Mental struggles are often brushed aside and dismissed as inconsequential. It has taken several awareness campaigns and proven studies to make people believe mental health is a serious issue and must be handled carefully. One of the most common mental problems in these recent years has been the anxiety disorder. This is a difficult situation to handle because anxiety can compromise your quality of life considerably. Most people are still baffled by this disorder and don’t know what it means. In this article, we explore what it means to suffer from an anxiety disorder.
What is Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder is a constant feeling of fear, dread, or uncertainty in different situations. This group of mental disorders comes in different forms and every form requires a different treatment. Here’s a brief introduction to the types of specific disorders that fall under this term:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder – As the name suggests, this is general anxiety. It means patients experience an intense feeling of worry and fear for no reason at all. While some situations and high levels of stress can trigger it, generalized anxiety disorder doesn’t have a specific root. A person can experience it in any given situation.
- Phobias – Many people treat phobias lightly, but these can be intensely triggering. People suffering from a fear of spiders can experience a severe anxiety attack when they see or touch a spider. People can develop phobias regarding heights, water, flying, and many such situations.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – Some people are introverts and dislike crowded spaces. Other people have the social anxiety disorder, which is intense fear and worry in social situations. Patients with this disorder find everyday social situations challenging and can experience an anxiety attack when faced with a big crowd.
- Panic Attacks – Panic attacks are fierce and difficult to overcome. When a patent is triggered, they experience symptoms like shortness of breath, shaking, chest pains, and dizziness. This panic attack can come out of nowhere and bring your life to a stand-still.
The intensity of anxiety disorders can vary from person to person, but it is a good idea to seek treatment for the issues early. Treatment allows patients to control how much these disorders can influence their lifestyle and maintain a good quality of life.
Why Does It Happen?
No one really knows what triggers anxiety disorders. Factors like genes, environment, and changes in the brain’s chemistry can be a cause. People with a family history of anxiety disorders are more likely to get one. Trauma during early life can also cause serious anxiety disorders throughout your life.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
Almost everyone knows what anxiety feels like. Did you ever get nervous about speaking in front of an audience? During your first day on a job? While working on a big project? Imagine experiencing a more potent version of that anxiety on almost every day of your life.
That’s what most people with anxiety disorders go through. The feeling of anxiety and fear becomes too much for them to handle. In many cases, it starts taking over their lives. Here are some of the most common symptoms of anxiety disorders:
- Extreme panic and fear.
- Uneasiness and restlessness.
- Difficulty sleeping regularly.
- Short breath or difficulty breathing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations.
- Cold and trembling hands or feet.
- Tense muscles and aching body.
- Dizziness and even blackouts.
If you experience these systems regularly, especially in stressful situations, you might have an anxiety disorder. With proper medication and regular treatment, all of these symptoms can be managed with minimal impact on your lifestyle.
Doctors have no way to specifically diagnose anxiety disorders. They’ll conduct a thorough examination just to eliminate other possibilities, look into your medical history, and ask you specific questions about your experience. This information will help them accurately determine if you have anxiety disorders.
What are the Solutions?
There are many treatment options available to people with all kinds of anxiety disorders. The doctor’s first step is to determine the extent of the patient’s anxiety before offering solutions that might help. Some solutions include:
- Medication – Medication like anti-depressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants can have some impact on patients with anxiety disorders. These medications are prescribed if the patient experiences severe social, general anxiety, and panic disorders. Medicines aren’t always effective so doctors always keep alternative options open.
- Therapy – Therapy is an effective solution that helps patients deal with the emotional toll of these disorders. They can offer advice on how to identify triggers, manage symptoms, avoid triggers, etc. Therapists will also use cognitive behavioral therapy to change thought patterns or behaviors. This process might remove factors that trigger anxiety attacks and help people lead a better life.
Doctors will also recommend patients to make a certain lifestyle change like a better diet, exercise, different activities, etc., to help maintain the disorder. A combination of therapy, some medication, and some lifestyle changes can help patients deal with these disorders well.
Anxiety disorders are no laughing matter and can severely compromise a person’s quality of life. Managing it can be exhausting and cause additional stress to the patient, especially if the disorder remains undiagnosed. If you experience any symptoms that feel like excessive anxiety, consult with a doctor today. Article about anxiety disorder was brought to you by the leaders in online counselling and therapy – https://www.e-therapy.uk . With E-therapy you can chat online with qualified, experienced therapists Feel better with cost effective counselling and therapy from home for stress, depression, anxiety and more. Seeking treatment early can help.
