosis and treatment.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety caused by those thoughts. While anxiety may be present, the core of OCD is obsessions and compulsions - not excessive fear, worry and avoidance behavior.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can involve anxiety symptoms like hypervigilance and hyperarousal after exposure to a traumatic event. However, PTSD centers around re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive memories rather than anxiety about possible future threats.
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Previously known as hypochondriasis, people with this condition have significant health anxiety involving the fear or belief that they have a serious, undiagnosed medical condition. However, worrying about physical health is not the same thing as generalized anxiety, panic, or phobias.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are complex conditions that involve biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Some potential causes include:
Brain Chemistry
Research suggests that anxiety disorders may be linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters, chemicals that relay messages between parts of the brain and nervous system. An imbalance in key neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin and dopamine could contribute to anxiety symptoms.
Genetics
Those who have family members with anxiety disorders have a higher genetic risk for developing them. It's estimated that 30-40 percent of people with anxiety disorders also have an immediate family member who struggles with anxiety.
Environmental Stress
Stressful or traumatic environmental exposures like abuse, neglect, violence or prolonged hardship in childhood is associated with higher chance of anxiety disorders. High-stress home and work environments in adulthood can also trigger anxiety symptoms.
Health Factors
Certain biological health factors may play a role as well, like chronic health issues, inflammation, gut health imbalances, and use of stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Withdrawal from certain substances, medications, or drug abuse may also provoke anxiety.
When to Get Help for Anxiety
Getting the right therapeutic help and support is crucial when dealing with overwhelming anxiety. Many anxiety sufferers find relief from working with a mental health professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed counselor. Both medication and counseling have been shown to successfully treat anxiety disorders and reduce debilitating symptoms.
Living with anxiety can be exhausting and seemingly never ending. But with perseverance and professional help, managing anxiety is possible and leads to dramatic improvement in one's quality of life.
FAQs
What are the main symptoms of anxiety disorders?
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include excessive fear, worry or anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbances. The anxiety causes significant distress or functional impairment.
What are panic attacks a symptom of?
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks are a hallmark symptom of panic disorder. Panic attacks can also occur in other anxiety disorders or be triggered by medical conditions and medications. A panic attack features an abrupt surge of intense fear with physical and cognitive changes.
Can anxiety disorders be effectively treated?
Yes, anxiety disorders respond very well to treatments like psychotherapy, medications, relaxation techniques, adequate sleep and exercise. The most effective plans combine therapy and medications for quicker, longer lasting relief of anxiety symptoms.
Does anxiety run in families?
Yes, anxiety disorders often run in families, with up to 40% of sufferers having an immediate family member who also has anxiety issues. Genetics and shared environmental factors play a role in this increased family risk.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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