WHAT IS ANXIETY?

When a human faces any harmful or worrying triggers, it doesn't need to be a medical disorder. As we all know, any Incoming danger sets off alarms in the body and allows evasive action. These alarms become noticeable to us in the form of raised heartbeat, sweating, etc. Thus, the nervous feeling before any danger signs is a natural thing. These feelings are necessary for survival too.

But when the duration of anxious feeling becomes out of proportion as compared to the original trigger. Symptoms such as increased blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting may also develop. Then these responses move far off anxiety into an anxiety disorder.

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER: -

Symptoms of anxiety disorder will vary according to the severity of the disorder. Most of the symptoms include:

 

 

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS: -

  • Restlessness
  • Inability to sit still.
  • Social withdrawal
  • Irritability
  • Usage of drugs

 

 

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: -      

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia 
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Numbness

 

 

MENTAL SYMPTOMS: -

  • Feeling helpless
  • Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling worthless
  • Feeling in danger
  • Flashbacks

 

 

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDER: -

 

Anxiety disorder is classified into several types-

 

  • GENERALIZED FORM OF ANXIETY DISORDER- It is often the foremost common sort of mental disorder. Characterized by excessive unrealistic worries and tensions without any stimulus. This impairs the ability to concentrate.

 

 

  • PANIC DISORDER- Sudden attacks which repeatedly occur and without any warning. Usually occurs due to prolonged stress and frightening experiences. In this type of disorder, a person should avoid moving in crowds. These attacks can lead to dizziness, nausea, and breathing difficulties.

 

  • SPECIFIC PHOBIAIt is an irrational fear and avoidance of that particular thing or that situation.

 

  • AGORAPHOBIAIt is the phobia in which a person thinks that he would be unable to escape from that thing if once trapped. 

 

 

  • SELECTIVE MUTISM- It is a form of social phobia. This is the form of anxiety that children experience. They cannot speak in public places like schools, even though they may have excellent verbal skills around familiar people.

 

  • SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER OR SOCIAL PHOBIAFear of being judged by others or negative judgment. This disorder can cause people to steer clear of public places and human contact. 

 

CAUSES OF ANXIETY DISORDER: -

 

 

Possible causes may be-

 

  • GENETIC- People who have parents or siblings with an anxiety disorder are at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder in themselves.

 

  • ENVIRONMENTALSeveral life events may affect a person's ability to cope, leading to anxiety disorder.

 

  • MEDICALIntense surgery or prolonged recovery may lead to stress.

 

 

TREATMENT: -

 

Treatments will consist of a combination of several therapies and medication.

 

   SELF TREATMENT-

 

  • Stress management- Learning to manage stress can help in managing triggers. Organize any upcoming pressure.

 

  • Relaxation techniques- include meditation, deep breathing, resting in the dark, and yoga.

 

 

  • Replacing negative thoughts with a positive one- Doing simple exercises as physical exertion releases some hormones that trigger positive feelings. 

 

All this sums up that anxiety is a normal but highly subjective human emotion. While normal anxiety is a useful and adaptive purpose, anxiety can also become the cause of immense suffering for millions of people. There are several types of anxiety disorder, but all can be leveled up too by taking proper precautions and treatment.

 

 

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I'm a student of II-BHMS. I do write content in the form of articles and blogs.