It is natural for a person to feel anxiety or panic from time to time, but if the feeling of anxiety is repeated frequently without any real reason to the extent that it impedes the normal daily course of life, then it is likely that this person suffers from an anxiety disorder, this disorder causes excessive and unrealistic anxiety And a sense of fear, which exceeds what can be considered a normal reaction to a particular situation.
Types of anxiety
Anxiety falls under several different types, which include the following
Agoraphobia: Fear of squares and being in public places.
Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition: It is a type of anxiety that comes as a result of a medical problem and a specific health condition.
Generalized anxiety disorder: Excessive anxiety about doing any activity or engaging in any events, even routine.
Panic disorder: It is a series of anxiety and fear that reaches its maximum levels within a few minutes, and the person with this type of anxiety may feel shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and chest pain.
Selective mutism: It is the failure of children to speak in specific situations, such as: being at school.
Separation anxiety: It is a childhood disorder characterized by fear and anxiety of separation from parents.
Social phobia: Fear of engaging in social events, feeling shy, and lacking self-confidence.
Symptoms of anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety differ from one case to another, whether in terms of the quality of the different symptoms or in terms of their severity. Symptoms of anxiety include:
Headache.
Nervousness or tension.
Feeling of a lump in the throat.
Difficulty concentrating.
Tired.
Irritability and impatience.
confusion.
Sensation of muscle tension.
Insomnia.
excessive sweating
shortness of breath
abdominal pain
diarrhea.
An anxious person may feel very worried about their own security and the safety of their loved ones, or they may have a feeling that something bad is going to happen even when there is no perceived danger. An anxiety attack usually begins at a relatively early age.
Causes and risk factors for anxiety
As is the case with most mental disorders, it is not entirely clear what is causing the anxiety disorder, as researchers believe that natural chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as: serotonin and noradrenaline, affect the occurrence of these disorders.
Causes of anxiety
It can be assumed that this problem has a variety of causes, including the following cases
panic disorder
Dark anxiety disorder.
Phobia disorder.
stress disorder
Infection with some diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
risk factors for anxiety
There are factors that can increase the risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder, and they include the following:
1. A rough childhood
Children who have experienced difficulties or distress in their childhood, including being witnesses to traumatic events, such as: serious diseases such as cancer, may have an anxiety attack, or fear of the future and what it holds, such as the economic situation.
2. Psychological stress
The accumulation of psychological tension as a result of tense and stressful situations in life may generate a feeling of acute anxiety, for example: a disease that requires absence from work, which causes a loss of wages and income that would cause psychological tension, and thus a generalized anxiety disorder.
3. Personality
People with certain personal advantages may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder, and people with psychological needs that are not met as they should, such as: being in an unsatisfactory emotional relationship may feel insecure, which makes them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
4. Genetic factors
Having a genetic family history of generalized anxiety disorder makes it genetically transmitted from one generation to the next.
Anxiety complications
Anxiety disorder causes the sufferer more than just a sense of anxiety, as it may cause him or exacerbate difficult and serious illnesses, and may include:
Resorting to the use of addictive substances.
Insomnia and feeling depressed.
Digestive or intestinal disorders.
headache.
grinding of teeth
Anxiety diagnosis
For a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, they must meet the following criteria:
An intense feeling of intense anxiety and apprehension every day for at least six months.
Difficulty coping with and resisting anxiety.
Feeling an anxiety attack accompanied by a number of specific symptoms, such as: feeling nervous and tense, difficulty concentrating, feeling muscle tension and tightness, and sleep disturbances.
Feeling an anxiety attack that generates a feeling of acute distress that impedes the normal and normal course of life.
Feeling anxious that is not related to other medical conditions or health problems, such as: panic attack, or the use of addictive substances.
Anxiety treatment
Anxiety treatment consists of two main treatments: pharmacological treatment and psychological treatment, each separately or both together. There may be a need for periods of trial and error in order to determine the most appropriate and effective eye treatment for a specific patient and the treatment with which the patient feels comfortable and reassured. The treatment can be explained as follows:
1. Pharmacological treatment of anxiety
There are various types of pharmacological treatment for anxiety aimed at relieving the side effects of anxiety that accompany an anxiety disorder, including:
Anti-anxiety drugs: Benzodiazepines are sedatives that have the advantage of relieving anxiety within 30-90 minutes.
Antidepressant drugs: These drugs affect the work of neurotransmitters, which are known to play an important role in the emergence and development of anxiety disorders, such as Fluoxetine.
2. Psychological treatment for anxiety
Psychological treatment for anxiety involves receiving help and support from mental health workers and through talking and listening.
Anxiety prevention
Good sleep habits can help prevent insomnia and promote sound sleep, and the following factors may also help prevent it:
Keep your bedtime and wake-up time consistent from day to day, including weekends.
Stay active. Regular activity helps promote a good night''s sleep.
Check your medications to see if they are contributing to your insomnia.
Avoid or limit naps.
Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol, and don''t use nicotine.
Avoid large meals and drinks before bed.
Make your bedroom comfortable for sleeping and only use it for sex or sleeping.
Do relaxing bedtime activities such as taking a warm bath, reading, or listening to soft music.
