Everything You Must Know About Anxiety Disorder

It is natural to feel anxious now and then. For instance, you may be nervous when asked to do a presentation at work before taking an examination or committing to marriage. Anxiety disorder, however, is different. It is a mental health condition that prevents you from leading the life normally. To know more, please check out the given discussion right now.

Types

• Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder or social phobia compels you to feel overwhelmed and conscious regarding everyday situations. You think others are judging you constantly, or you are afraid that you may do something embarrassing.

• Panic Disorder

Panic attacks strike randomly. You will sweat profusely and suffer from palpitation or unusually powerful strikes. Sometimes, you feel you have a heart attack.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

You worry about something excessively common related to money, health, work, school, and family without little to no reason. At times, genetics is held responsible.

• Phobias

You will be immensely terrified of a specific situation or objects like flying or heights. The fear is not appropriate and often causes you to run away from ordinary events.

Symptoms

• Insomnia
• Fear and uneasiness
• Numb, cold, sweaty, or tingling feet and hands
• Failing to stay still and calm
• Breathing troubles
• Heart palpitations
• Tense muscles
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Causes

Researchers have not been able to pinpoint what exactly causes anxiety disorder. Like other types of mental conditions, it stems from an amalgamation of things, which include a change in the brain, surrounding stress, and genes. Yes, the disorder can be associated with faulty circuits of the brain or your family.

Diagnosis

Instead of neglecting or suppressing the symptoms of anxiety disorder, contact a doctor immediately. He or she will evaluate your entire medical history and carry out tests to eliminate the illnesses that may have been causing the symptoms. No laboratory tests can, unfortunately, diagnose an anxiety disorder.

If your doctor does not find any medical reason, he or she may ask you to visit a psychologist. A psychologist will ask a series of questions and use tools to find out whether you have an anxiety disorder or not. He or she will take into account the duration and the intensity of the symptoms when diagnosing and also check if you can attend public gatherings without any hassle.

Treatments

Psychotherapy is known for addressing the emotional response to anxiety disorder. A practitioner helps you to understand the condition better, and fabricate strategies through which you may get rid of them in no time. CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that teaches you to identify and alter the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety.

Besides the best therapy for anxiety and OTC drugs, you may try to curb anxiety disorder through natural treatments. Cutting down on beverages and foods that contain caffeine like tea, coffee, chocolate, cola, etc. helps. Caffeine is known for being a mood-altering drug that makes the condition worse. Also, eat right, exercise at least a couple of minutes every day, and adhere to a relaxing bedtime regimen.