Disorders related to anxiety

Summary

It’s normal to occasionally feel anxious in life. On the other hand, strong, overwhelming, and persistent worry and panic regarding commonplace events are often experienced by those with anxiety disorders. Panic attacks, which are abrupt, strong feelings of fear or terror that peak in a matter of minutes, are a common feature of anxiety disorders.

These uncontrollably intense, out-of-proportion-to-the-real-danger emotions cause disruptions to everyday activities and can last for extended periods. To stop these emotions, you could steer clear of certain areas or circumstances. The onset of symptoms can occur in childhood or adolescence and persist throughout maturity.

Generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, particular phobias, and social anxiety disorder (sometimes known as social phobia) are a few types of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can coexist in you. 

Treatment is helpful for any type of anxiety you may experience.

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Signs and symptoms

Typical indications and symptoms of anxiety include:

feeling tense, uneasy, or restless

feeling as though there’s imminent danger, terror, or disaster

Experiencing an elevated heart rate

fast breathing (hyperventilation)

Perspiration

shaky

feeling worn down or feeble

difficulty focusing or thinking about anything other from the current concern

Having difficulty falling asleep

Having digestive issues (GI issues)

Having trouble putting concern in check

the desire to stay away from situations that make you anxious

There are various kinds of anxiety disorders:

Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of places or situations that could make you feel imprisoned, helpless, or embarrassed. The term “agoraphobia” (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is used to describe this condition.

Severe anxiety or panic attacks that are directly brought on by a physical health issue are included in the category of medically produced anxiety disorders.

Anxiety that is excessive and persistent, along with worry about events or activities, even everyday problems, are symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It’s hard to control, the concern is out of proportion to the situation, and it physically affects you. It frequently coexists with depression or other anxiety disorders.

Panic attacks, which are abrupt, severe experiences of fear or terror that peak in a matter of minutes, are a common feature of panic disorder. Breathlessness, chest pain, or a fast, fluttering, or hammering heart are possible signs of imminent doom (heart palpitations). These panic episodes can cause anxiety about reoccurring episodes or make you avoid settings where they’ve happened.

When children consistently avoid speaking in social circumstances, like school, even though they are able to converse when they are with close family members at home, this is known as selective mutism. This may cause issues for social, professional, and academic functioning.

A childhood disorder known as separation anxiety disorder is typified by anxiety that is excessive for the child’s developmental stage and associated with being apart from parents or other adults who play a parental role.

High degrees of anxiety, fear, and social scenario avoidance are symptoms of social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), which is brought on by emotions of humiliation, self-consciousness, and worry about being judged or adversely viewed by others.

Significant anxiety and a strong desire to avoid an object or circumstance are the hallmarks of certain phobias. Some people experience panic episodes due to phobias.

Severe anxiety or panic attacks that are brought on by drug abuse, prescription side effects, exposure to toxins, or drug withdrawal are the hallmarks of substance-induced anxiety disorder.

Anxiety or phobias that don’t exactly fit the description of any other anxiety disorder but are severe enough to be upsetting and disruptive are referred to as other specified anxiety disorder or unidentified anxiety disorder.

When to visit a physician

Consult a physician if:

You believe that your excessive worry is getting in the way of your relationships, career, or other aspects of your life.

You find your dread, worry, or anxiety disturbing and hard to manage.

Along with anxiety, you have depression, struggle with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health issues.

You believe there may be a connection between your anxiety and a medical issue.

If you’re experiencing suicide thoughts or actions, get emergency care right now.

If you don’t get help, your problems could not go away on their own and might even get worse over time. Consult a mental health professional or your physician before your anxiety worsens. Seeking treatment early makes it easier.

Make an appointment.

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Reasons

The reasons behind anxiety disorders are not entirely known. People who are already prone to anxiety appear to be more susceptible to anxiety disorders when they encounter life experiences like traumatic occurrences. An additional component may be inherited qualities.

medical reasons

An underlying medical condition may be connected to anxiety in certain individuals. Anxiety symptoms and signs might occasionally be the first to appear in a medical condition. Your doctor may prescribe tests to check for symptoms of a disease if they think there might be a medical explanation for your worry.

The following are some instances of illnesses that have been connected to anxiety:

Heart conditions

Diabetes

issues with the thyroid, including hyperthyroidism

breathing conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abuse or cessation of drugs

Elimination of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other anti-anxiety drugs

Does irritable bowel syndrome cause chronic pain?

rare tumors that release specific hormones that aid in flight or combat

Anxiety is occasionally an adverse effect of several drugs.

There’s a chance that an underlying medical ailment is the cause of your anxiety if:

You don’t have any biological family members who suffer from anxiety disorders, like parents or siblings.

You did not grow up with an anxiety problem

Anxiety does not force you to avoid particular situations or items.

You don’t have a history of anxiety before, and this sudden anxiety seems unrelated to anything going on in your life.

Factors at risk

The following elements could make you more susceptible to anxiety disorders:

trauma. At some time in their lives, children who experienced abuse, trauma, or observed horrific events are more likely to develop an anxiety condition. Anxiety disorders can also emerge in adults who have gone through traumatic experiences.

stress brought on by a disease. When you have a major sickness or health condition, you may worry a lot about things like your future and how you will be treated.

accumulation of stress. Excessive anxiety can be brought on by a major incident or an accumulation of minor stressful life situations. Examples include a loss in the family, stress at work, or persistent worry about money.

Individuality. Anxiety disorders are more common in some personality types than in others.

further mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders are frequently coexisting conditions in people with other mental health conditions including depression.

having family members that suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are hereditary.

booze or drugs. Anxiety can be exacerbated or caused by drug or alcohol abuse, usage, or withdrawal.

Difficulties

Anxiety disorders do more than just cause worry. Additionally, it can cause or exacerbate other medical and psychological disorders like:

Depression or other mental health conditions, which frequently coexist with anxiety disorders

Misuse of substances

Lack of sleep (insomnia)

intestinal or digestive issues

Chronic pain and headaches

Social seclusion

difficulties getting by at job or school

Low standard of living

Suicide.