[Health Tips] Anxiety Disorder; meaning, risks, types, symptoms, treatments

Anxiety disorders are a type of mental illness. You may react to certain things and situations with fear and dread if you have an anxiety disorder. Physical symptoms of anxiety include a racing heart and excessive sweating.

It’s normal to feel anxious. If you have to deal with a problem at work, go to an interview, take a test, or make an important decision, you may feel anxious or nervous. Anxiety, on the other hand, can be beneficial. Anxiety, for example, helps us notice dangerous situations and focus our attention, allowing us to stay safe.

But an anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you may feel from time to time. An anxiety disorder happens when:

• Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
• You often overreact when something triggers your emotions.
• You can’t control your responses to situations.

Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to get through the day. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

Who is at risk for anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. You may be more vulnerable if you have or have had:

• Certain personality traits, such as shyness or behavioural inhibition — feeling uneasy around unfamiliar people, situations, or environments and avoiding them.
• Early childhood or adulthood stressors or traumatic events
• Anxiety or other mental health conditions run in the family.
• Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid issues and heart arrhythmias (unusual heart rhythms).

Anxiety disorders are more common in women. Researchers are still investigating why this occurs. It could be caused by women’s hormones, particularly those that fluctuate throughout the month. The hormone testosterone may also play a role — men have more of it, and it may help with anxiety. It’s also possible that women are less likely to seek treatment, aggravating their anxiety.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Panic disorder.
• Phobias.
• Separation anxiety.

Other mental health conditions share features with anxiety disorders. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

You may experience extreme and unrealistic worry and tension if you have GAD, even if there is nothing to trigger these feelings. Most days, you may be concerned about a variety of issues, including your health, work, school, and relationships. You may have the impression that your anxiety is spreading from one thing to the next.

GAD physical symptoms can include agitation, difficulty concentrating, and sleeping difficulties.

What is Panic Disorder?

When you have a panic disorder, you experience intense, unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are frequently accompanied by stronger, more intense feelings than other types of anxiety disorders.

The feelings of terror may start suddenly and unexpectedly or they may come from a trigger, like facing a situation you dread. Panic attacks are similar to heart attacks. Go to the emergency room if you suspect you’re having a heart attack. It’s better to be safe and have a healthcare professional examine you.

During a panic attack, you may experience:

• Sweating.
• Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is pounding).
• Chest pain.
• Feeling of choking, which can make you think you’re having a heart attack or “going crazy.”

Panic attacks are very upsetting. People with panic disorder often spend a lot of time worrying about the next panic attack. They also try to avoid situations that might trigger an attack.

What are Phobias?

Phobias are extreme fears of specific situations or objects. Some of these fears, such as a fear of snakes, may make sense. However, the level of fear frequently does not correspond to the situation.

Like with other anxiety disorders, you may spend a lot of time trying to avoid situations that may trigger the phobia. It may cause you to avoid everyday situations.

Types of phobias;

Specific Phobia: Some specific phobias include fear of: Animals, such as spiders, dogs or snakes; Blood, Flying, Heights, injections (shots) and so on

Social anxiety disorder/ social phobia: You may experience overwhelming anxiety and self-consciousness in everyday social situations. You may be concerned that others will judge you, or that you will embarrass yourself or expose yourself to ridicule. People suffering from social anxiety disorder may completely avoid social situations.

Agoraphobia: If you suffer from agoraphobia, you may be terrified of being overwhelmed or unable to seek help. Usually, you have a fear of two or more of these environments:

• Enclosed spaces.
• Lines or crowds.
• Open spaces.
• Places outside your house.
• Public transportation.

In severe situations, a person with agoraphobia may not leave the house at all. They’re so terrified of having a panic attack in public that they prefer to stay inside.

What is separation anxiety disorder?

This condition is most common in children and teenagers who are worried about being separated from their parents. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder may worry that their parents will be hurt in some way or will not return as promised. It occurs frequently in preschoolers. However, older children and adults who experience a stressful event may also suffer from separation anxiety disorder.