Anxieties are normal and affect everyone sometimes. For some, anxiety is a constant companion. But at what point does it become a medical emergency, and how can we tell whether our worries are normal or indicative of a more serious condition? You may find some answers to your queries, such as “Do I have an anxiety disorder?” or “Why do I get anxiety?” in this guide.
Anxiety, then, is it? Anxiety is the experience of anxiety, uneasiness or discomfort, such as the feeling you get before your final test or a significant presentation at work. You experience some worry, but that “good anxiety” drives you to plan ahead. Plus, you let go of your worries and anxieties after the stressful event (like a final test or presentation) has passed.
Root Causes of Anxiety Disorders
It does appear that genes have a factor in anxiety disorders. When reviewing family patterns, there is usually a first-degree relative who has an anxiety disorder, or some kind of mood disturbance such as depression.
Other explanations include biological causes (such as chemical imbalances in the body) or environmental ones. For example, a youngster who was stressed around a strict father while growing up may be predisposed to feel the same when he is working with a supervisor who acts like his father.
Seeking Treatment
Luckily, anxiety problems are curable. The brain is capable of change through new learning and therapy. If discovered early and the correct therapy is offered, a patient may recover. Studies show that about 60 to 70 percent of people recover well and are able to lead regular lives.
The key is to get treatment. If left untreated, anxiety problems may lead to severe consequences such as depression. A person should seek professional help when the sense of anxiety begins to persistently influence their mood, social connections, and job performance.
When to Seek Help: Just Being Anxious vs Anxiety Disorder
Just Being Anxious:
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A mother, worried about her newborn baby’s cleanliness, makes sure she washes her hands each time she attends to the youngster.
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You attend a party alone and feel embarrassed at first since you don’t know anybody. But you settle down and locate a seat, drink, or someone to converse with, and your degree of attentiveness lowers.
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You become apprehensive before a job interview. You have some moderate stomach pain or a slightly quicker-than-usual heart rate, but the symptoms do not linger. Once the interview is complete, you feel relieved — or disappointed — but you are no longer apprehensive.
Anxiety Disorder:
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A woman, worried about her newborn baby’s cleanliness, makes sure she washes her hands each time she attends to the youngster… but she cleans them to the point that the hands get uncomfortable. She also stores up on hand soap and her water costs are hefty. Sometimes she forgets to feed her infant owing to the time spent on keeping things neat.
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You feel really uneasy when you step foot in a party. You feel that everyone is scrutinising what you dress and say. You clam up, your heart beats quickly and you feel dizzy. The symptoms remain long after you leave the site.
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Your heart begins to beat extremely rapidly, and you feel euphoric and short of breath. You are so bothered by the symptoms that you decide not to attend the interview.
How to Reduce Anxiety
Here are some techniques to lessen your anxiety levels:
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Establish positive habits
Diagnosis and Treatment Process
Most patients are treated in an outpatient environment. During the first visit, patients usually complain of stress and sleep difficulties. They also commonly disclose additional symptoms such as “my heart bounces”, “my heart feels heavy”, or “my throat feels dry”.
During consultation, the psychiatrist will also check whether the patient is suffering from other medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease or hyperthyroidism that have comparable symptoms to anxiety disorders (like racing heartbeat and tremors).
Those diagnosed with anxiety disorder are typically directed to a psychologist for further treatment. They may be asked to attend therapy sessions, begin medication, or both.
If effectively treated, most patients will show symptoms of recovery within two to three months. With continued therapy, they should be able to “get back on their feet again” within a year.
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