Anxiety Disorder: Meaning, Types, Causes, and Prevention

 

Among the several mental health conditions is anxiety disorder. You could react with anxious feelings to specific things and circumstances if you suffer from an anxiety condition. Also, you may experience physical symptoms of anxiousness including sweating and heart rate fluctuations.

A certain level of anxiousness is normal. If you have to make a big decision, go for an interview, take an exam, or deal with a situation at work, you could feel nervous or anxious. In many cases, stress can even be advantageous since it keeps us alert to potential threats and helps us focus our attention.

However, anxiety disorders are more than just occasional periods of little worry and uncertainty.

Anxiety problems can affect kids, teens, and adults. The probability of having one is approximately twice as high for women and those assigned as female at birth as it is for men and those marked as male.

Managing anxiety problems can make daily tasks challenging. Fortunately, these illnesses have many successful treatments available.

Types of Anxiety Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association lists several different kinds of anxiety disorders. This is the official reference guide for mental health diagnosis. Anxiety disorders come in several forms.

1) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): This illness is characterized by constant feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry. It is characterized by excessive, ongoing, and illogical concern over routine matters like tasks, health, and work obligations.

2) Agoraphobia: The condition produces a severe fear of being overpowered, helpless, or unable to get away or obtain assistance. Agoraphobics frequently stay clear of crowds, strange settings, big, open, or confined spaces, and locations outside of their homes.

3) Panic disorder: This illness is characterized by ongoing, unexpected fear episodes. The fact that these attacks usually happen unexpectedly and aren't brought on by any physical or mental health issue is one of the condition's key characteristics. Agoraphobia interacts with anxiety disorders in certain individuals.

4) Phobias specifics: Phobias are characterized by intense fear or anxiety that severely interferes with daily living regularly. There are a variety of phobias, but practically all of them can be diagnosed with the same condition: particular phobia. The only phobia for which a diagnosis is available is agoraphobia.

5) Social anxiety disorder: Formerly known as social phobia, it is characterized by a determined, strong fear of being negatively examined or observed by others.

6) Separation anxiety disorder: This illness is characterized by extreme anxiety experienced when one separates from a loved one. While separation anxiety is an ordinary phase of development for young children, separation anxiety disorder can also affect adults.

7) Selective agitation: This disorder occurs when you remain silent out of fear or anxiety in particular circumstances. Although it primarily affects young children, adults and adolescents can also be affected.

Anxiety disorders and other mental health diseases have similar characteristics. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How common is Anxiety Disorder?

• Up to 12% of Americans suffer from specific phobias
• Approximately 7% of Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder.

• Roughly 3% of Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder.
• As much as 1.7% of Americans suffer from agoraphobia.
• Separation anxiety disorder affects approximately 4 percent of children, 1.6% of adolescents, and up to 1.9% of adults.

• Selective genetic anxiety disorder is the most prevalent type. It affects between 0.47% and 0.76% of Americans.

What causes Anxiety Disorder?

As with other mental health conditions, researchers are uncertain of the exact source of anxiety disorders However, they believe that many variables are involved:

1. Chemical imbalances: 

Anxiety is influenced by many hormones and neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemical imbalances may have a role in the development of anxiety disorders.

2. Brain alterations: 

The amygdala, a region of the brain, is essential for controlling anxiety and fear. According to studies, the amygdala becomes more active in response to anxiety signals in individuals with anxiety disorders.

3. Genetics: 

Anxiety problems usually run in families through birth. This suggests that genetics might be involved. You might have a higher chance of developing one if you have a first-degree relative—a biological parent or other close relative.

4. Environmental factors: 

The brain chemical balance that regulates your mood can be altered by prolonged or severe stress. Long-term interaction with high levels of stress can exacerbate anxiety disorders. Stressful events might also set off anxiety problems.

How are Anxiety Disorder Diagonized

As with other mental health conditions, researchers are uncertain of the exact source of anxiety disorders.

See a healthcare professional if you or your child are showing signs of an anxiety problem. First, a medical evaluation will be conducted. In addition to doing a physical examination, they will ask about your medical history, current medications, and any family members who may have had anxiety disorder diagnoses.

Anxiety disorders cannot be diagnosed by imaging scans or blood testing. However, some of these tests might be performed by your doctor to rule out medical disorders like hyperactivity that could be the source of your symptoms. 

Your doctor can suggest seeing a mental health specialist if there isn't a medical explanation for the problem.

A psychologist psychiatrist, or other mental health expert, will conduct an interview or survey and inquire about your symptoms, sleeping patterns, and other behaviors. They make the diagnosis of anxiety disorders based on the DSM-5 criteria published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders need to be treated just like any other medical problem. It cannot be wished away. It is irrelevant to attitude or self-control. In the past few decades, researchers have made significant advances in the treatment of mental health issues. Your healthcare practitioner will create a personalized treatment plan. Psychotherapy and medicine may be used in combination as part of your plan.

Medication for Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders cannot be cured by medication. However, they may reduce your symptoms and enhance your ability to perform. Some medications used to treat anxiety disorders include the following ones:

1. Antidepressants: 

Although they can also be used to treat anxiety disorders, these medications are mostly used to treat depression. They modify the way your brain uses specific chemicals to elevate your mood and lessen stress. Since antidepressants may not start working right away, attempt to be patient.

2. Benzodiazepines: 

These medications can reduce anxiety, panic, and worry. They take effect fast, but you can become flexible with them. You must use caution when using them because they have the potential to become compulsive. Your doctor might give you a short-term benzodiazepine medication and then gradually wean you off of it.

3. Beta-blockers: 

These drugs might lessen some of the physical signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as trembling, shaking, and an accelerated heartbeat. The psychological components of anxiety disorders are not treated by them.

You and your healthcare practitioner will work together to decide on the right medication dosage and combination. Consult your healthcare professional before stopping or adjusting the amount taken of any medications.

Prevention of Anxiety Disorder

There's no known treatment to stop anxiety disorders at the moment. However, with therapy, many of the associated problems can be minimized. Your life will be less disrupted if you get care as soon as symptoms start to show.

Anxiety disorders can cause major consequences if left untreated, such as:

• Reducing life quality and social challenges.
• Problems related to substance use, particularly alcoholism.
• Severe depression.
• Suicide (while experiencing extreme anxiety).

Also, having constant anxiety raises your chance of cardiac events, such as a heart attack.

You must get treatment if you have an anxiety problem because of this. The course of treatment works. Your relationships, productivity, and quality of life can all be enhanced with the correct medical care. Additionally, it might enhance your overall health.

Conclusion

Excessive and constant stress or fear that may seriously interfere with day-to-day functioning is a feature of anxiety disorders, which include diseases like social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Genetic, environmental, and psychological factors combine to cause these diseases, which frequently show symptoms including restlessness, fast heartbeat, and trouble concentrating. 

Good therapies can help control symptoms and enhance quality of life. These include medication, therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), and lifestyle modifications. To lessen the long-term effects of anxiety disorders, early detection, and complete attention are essential.