Anxiety Disorders Symptoms

It's normal to experience anxiety and apprehension from time to time. If these feelings are persistent and are affecting your daily routine, then you might have an anxiety disorder.

A healthcare professional can assist you in finding an appropriate treatment that matches your needs. This can include antianxiety or psychotherapy, as well as natural remedies like exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep.

1. Worry and Fear

Everyone feels anxiety and fear from time to time -- it's normal to experience our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. If the feeling is extreme, doesn't disappear, and it interferes with your daily activities it could be an indication of anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a chat with you, a physical exam and urine or blood tests, and inquires about your past health. You could also be asked to complete questionnaires that will aid your doctor in determining if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, for example have a tendency to worry excessively and unintentionally about everyday events even though there is no threat to their lives. They also have trouble sleeping or relaxing. Other symptoms include a fast, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations) as well as sweating and trembling. People with panic disorder have frequent episodes of intense terror or fear that rise to a peak within minutes, and they have difficulties managing their emotions. They usually try to avoid certain locations or activities to prevent these attacks from occurring.

People who suffer from phobias have intense fears of certain things, like snakes or flying. They might have other symptoms as well, such as difficulty breathing or headaches. People suffering from PTSD experience anxiety after witnessing or experiencing traumatizing events like a war, or car crash. They may experience other symptoms too, like nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event.

Other anxiety disorders include the ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder), hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder. These disorders cause you to feel anxious when in social situations. You may also experience anxiety about a particular health issue, which is known as illness anxiety disorder. Other causes of anxiety include stress and an imbalance in the chemical system of your brain. Certain medications can trigger anxiety as a side effect.

2. Panic Attacks

Although everyone is nervous or scared at some point, those suffering from anxiety disorders are prone to recurring sensations of anxiety and fear that are not in line with their circumstances. These feelings can trigger intense physical reactions, including a racing heartbeat as well as a shortness of breath and nausea. It is also possible to feel disconnected or unreal.

While anyone can suffer from a panic disorder, it's more common to experience it in adolescence, childhood or in the early years of adulthood. There are many factors that can trigger it, including prolonged or extreme stress that triggers chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system. Traumas that are severe, especially during adolescence or childhood can increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Panic attacks can be triggered for no apparent reason or in response to a particular event that causes you to be afraid like being in large numbers of people. They differ from normal feelings of anxiety because they involve much more intense symptoms and are usually unexpected. People with anxiety disorders may also experience a mix of expected and unanticipated panic attacks.

Talking therapies and medication are the most popular treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Talking therapies can help you understand how to manage your anxiety and overcome unfounded beliefs that cause anxiety. They can also teach you to relax by doing exercises like deep breathing and mindfulness. Certain medications, like duloxetine, SNRIs and SSRIs such as duloxetine and venlafaxine, may aid in reducing anxiety and panic.

If you experience a frequent panic attack, you need to see your doctor and seek immediate treatment. Your doctor will determine whether you have other health conditions that cause similar symptoms, and may suggest alternative treatments.

3. Insomnia

If people are stressed they may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during the night. This is generalized anxiety disorder a disability referred to as insomnia. It can be a temporary issue or a long-term. Sleep deprivation makes it difficult to make it through the day, and can cause serious health problems. It is more common among older adults and is more common in women than men. It is also more common in those with psychiatric issues.

Insomnia can be caused by many different causes. Sleep is affected by illnesses that are temporary such as headaches or colds and chronic conditions like acid reflux, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and medications. Stressful life situations can also be a cause. Around half of people who suffer from chronic insomnia suffer from mental health issues that is most often depression or anxiety.

A doctor will first look for physical causes. They will check your medical history and ask about the symptoms making it harder to sleep. They'll also want to know if any of the medications you are taking are affecting it. They may also conduct a sleep study to ensure they can track your breathing and heart rate at night.

The most effective treatment of insomnia is behavioral therapy. It assists you in changing the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also teaches you ways to relax before you go to bed. There are a variety of methods to do this, like progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and meditation. Your doctor can assist you to find a therapist to teach you the techniques. If you find that behavioral therapy does not work then you can explore a range of medications to help you sleep better. These include benzodiazepines, which can be used to ease symptoms temporarily and can also be used as an antidepressant and anxiety medication.

4. Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with weight, body shape and food, as well eating habits like restricting eating, binge eating purging (through vomiting or laxative misuse) and compulsive exercise. A lot of people suffering from an eating disorder have anxiety. The same holds applicable to those who suffer from mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or depression. Combined, the two conditions can create a vicious cycle in which a person's mood issues can exacerbate the symptoms of their eating disorder.

There is a strong link between anxiety and the severity of eating disorders. Higher levels of anxiety symptoms are linked to the disorder. Anorexia nervosa sufferers are more likely to suffer from high levels of anxiety-related symptoms. The same holds true for bulimia, binge-eating disorders, or the condition known as bulimia. In some cases, anxiety can be the primary cause of an eating disorder. In others, it may be a secondary manifestation of an eating disorder.

In one study, researchers discovered that depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly related to more severe symptoms of eating disorders in young females. The team of researchers used an assessment of four items known as the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, which evaluates the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders Questionnaire and depression. They also analyzed the severity of an eating disorder and asked participants to rate how they cope with anxiety.

The authors of the study also examined three variables that could be a reason for the connection between eating disorders and anxiety self-esteem, perfectionist tendencies and mood dysregulation. These factors moderated the relationship between anxiety/depression and eating disorder symptoms however in different ways depending on the subgroups. They hope that the results will lead them to more precise and targeted treatment of eating disorders.

5. Physical Conditions that are a result of anxiety

The majority of people experience feelings of anxiety at one point in time, but it becomes a disorder when it's severe and causes problems with daily living. Some people may be experiencing physical symptoms, such as chest pain or stomach discomfort in relation to the type of anxiety they are experiencing.

The best treatment can help people live happier and healthier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very common type. CBT helps you recognize and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety and fear. It also teaches you to confront the fears that scare you and overcome your fears through small steps.

The use of medication can also be beneficial. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and Valium can help reduce anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants, like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants, are also available for prescription. These medications are used to treat anxiety disorders by themselves or together with other treatments.

Certain medical conditions can trigger anxiety, and they may even have the same symptoms as anxiety disorders. Head trauma can trigger depression and anxiety for instance. Other conditions that can cause anxiety include chronic fatigue, chronic pain and rheumatologic conditions such as Lupus, as well as some nutritional deficiencies.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. Some are genetic, like the family history of anxiety disorders. Other factors, like the abuse of children or a history of depression or other mental health issues or a buildup of stress over a long time, can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. For these reasons, it is essential to undergo a thorough physical exam if you are suffering from anxiety.