Some of the obvious ways people experience anxiety are feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty concentrating, and struggling with a myriad of thoughts. It is a normal stress reaction. However, a mild form of anxiety helps stay alert and prepared.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders people suffer from. It is beyond feeling nervous. If left untreated, it can make people avoid circumstances and situations they fear would trigger or worsen their anxiety.
The Reason behind Anxiety Disorder
The part of the brain that controls fear response plays some role in anxiety disorders. It can be genetic as well. So, genes paired with external factors and stress cause anxiety. Having a hard childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood are the most common triggers for anxiety disorder. It includes emotional or physical abuse in the past.
People seek therapy to find relief from anxiety symptoms. However, if therapy alone does not seem sufficient, medicinal intervention may still be necessary. Therefore, in addition to receiving therapy, patients may purchase Clonazepam tablets online for anxiety under a doctor’s prescription.
Anxiety Disorder Types
There are 5 main types of anxiety disorders:
Panic Disorder
A panic attack is the key symptom of panic disorder. It is an overwhelming amalgamation of extreme physical and psychological distress. A person has a pounding heartbeat, sweating, trembling, dizziness, nausea, feelings of losing control or fear of dying, hot flashes or chills, numbing, chest pain, etc. A panic attack involves many of these symptoms occurring together.
Owing to the severity of the symptoms, those with panic disorder think they have a life-threatening disease or having a stroke.
Phobia
Having a persistent or excessive fear of an activity, object, or situation is called a specific phobia. These fears can cause so much distress that people go to extreme levels to avoid facing their fears. Patients cannot overcome their fear despite knowing it is excessive. Social phobia or social anxiety is when a person fears getting looked down or embarrassed in a gathering. Agoraphobia is where a person fears not being able to escape from a situation or not getting help if need be.
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are disturbing as one finds himself helpless in controlling the irrational thoughts that follow and reoccur repeatedly. They cause uncontrollable anxiety. Some common obsessions include nagging doubts, obsession with cleanliness/dirt/germs, or a need to have or set things in a specific order.
People with OCD, to reduce these obsessions, are found indulging in repeated behaviour like constantly checking things, having doubts, washing hands repeatedly, and following strict rules. This can be disruptive to daily life and relationships.
PTSD – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Those who have gone through a severe physical or emotional ordeal experience Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These individuals have intrusive memories, repeated nightmares, and even flashbacks of the event as it’s happening again. PTSD patients suffer extreme distress and go to extreme lengths to avoid these situations that make them recall the trauma. Doctors prescribe Clonazepam tablets online for anxiety.
GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with GAD suffer from severe tension that hinders routine life. They constantly feel worried and helpless to control themselves from worrying so much. Their worries surround family health, jobs, or even trivial matters like doctor appointments, car repair, or home chores. GAD patients have trouble sleeping, feel shaky and weak, and suffer from muscle tension and headaches.
Having discussed the different types of anxiety disorders, let’s talk about anxiety facts not many have heard of:
Facts about Anxiety
Here are a few facts about anxiety you should know about:
- Anxiety Can Lead to Memory Issues
Those suffering from anxiety have a hard time staying in the present moment and are often forgetful. Those with GAD struggle with worry and the inability to control it. And this worrying stress is usually about something that has not happened yet. The stress is about future problems that have not even presented themselves yet.
- Anxiety Could Be Genetic
Have you ever wondered why some people survive traumatic events without any effect on their well-being while others develop GAD or PTSD? Genetics. Anxiety disorders run in families, too, with people having anxious temperaments. Studies have found that people who have anxiety in the family are likely to develop anxiety once exposed to stressful events.
- Anxiety Leads to Physical Symptoms
Anxiety affects focus and concentration. It also causes frustration, irritability, and restlessness. At the same time, it causes a few other symptoms, like shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and hot flashes. Those experiencing a panic attack rush to the emergency room, thinking they are having a heart attack.
- Anxiety & Depression are Connected
Many times, anxiety is a trigger of depression. Studies reveal that women with GAD are more susceptible to developing depression. Those with chronic depression develop anxiety symptoms due to the mental exhaustion that comes with depression.
- Anxiety Can Make You Angry
It’s a lesser-known side effect, but true nonetheless. Anxiety makes you angry. Feeling angry when you are powerless over a situation and feel your life is out of your control is a natural response.
- Anxiety Leads to Cold Hand & Feet
Our body’s flight or fight response kicks in whenever we feel anxious. During this, the blood flow from the hands and feet is redirected towards the vital organs, making the hands and feet cold.
- Exercise Helps Lessen Anxiety
Plenty of studies have shown how exercise lessens the symptoms of anxiety. A single workout is an instant mood booster. A short jog or a quick walk around the block is enough.
- Anxiety Often Has Roots in Childhood
CDC reports that about 7% of children aged 3-17 happen to have diagnosed anxiety. However, they are not able to communicate it. So, they show their symptoms via complaints like stomach aches, headaches, and temper tantrums.
Anxiety is a natural response to situations. It can keep you safe and alert. However, when it begins to interfere with the quality of life, seek medical assistance at your earliest.
