Anxiety Disorder Treatment: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. It can help you to cope. The anxiety may give you a boost of energy or help you focus. But for people with anxiety disorders, the fear is not temporary and can be overwhelming.

What are the causes of Anxiety?

The following are some of the causes of anxiety disorders:

• Genetics: Symptoms of anxiety can run in families.
• Brain Chemistry: According to several studies, nonfunctional brain circuits that control emotions and fear may be responsible for anxiety disorders.
• An Anxious Atmosphere: This is a reference to tense situations you have witnessed or experienced. The death of a loved one, being attacked, or witnessing violence are all life traumas that are frequently associated with anxiety disorders.
• Drug Abuse or Withdrawal: Some anxiety symptoms may be concealed or reduced with specific medications. Anxiety disorders are frequently associated with alcohol and substance abuse.
• Medical Conditions: Some heart, lung, and thyroid diseases can exacerbate or induce symptoms that are similar to those of anxiety disorders. When discussing anxiety with your doctor, it's crucial to undergo a thorough physical examination to rule out any medical disorders.

What are the types of Anxiety?

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) usually involves a persistent feeling of anxiety or dread, which can interfere with daily life.

Symptoms of GAD include:

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
• Being easily fatigued
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Being irritable
• Having headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep

2. Panic Disorder

Panic attacks happen frequently and without warning in people with panic disorder. Even when there is no obvious risk or trigger, panic attacks are sudden episodes of great fear, discomfort, or a sense of losing control.

During a panic attack, a person may experience:

• Pounding or racing heart
• Sweating
• Trembling or tingling
• Chest pain
• Feelings of impending doom
• Feelings of being out of control

3. Social Anxiety Disorder

People with a social anxiety disorder may experience:

• Blushing, sweating, or trembling
• Pounding or racing heart
• Stomachaches
• Rigid body posture or speaking with an overly soft voice
• Difficulty making eye contact or being around people they don’t know
• Feelings of self-consciousness or fear that people will judge them negatively

4. Phobia-Related Disorders

People with a phobia:

• May have an irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation
• Take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation
• Experience immediate intense anxiety upon encountering the feared object or situation
• Endure unavoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety