ANXIETY: TYPES, CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. 

Everyone feels anxious now and then. It’s a normal emotion. For example, The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous. you may feel nervous when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision.

Anxiety disorders are different, though. They are a group of mental illnesses, and the distress they cause can keep you from carrying on with your life normally.

For people who have one, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be disabling. But with treatment, many people can manage those feelings and get back to a fulfilling life.

 Types of Disorder

Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term that includes different conditions:

• Panic disorder- You feel terror that strikes at random. During a panic attack, you may also sweat, have chest pain, and feel palpitations (unusually strong or irregular heartbeats). Sometimes you may feel like you’re choking or having a heart attack

• Social anxiety disorder - Also called social phobia, this is when you feel overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. You fixate about others judging you or on being embarrassed or ridiculed.

• obsessive-compulsive disorder: recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviors

• separation anxiety disorder: fear of being away from home or loved ones

• illness anxiety disorder: anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria)

• phobias - You feel intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying. The fear goes beyond what’s appropriate and may cause you to avoid ordinary situations.

• Generalized anxiety disorder - You feel excessive, unrealistic worry and tension with little or no reasons.

Causes

Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of anxiety. But, it’s likely a combination of factors play a role. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as brain chemistry.

In addition, researchers believe that the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear may be impacted.

Current research of anxiety is taking a deeper look at the parts of the brain that are involved with anxiety.

Symptoms

Psychological symptoms of GAD ( generalized anxiety disorder)

GAD can cause a change in your behaviour and the way you think and feel about things, resulting in symptoms such as:

• restlessness

• A sense of dread

• feeling constantly "on edge"

• difficulty concentrating

• irritability

• Your symptoms may cause you to withdraw from social contact (seeing your family and friends) to avoid feelings of worry and dread.

• You may also find going to work difficult and stressful, and may take time off sick. These actions can make you worry even more about yourself and increase your lack of self-esteem.

Physical symptoms of GAD

GAD can also have a number of physical symptoms, including:

• dizziness

• tiredness

• a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• muscle aches and tension

• trembling or shaking

• dry mouth

• excessive sweating

• shortness of breath

• stomach ache

• feeling sick

• headache

• pins and needles

• difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)

 Anxiety triggers

• If you're anxious because of a specific phobia or because of panic disorder, you'll usually know what the cause is?

• For example, if you have claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), you know that being confined in a small space will trigger your anxiety.

• But it may not always be clear what you're feeling anxious about. Not knowing what triggers your anxiety can intensify it and you may start to worry that there's no solution.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms, your doctor will examine you and ask for your medical history. She may run tests to rule out medical illnesses that might be causing your symptoms. No lab tests can specifically diagnose anxiety disorders

Treatment

Once you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, you can to explore treatment options with your doctor. For some people, medical treatment isn’t necessary. Lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms.

In moderate or severe cases, however, treatment can help you overcome the symptoms and lead a more manageable day-to-day life.

Treatment for anxiety falls into two categories: psychotherapy and medication. Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help you learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.

Medications typically used to treat anxiety include antidepressants and sedatives. They work to balance brain chemistry, prevent episodes of anxiety, and ward off the most severe symptoms of the disorder. 

Prevention

There are ways to reduce the risk of anxiety disorders. Remember that anxious feelings are a natural factor of daily life, and experiencing them does not always indicate the presence of a mental health disorder.

Take the following steps to help moderate anxious emotions:

• Reduce intake of caffeine, tea, cola, and chocolate.
• Before using over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal remedies, check with a doctor or pharmacist for any chemicals that may make anxiety symptoms worse.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Keep a regular sleep pattern.
• Avoid alcohol, cannabis, and other recreational drugs.