What is Anxiety?
Anxiety includes panic disorder, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are more severe than normal feelings of nervousness.
Causes
Anxiety disorders may be brought on by genetics, biochemical changes in the brain, environmental factors, and traumatic life events.
Symptoms
- Panic, fear, apprehension
- Obsessive thinking
- Flashbacks of traumatic experiences
- Nightmares
- Ritualised behaviour (such as checking repeatedly that the cooker is off)
- Restless sleep
- General restlessness and inability to sit still
- Cold, clammy or sweaty hands
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- A dry mouth
- Upset stomach
- Tension in the muscles
Symptoms often occur at times dissociated from the events they may be caused by. Anxiety can be extremely disabling, impacting a person’s ability to work or participate in everyday activities. It can also deeply affect a person’s family or friends and cause them to feel helpless in supporting the person with anxiety.
Anxiety sufferers may also experience other conditions, such as depression.
Treatment
Treatment for anxiety disorders include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling to find out the cause of the anxiety, and relaxation techniques. They may also include prescription drugs to control symptoms or modify chemical imbalances.
Panic disorders
People who suffer from panic disorders experience unpredictable attacks.
Symptoms
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness or hot flushes
- Fear of losing control
Some symptoms, such as chest pain, may mimic heart attack symptoms, which only serves to increase anxiety.
Panic disorders often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, affecting twice as many women than men. Research suggests there may be a genetic link.
Phobias
Phobias are irrational, uncontrollable and persistent fears. Common phobias are agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces), and social phobia. Many people have a phobia of a specific thing (such as spiders or snakes).
Phobias frequently cause the phobic to go to any length in order to avoid the situation or thing they are afraid of.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
People with obsessive compulsive disorder perform rituals to overcome irrational fears. An obsession may the fear of germs causing the need to wash hands repeatedly. Compulsive behaviours may include keeping objects in a particular order, or repeated checking (i.e. doors are locked).
The person usually knows that their behaviour is irrational, but this does not alter the compulsion to perform the ritual.
Many people perform some form of compulsive behaviour. However, it is when it interferes with daily life and relationships that it becomes a serious disorder.
Obsessive compulsive disorders usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood and may be linked to other conditions, such as depression.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) usually follows within three months of a severe emotional experience such as a serious accident, or being a witness to or victim of violence. Sometimes PTSD can start many years later. It can last for a short period, or last quite long if no support is available.
Extreme distress may occur from experiencing unexpected flashbacks of the event and nightmares. There may also be feelings of detachment or depression. The person may find it difficult to be close to family or friends. They may have mood swings, be irritable, frustrated or even have feelings of violence.
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