It’s natural to feel anxious about moving to a new place, starting a new job, or taking a test. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
In the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with you all the time. It’s intense and sometimes debilitating. This type of anxiety may cause you to stop doing things you enjoy.
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For example, it may prevent you from entering an elevator, crossing the street, or even leaving your home in extreme cases. If left untreated, the anxiety will keep getting worse.
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone. But, according to the American Psychiatric Association, women are more likely than men to receive a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.
What are the different types of anxiety?
Anxiety is a vital part of several different disorders. These include: Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
- Panic disorder: This means you experience recurring panic attacks at unexpected times.
- Phobia: This is an excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
- Social anxiety disorder: This is an extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: This means you have recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviours.
- Separation anxiety disorder: This means you have a fear of being away from home or your loved ones.
- Illness anxiety disorder: This is anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria).
Anxiety is also associated with many other health conditions, such as the ones in ‘Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety’.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This is anxiety following a traumatic event.
- Major depressive disorder: A strong relationship exists between depression and anxiety.
- Chronic disease: Managing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes may result in anxiety symptoms. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
- Inflammatory conditions: Anxiety can lead to chronic inflammation and diseases such as arthritis.
- Substance use disorders: Many people with anxiety may try to self-medicate to help manage their symptoms.
- Chronic pain: Anxiety is often foundTrusted Source in those with chronic pain disorders.
What are the symptoms of anxiety? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control, like there’s a disconnect between your mind and body.
You may feel fear and worry in general, or you may fear a specific place or event. In some cases, you may experience a panic attack.
Other symptoms include: Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
- body aches and pains
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty sleeping
- fatigue
- headaches
- irritability
- restlessness
What is a panic attack? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
A panic attack is a sudden, intense feeling of fear that usually peaks in 10 minutes. The initial trigger of the fear can be known or unknown.
The physical symptoms can mimic a heart attack. Once you’re experiencing a panic attack, the symptoms may get worse if you believe you may be having a heart attack or a mental health emergency.
Another common fear that may exacerbate a panic attack is the fear that people may judge you negatively if you’re having an attack in public. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Panic attacks can vary greatly, and symptoms may differ from person to person. You may experience:
- chest pain
- feeling of choking
- fear of losing control
- feeling of impending doom
- sweating, chills, and hot flashes
- shaking
- numbness and tingling of hands, feet, or face
- nausea or upset stomach
- shortness of breath
When you experience repeated panic or anxiety attacks, you may have a panic disorder. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
What can cause or increase the risk of anxiety? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Experts aren’t sure of the exact cause of anxiety. But a combination of factors likely plays a role, such as:
- Certain personality traits: This includes shyness and nervousness in childhood.
- Genetics: People who have a first-degree relativeTrusted Source with a generalised anxiety disorder diagnosis may be more likely to experience the same condition.
- Life history: This includes exposure to negative or stressful life events.
- Medical history: Other health conditions can make you prone to anxiety.
- Stimulants: Caffeine, certain medications, and certain illicit substances can worsen anxiety symptoms.
Some researchers believe that anxiety stems from the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear and storing and retrieving emotional and fear-related memories.
Are there tests that diagnose anxiety? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
A single test can’t diagnose anxiety. Instead, an anxiety diagnosis requires a lengthy process of physical examinations, mental health tests, and psychological questionnaires.
Healthcare professionals may conduct a physical exam, including blood or urine tests, to rule out other underlying conditions that could contribute to the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Doctors also use several anxiety tests and scales to help them assess your anxiety levels.
How is anxiety treated? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Treatment can help you overcome the symptoms and lead a more manageable day-to-day life. Treatment for anxiety falls into three categories.
Therapy
Speaking with a therapist can help you develop more effective ways to cope with fears and stress that lead to anxiety. You might consider: Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Medication on Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and clonazepam, may be prescribed for short-term symptom relief. These medications carry a high risk of dependence, so they aren’t recommended for long-term use.
Buspirone may be prescribed for use on an as-needed basis. It’s less likely to cause dependence or result in symptoms of withdrawal than other medications for anxiety.
Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may also be prescribed to help with anxiety. This often includes: Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
Lifestyle on Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Doctors commonly use medication and talk therapy to treat anxiety. But lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep and regular exercise, can also help.
The list includes:
- being physically active
- eating a balanced diet
- practicing mindfulness
- prioritizing sleep
- meditating
- minimizing alcohol and caffeine
- quitting cigarettes, vaping nicotine, and other tobacco products
Other frequently asked questions on Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Is there a difference between anxiety and stress?
Stress is a typical and healthy reaction to an identifiable event that’s making you nervous, such as an upcoming test, presentation, wedding, or other major change in your life. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Stress will stop once the trigger goes away. Anxiety, on the other hand, persists beyond any trigger or even exists without a known trigger. You can often treat anxiety with therapy and medication.
What does anxiety look like in young children? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
As children grow up, they should outgrow the worries and fears they felt when they were younger.
Anxiety in children can also become chronic and persistent, with uncontrolled anxiety leading them to avoid interacting with their peers or family members.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder in children might include:
- anger
- fatigue
- headaches
- irritability
- sleeping too little or too much
- stomachache
What does anxiety look like in teenagers?
Teenagers may have many reasons to be anxious. Tests, college visits, and first dates all pop up in these important years. But teenagers who feel anxious or experience anxiety symptoms frequently may have an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety in teenagers may include nervousness, shyness, isolationist behaviours, and avoidance. For example, they may act out, perform unfavourably in school, skip social events, and even engage in substance or alcohol use. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
In some teens, depression may accompany anxiety. Diagnosing both conditions is essential so that their treatment can address the underlying cause and help relieve symptoms.
Can eating certain foods help with anxiety? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Some 2021 research suggests that the types of foods you eat may have a beneficial effect on your brain if you frequently experience anxiety. This includes:
- flax and chia seeds
- fatty fish such as mackerel and salmon
- turmeric
- vitamin D
- magnesium
- tryptophan
How does alcohol affect anxiety? Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can temporarily alleviate feelings of anxiety.
But as your body metabolises the alcohol, feelings of anxiety can rebound and may become more intense. This is sometimes known as hangxiety.
The bottom line on Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
You can treat your anxiety with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
But some people who have a mild anxiety disorder, or a fear of something they can easily avoid, decide to live with the condition and don’t get treatment. Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Avoiding the trigger, however, can actually make anxiety worse in the long term. Treatment can help you overcome the need to avoid a trigger.
It’s important to understand that anxiety disorders can be treated, even in severe cases. Although anxiety usually doesn’t go away, you can learn to manage it and live a fulfilled, healthy life.
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