Anxiety is medically associated with several disorders that cause apprehension, panic attacks, nervousness, worrying among others. They usually manifest as mental problems that affect the way we behave, react to situations and feel at any particular time. Everybody experiences the symptoms described above but anxiety disorders are usually accompanied by physical symptoms and illnesses. There are over 100 anxiety symptoms; every individual has a unique chemical composition that defines the type, frequency, number and intensity leading to variation of symptoms from person to person. There are several anxiety disorders with different signs and symptoms, they include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is chronic disorder that is normally characterized by a feeling of constant worry and fear that disrupts our day-to-day activities. The excessive fear and worry manifests even when dealing with normal issues such as money, children, work or school. GAD develops slowly and differs from one individual to the other. Psychological symptoms include, constant feeling of fear and dread, restlessness, impatience, victims are easily irritated and have difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms include dizziness and tiredness, insomnia, pins and needles, headaches, shortness of breath among others.
GAD can have a serious impact on an individual’s social life and might lead to withdrawal to avoid the constant feeling of worrying and dread; it also leads to lack of self esteem and confidence. GAD gets worse with time and if left unattended, both psychological and physical symptoms escalate. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments. It entails educating patients and development of cognitive strategies that can help in controlling the pattern of thinking and behavioral strategies that help in development of effective behavioral techniques.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD is characterized by inability to stop or control unwanted thoughts or behavior. OCD leads to troubled thoughts which might range from simply day activities to suicidal tendencies depending on the severity of the case. It is important to distinguish between obsessions and compulsiveness. Obsession encompasses having uncontrollable impulses, behavior of line of thoughts. Compulsiveness on the other hand encompasses strong repetitive and ritualistic actions that are undertaken to make obsessions go away. Different individual show different symptoms e.g. uncontrolled compulsions such as washing of hands over and over, having a constant feeling that once life is in danger from burglars which leads to checking or locking the doors time and time again.
The most common treatment for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a psychological treatment that aims at teaching patients on how to face their obsessions without resulting to compulsions. Other treatments include antidepressants which in most cases is used together with cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and group therapy.
Anxiety/Panic attacks
Panic attacks refer to recurrent episodes of intense fear, terror or apprehension. They are normally brief and rarely last for more than an hour. During these episodes, victims usually undergo intense feelings of dying, losing control, and feeling of impending doom among others. Some patients pass out when the attack is at its peak. Physical symptoms associated with panic attacks include loss of breadth, chest pains, heart palpitations or increase of heart rate (heart beat is either too fast or too hard or both). Anxiety attacks are easily treated, patients should seek medical attention when they exhibit the above symptoms.