Going through anxiety is still challenging despite it being quite common. Anxiety can affect your work life, as well as your social life, making it hard to function when out in public. The symptoms could be physical or emotional, with some having both. The challenges experienced include shortness of breath, trembling, dizziness, stomach upset, rapid heartbeat, and chest pain and not to mention racing thoughts and excessive worry. Anxiety disorder subtypes also exist and include OCD, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, general anxiety.
Anxiety is a natural and common reaction that is experienced by people in their daily lives. Anxiety could be healthy at some levels and spark motivation that will help in solving problems. According to Talkspace, anxiety has the capability of interfering with one’s daily life if it is experienced on a daily basis. The attention of a professional of mental health may be required at this point.
Anxiety disorder symptoms
Anxiety disorders tend to be characterized by a continuous, unruly pattern of being sidetracked by experiences, topics, or ideas. People suffering from anxiety disorder might experience:
- Excessive worrying
- Having undesired thoughts
- A need to dodge people, situations, or things.
- Discomfort such as chest pains
5 Intestinal distress or stomach pain
- Feeling like fainting
- Shaking or trembling
- Shortness of breath
The list does not cover all symptoms but those stated could be a sign that one has anxiety if exhibiting the symptoms.
However, there are understated additional signs of anxiety. Though these signs are not solid proof of the presence of anxiety, they could still be subtle signs. They include:
- A solid daily routine
- Easily irritated
- Being a perfectionist
- Easily getting startled
- Finding it difficult to make decisions
- Keep getting stomach aches
- Sore muscles or neck
- No appetite
Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Therapists use various strategies, approaches, and techniques to treat anxiety. The most recommended and common methods according to the Talkspace app include Interpersonal therapy, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), and mindfulness therapy.
CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This is the most recommended and common treatment for anxiety. The procedure includes assisting in altering, labeling, identifying thought patterns. It will help in engaging desensitization and exposure to better coping approaches so as to reduce the impact of the anxiety.
Interpersonal Therapy
This is a rationally focused therapy that is useful to those suffering from anxiety disorders whose main cause comes from social interaction. The treatment could include giving helpful suggestions on fresh ways to approach people and interact with them.
Mindfulness-based therapy
This is a subgroup of CBT that uses the human body as an instrument for invention and a tool for change. Its strategies include guided visualization, meditation, breathing, and others.
What causes Anxiety?
Physiological causes
The interruption of routines such as getting a little exercise and sleep, social support deficiency, and an unbalanced diet could lead to anxiety increasing. Other habits such as drinking alcohol and caffeine also lead to anxiety.
Illicit and prescribed drug abuse often brings on anxiety disorders. Anxiety could easily be a side effect of prescribed medication. Seek medical advice if prescribed medication leads to anxiety. You could also get anxiety due to insufficient oxygen due to pulmonary embolism, altitude sickness, or emphysema.
Genetic causes
A study claims that chances are higher of having anxiety disorders is the issue is experienced by biological relatives.
Environmental causes
Things like stress could heavily contribute to someone’s anxiety. Whether the stress is from a relationship, school, or work, it will still cause anxiety. Medical illnesses, traumatic stress, and financial stress could all cause anxiety as well. The possibility of having an anxiety disorder is increased in the event of a traumatic experience.
