Anxiety
Overview
A certain level of anxiety in a stressful situation is normal. It is when this condition becomes persistent, hard to control, or disproportionate relative to the stressor that it can be regarded as a mental health disorder that needs to be medically attended. Anxiety is a very common disorder found mostly in young adults. If causing disturbances in daily life, it is important to see a mental health expert in order to effectively manage this condition.
Causes
The cause of these disorders is not clear. It may be due to underlying medical illness (diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, drug abuse or withdrawal etc). This state of mind without any underlying cause may be in people with certain pre-disposing risk factors:
- Hereditary factors
- Personality type
- Stressful or traumatic life events
- Other psychological disorders
- Stress caused by any illness
- Drug or alcohol addiction
Symptoms
There are several types of anxiety disorders: social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder etc. Some of the common ways in which these disorders may manifest include:
- Intense nervousness, irritability or restlessness
- Severely tensed moods
- The occurrence of panic attacks (Sweating, trembling, palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing)
- Inability to focus on daily activities and tasks
- Sleeping problems
- Disturbance of bowel habits
- Avoidance of triggers that induce this condition
Diagnosis
A primary care physician can rule out any underlying cause behind your state of mind. However, a psychiatrist or psychotherapist needs to perform a thorough psychological evaluation to conclude a diagnosis. Psychotherapist Eric Mason of Lighthouse Human Services & Consulting explains that people who are suffering from anxiety often might not be diagnosed with a mental illness, just they are experiencing a “bump in the road” and just a few sessions of speaking with a therapist can be massively beneficial.
Treatment
The main strategy to deal with this mental disorder is psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective. Anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and other classes of psychotherapeutic drugs can also be utilized.
