Mental Health
Anxiety is part and parcel of most of our lives. In itself, it is not particularly serious and often manifests itself through nothing more than a sleepless night or perhaps the odd drink or extra cigarette.
Anxiety Disorder is however a clinical problem, characterized by several months or more of chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience.
People with this disorder usually expect the worst. They worry excessively about money, health, family, or work, even when there are no signs of trouble, or if there are problems, their implications and effects are exaggerated.
HOW COMMON IS ANXIETY?
About 3% to 4% of the UK population are known to have anxiety disorder during the course of a year.
Anxiety most often strikes people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood too. It seems to affect women more often than men.
WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?
Some research suggests that Anxiety Disorder may run in families, and it may also grow and intensify during stress.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM EXPERIENCING A GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
The first sign is chronic, irrational worry that can’t be turned off. This can focus on a variety of topics including health, money, domestic, family problems or job responsibilities.
Worries can be accompanied by physical symptoms that include trembling twitching, muscle tension, headaches, sweating or hot flashes. The person might feel lightheaded, out of breath, nauseated or have to go to the bathroom a lot. Some people might feel they have lumps in their throats.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS:
Anxiety Disorder can manifest itself in a range of physical symptoms, including:
- Feeling keyed up, restless or on edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Experiencing irritability
- Experiencing muscle tension
- Having sleep disturbances
SYMPTOMS OF PANIC DISORDER
Panic Disorder can appear at any age in children or in the elderly, but most often it begins in young adults. Not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. For those who do have panic disorder, it is important to seek treatment. Untreated, the disorder can become very debilitating.
People with panic disorder experience frequent, unprovoked panic attacks that involve some or all of these symptoms:
- Racing heartbeat
- Chest pains
- Terror
- Fear of dying
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Flushes or chills
- Difficulty breathing
- Tingling or numbness
- Feelings of unreality
- Fear of losing control or doing something embarrassing
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Treatment for anxiety may include medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques. Successful treatment may include a medication called Buspirone. Research into the effectiveness of other medications, such as Diazepam and antidepressants, is ongoing.
Psychotherapy treatment, which is concerned with the origins of the symptoms and with emotions, feelings and thoughts is also useful in looking at anxiety disorders.