10 Things You've Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders Symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times - it's a natural part of our human condition. If these feelings persist and are affecting your daily life, then you might have an anxiety disorder.
A health professional can help you find an appropriate treatment that matches your needs. This can include antianxiety medications or psychotherapy and natural remedies such as exercise as well as a healthy diet and sleeping.
1. Worry and Fear
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times. It's part of the body's "fight or flight" response to danger. If the feeling is extreme and does not go away, or if it interferes with your daily routine, then you may have anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by having a discussion with you, a physical examination as well as urine or blood tests, and questions about your past health. You also might be given questionnaires to complete to help your doctor determine whether you have a specific anxiety disorder.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary by kind. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, for instance are constantly worried and irrationally about everyday situations even though there isn't any real threat. They also have trouble sleeping or relaxing. Other symptoms include a fast, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations), sweating and trembling. People with panic disorder have repeated episodes of intense feelings of terror or fear that rise to an extreme within minutes. They also have difficulties controlling their emotions. They tend to avoid certain activities or places to stop these attacks from occurring.
People who have phobias are afraid of certain things like snakes or flying. They may also have other symptoms as well, such as difficulty breathing or a headache. People suffering from PTSD are anxious following an experience or witnessing an event that is traumatic like a car accident or war. Other symptoms could include flashbacks and nightmares of the traumatizing incident.
Other anxiety disorders include ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder) hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder. These disorders cause you to feel anxious when you are in social situations. You can also experience anxiety due to a specific health issue, which is referred to as illness anxiety disorder. Other causes of anxiety include stress and an imbalance in the chemical system of your brain. Sometimes, anxiety is an adverse effect of certain medications.
2. Panic Attacks
Although everyone is anxious or scared at some point, people with anxiety disorders have recurring sensations of anxiety and fear that are in contrast to their situation. These feelings can cause severe physical reactions like an intense pulse, a breathing problems, and nausea. They may cause you to feel disoriented or disconnected from reality.
Although anyone can experience panic disorder however, it is more common to experience it during childhood, adolescence or in early adulthood. Many factors can cause it, including chronic or extreme stress that creates chemical imbalances in your brain and nervous system. Trauma, especially during childhood or adolescence can increase your chances of developing anxiety disorders.
Panic attacks can occur without cause or in response to a circumstance that causes you to be anxious, for example, being in a large group. They are different from normal anxiety symptoms in that they have more intense symptoms and are usually unexpected. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also experience a combination of unexpected and expected panic attacks.
Talking therapies and medication are the most commonly used treatments for panic attacks and anxiety. Talking therapies can help you understand how to manage your fears and overcome the irrational beliefs that fuel your anxiety. They can also teach you to relax through exercises like deep breathing and mindfulness. Certain medications, especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) -- can make your anxiety and panic less severe.
If you have a recurrent panic attack, it's crucial to consult with your doctor and get treatment immediately. Your doctor can determine if you have other health conditions that cause similar symptoms and suggest other treatment options.
3. Insomnia
When people are stressed they may have trouble sleeping or staying asleep at night. This is known as insomnia. It can be a temporary issue or a long-term. Sleep deprivation can make it difficult to make it through the day and may lead to serious health problems. It is more common among women than men and is more common in older adults. It is also more prevalent in people with psychiatric disorders.
Many different factors can trigger insomnia. Sleep is affected by a variety of temporary illnesses such as headaches or colds, chronic conditions such as acid reflux, Parkinson's disease or arthritis and medication. Stressful life circumstances can also cause it. About half of those suffering from chronic insomnia suffer from mental illness, the most common being anxiety or depression.
The first thing doctors will do is to look for physical causes of the problem. They will review your medical history and ask you about the symptoms that are making it difficult to sleep. They will also ask whether you are taking any medications that might affect your sleep. They could also conduct an overnight sleep study so that they can observe your heart rate and breathing at night.
Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It helps you overcome the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also teaches you ways to relax before going to bed. There are a variety of techniques to help you relax, including progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, and biofeedback. Your doctor can help find a therapist who can teach you the methods. If you do not respond to behavioural therapies there are many medications that can help you improve your sleep. These include benzodiazepines, which can be used to ease symptoms temporarily and also antidepressant and anxiety medication.
4. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are characterised by a preoccupation with weight, body shape, and food and eating habits like eating excessively, purging frequently vomiting, abuse of laxatives and exercise. Many people with an eating disorder also have anxiety as do those who suffer from a mental illness that is co-occurring such as depression or bipolar disorder. Combined, the two conditions can create a vicious cycle where a person's mood problems increase the symptoms of their eating disorder.
There is a strong association between anxiety and eating disorders and eating disorders, with more anxiety-related symptoms being associated with greater severity of the disorder. In reality those suffering from anorexia tends to exhibit the presence of anxiety-related symptoms at a high level, and the same is true for those with the disorder of binge eating known as bulimia nervosa. In certain cases, anxiety may be the main reason behind an eating disorder. In certain instances anxiety could be a supplementary indication of an eating disorder.
Researchers discovered that the presence of comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms was significantly related to more severe eating disorders among young females. The team of researchers used the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) as a four-item measurement of depression and anxiety symptoms. They also assessed the severity of eating disorders and asked participants to rate how they cope with anxiety.
The researchers behind the study also looked at three factors that may help explain the connection between eating disorders and anxiety: self-esteem, perfectionism and mood dysregulation. These factors may have influenced the relationship between depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders however in different ways depending on the subgroups. They hope that the findings will allow them to develop more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders.
5. Physical conditions that are a result of anxiety
A majority of people experience anxiety at some time in their lives, but it can become a disorder if it is severe and interferes with daily activities. Some people also have specific physical symptoms, like stomach pain or chest pain in response to the type of anxiety they have.
The right treatment can allow people to live healthier and happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. The most popular type is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you to recognize and change negative thoughts that cause anxiety and anxiety. It also teaches you how to confront the fears that make you anxious and conquer your fears in small steps.
Medication can be helpful. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and Valium can help reduce anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants like SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants are also prescribed. These drugs increase levels of certain brain chemicals that regulate mood, and can be used on their own or in conjunction with other treatments for anxiety disorders.
Medical conditions can cause anxiety and may cause the same physical symptoms as those of an anxiety disorder. Head trauma can cause depression and anxiety for instance. Other conditions that can cause anxiety include chronic fatigue, pain as well as rheumatologic diseases such as Lupus, and some nutritional deficiencies.
Certain factors increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. Some are genetic, for example, a family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors like childhood abuse, depression or other mental disorders, and an accumulation of stress for a long time can increase the risk of anxiety disorders. Because of this, it's important to get an accurate physical exam if you are suffering from anxiety.