Anxiety in its Different Forms
Most people will experience the feeling of anxiety at some point in their lives; typical anxiety occurs before stressful events, such as taking an important test or giving a big performance. However, there are some people that feel anxiety consistently and/or continuously, which often becomes a hindrance to their everyday lives. These people very likely have an anxiety disorder. With around 44 million cases in the United States, anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the United States. Anxiety disorders affect people of all ages and occur from different circumstances. These disorders can arise from a variety of situations and conditions, either from the environment or genetically. Some instances include having a low income, stressful life events, or being a divorcee or widow. Risk factors for developing anxiety disorders include trauma, stress buildup, personality, drugs and alcohol, having other mental disorders or family with anxiety disorders.
Several forms of anxiety disorders include general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. In the case of general anxiety disorder, the most notable symptom is excessive anxiety lasting multiple weeks or months. Other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating can be present. Panic disorder is a little different because rather than a continuous worry, a panic attack can occur very suddenly and make the person feel out of control. Panic attacks are characterized by a distinct “feeling of impending doom” as well as rapid heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, trembling, and choking. People with panic disorders many times feel anxious about their next attack, or when something related to the attack is brought up, such as location or person. Lastly, a social anxiety disorder is, as its name suggests, anxiety that is brought up around being in a social environment, either when interacting or performing. People with social anxiety will many times fear being judged or disproven of by others. This can translate into forms of being self-conscious, embarrassment, nauseous or trembling around people, and can make it difficult for a person to make friends or talk in front of groups.
More anxiety disorders include agoraphobia, separation anxiety, and specific phobias. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder where the person fears a place or situation that will induce panic and helplessness. Separation anxiety disorder occurs in children, where separation from parents or those with that role affect the child’s development. Another child-specific anxiety disorder is selective mutism, where they are unable to speak only in some situations, many times school, affecting their social life outside of the home. Specific phobias relate only to a certain situation/object that will induce panic only in that case.
Anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy and or medication, such as psychotherapy, where a person talks about their anxiety and receives treatment towards their specific fear or worry. However , this can also make the person uncomfortable with sharing their circumstances. In various cases, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to help the patient with their anxiety by teaching them how to act and react in that kind of situation. Furthermore, a person can look towards self-help and support groups, or learn stress-management techniques to deal with their anxiety. Medication is used to relieve a person of anxiety symptoms. Medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers, which controls symptoms like rapid heartbeat and shaking/trembling.
In any case, if you are experiencing symptoms such as worry, fear or anxiety that is difficult to control or is affecting your ability to interact or work effectively you should seek a doctor because these symptoms are often signs of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are a real, serious medical condition and it’s not beneficial to overlook them.
References:
“Anxiety.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961.
“Understand the Facts.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety.
“Anxiety Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mar. 2016, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml.
