How can I define an Anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is something more than depression and an abnormal reaction to danger. Our body’s automatic fight-or-flight response increases when we feel under pressure, threatened, or face a challenging condition like a job interview, first date, exams, etc.
Anxiety is not a bad thing to experience all the time; it can help in some situations. Like, your stress can help you stay focused and motivate you to solve problems in certain conditions.
But when it is overwhelming or constant – when fears and worries interfere with your personal life – it is time you need immediate medical help.
Since anxiety disorders are related to emotional conditions rather than a single disease, their signs and symptoms may vary. One patient may get panicky at the thought of mingling at a party, while another suffers from sudden attacks that strike without warning. When an anxious patient struggles with uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts, another one may live in a state of tension and worry at the same time.

Do I have any anxiety disorders?

Here are some most common signs & symptoms of anxiety disorders. You should go for medical help if any of these symptoms don’t go away.
Behavioral patterns that can refer to an anxiety disorder:

• Constantly worried, tense, or on edge;
• A fear that interferes with your school, work, and family;
• If you think that something terrible will happen if certain things are not done a certain way;
• You are plagued by a fear that you know is irrational but can’t shake;
• We avoid daily life activities or situations because they can cause Anxiety;
• You experience sudden and unexpected panic attacks, etc.

 Signs & Symptoms of  Anxiety 

In addition to the primary symptom of irrational or excessive worry and fear, other common symptoms of this emotional condition include;

• Watching for signs of danger;
• The feeling of dread or apprehensive;
• Anticipating the worst;
• Feeling jumpy and tense;
• Trouble concentrating;
• Irritability;
• Feeling like your brain is gone blank, etc.

But an anxiety disorder or severe Anxiety is more than just a feeling. As a result of our body’s fight-or-flight response, this condition also involves several physical conditions like;

• Sweating;
• Pounding heart;
• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Stomach upset;
• Diarrhea or frequent urination;
• Muscle tension or twitching;
• Shaking or trembling, etc.
  If you experience any symptoms of these situations, contact your doctor immediately.

How to define an Anxiety attack?

Anxiety attacks or panic attacks are episodes of intense panic and fear. They usually occur suddenly without warning. Sometimes they may appear in situations like when you think about an important speech you have to deliver or are stuck in an elevator.
They usually peak within 10 minutes and rarely last more than half-hour. But in this short period, you may experience severe terror and feel that you are about to die.
Symptoms of panic attacks include;

• The feeling of craziness or losing control;
• The surge of overwhelming panic;
• Chest pain or heart palpitation;
• Feeling like will be no more;
• Shocking sensation or trouble breathing;
• Hyperventilation;
• Stomach cramps or nausea;
• Feeling unreal, etc.

It is good to take help if you’re beginning to avoid some situations because you’re afraid of having an anxiety attack. The truth is that these attacks are highly treatable with drugs like Xanax in just 5 to 8 sessions.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized anxiety disorder or GAD
• Panic disorder and Panic attacks
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Phobias and irrational fears
• Social anxiety disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Separation anxiety disorder

When to seek a doctor’s help for anxiety symptoms?

Though self-help techniques for Anxiety can be beneficial, if your fears, worries, or anxiety attacks have become so powerful that they’re causing extreme disruption in your daily routine, it’s crucial to seek professional help
If you’re experiencing several physical anxiety symptoms, you should start with a medical checkup. Your healthcare advisor will check to ensure that your problem isn’t caused by a medical condition, like a thyroid problem, asthma, or hypoglycemia.

Since certain medications and supplements can produce Anxiety, your doctor will also need to know about prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs you’re taking. If your provider rules out a medical cause, the next step is to consult with a specialist or therapist who has experience preventing anxiety disorders. Your therapist will work with you to examine the cause and type of anxiety disorder.

What are the tests that diagnose Anxiety?

In most cases, a single test cannot diagnose Anxiety. Instead, an anxiety diagnosis needs a lengthy process of physical examinations, psychological questionnaires, and mental health evaluations.
Professionals may conduct a physical exam like urine or blood tests to determine an underlying medical condition that may be a reason behind the Anxiety. Also, several other anxiety tests and scales are there to help your psychiatrist assess the level and type of your Anxiety.

What are the available treatments for Anxiety?

Once you or anyone in your family is diagnosed with Anxiety, you can explore treatment options with your healthcare provider. In some cases or for people with mild anxiety symptoms, medical treatments are not necessarily required. Lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms.
Treatment for Anxiety falls into two major categories: psychotherapy and medicine.

Psychotherapy: Meeting with a therapist can help you learn tools and strategies to cope with anxiety symptoms.

Medications: Medications that are used to treat anxiety symptoms include benzodiazepines, sedatives, and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines like Xanax are the best treatment for different types of Anxiety.

The Bottom Line
Anxiety is a fear of failure that people may experience in some critical situations. It is a treatable psychological condition that can
managed by using drugs like Xanax and observing psychotherapies.

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