What is the difference between anxiety disorders and normal anxiety? You can learn more to help you seek professional assistance and solutions if necessary.
Everybody experiences anxiety at some point. Some people feel anxious constantly. How do we tell if it's a problem or not? This guide will answer your questions about "Do I suffer from an anxiety disorder?" and "Why do anxiety attacks occur?"
What is anxiety? Anxiety can be described as nervousness, worry, or unease. For example, the feeling you have before a final exam or an important presentation at work. However, this "good anxiety" motivates you to prepare for the future. When the event that caused you to worry is over (for instance, your final exam or presentation), you stop worrying.
Stress can cause anxiety. "It protects you and alerts you to possible dangers," Susan Zachariah explains. She is a Consultant at the Institute of Mental Health's Department of General Psychiatry. If a person experiences physical discomforts, such as a fast heartbeat or giddiness, or is so affected that they call in sick or do not attend the event that caused the worry, that could indicate an anxiety disorder.
Dr. Zachariah advises that professional help may be needed when anxiety interferes with a person's day-to-day life and relationships.
Related: Understanding Anxiety
What Anxiety Feels LikeAnxiety disorder is a spectrum of disorders, including panic attacks. Dr. Zachariah defines a manic episode as "a strange physical sensation that makes you feel like passing out." You feel uncomfortable in your stomach, your heart is racing, you are short of breath, and your body gets hot and sweaty or cold and clammy. These symptoms are intense but only last a short time. The symptoms last 10 minutes and occur every time you wake up.
People who have had a panic disorder often describe it as if they were "going to die." When a person has had a panic disorder for more than a month, it is considered a diagnosis.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is another condition that causes constant worry and fear. You may experience breathlessness and a rapid heartbeat. The symptoms may last all day. GAD is diagnosed when the symptoms recur for more than six months.
Related: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders can also include:
A phobia is a fear that is extreme or irrational. Examples include the fear of heights (acrophobia), insects (entomophobia), open spaces (agoraphobia), and people who are not your race (xenophobia).
Social phobia is a condition where people feel uncomfortable in social situations. They may be uncomfortable giving a speech or attending social events. They will do anything to avoid them. They believe that others are watching them.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: This is caused by the overwhelming stress of a traumatic experience such as an earthquake, a natural disaster, or a tragic accident.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is the urge to perform certain rituals or check things repeatedly. Singapore has a high OCD rate. One out of every 33 Singaporeans may suffer from OCD.
You can have more than one of these conditions.
Anxiety Disorders: Root Causes
There is evidence that genes are involved in anxiety disorders. When we examine patients' family history, it is common to find a first-degree relative with an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder such as depression.
Biological reasons (such as chemical imbalances) and environmental ones exist. A child who grew up with a strict, demanding father may feel the same way when working under a supervisor similar to his father.
Seeking Treatment
The good news is that anxiety disorders can be treated. "Our brain is capable of changing with the right learning and therapy. A patient can recover if the disease is diagnosed early and treated properly. Around 60 to 70% of patients recover and can lead normal lives," Dr Zachariah says.
Seeking help is the key. Untreated anxiety disorders can cause depression and other complications. When anxiety affects a person's mood, work performance, and social relationships chronically, they should seek professional assistance.
When to Get Help
Being anxious is not enough:
Anxiety Disorder
Concerned about the hygiene of her baby, a mother washes their hands every time they touch her child.
She washes so much that her hands are sore. Her water bill is high, and she also buys a lot of hand soap. She often forgets to feed her child because she is so busy cleaning.
At first, you feel uncomfortable because you do not know anyone. You settle down and start to relax.
When you enter a party, you feel uncomfortable. You have the feeling that everyone is watching what you say and wear. You feel shaky, dizzy, and your heart is racing. The symptoms persist even after leaving the premises.
You become nervous before an interview. The symptoms are mild, such as slight stomach discomfort or an increased heart rate. However, they do not last. After the interview, you may feel relieved or disappointed, but you will no longer be nervous.
You feel dizzy and giddy. You feel so ill that you decide to skip the interview.
How to reduce anxiety:
You can reduce anxiety by:
The majority of patients are treated in an outpatient setting. Dr. Zachariah says patients often complain about stress and sleeping problems during their first visit. Other symptoms may include "my heart feels heavy," "my chest feels heavy," and "my throat feels dried."
The psychiatrist will assess the patient's symptoms during the consultation to determine if they are similar to anxiety disorders.
A psychologist is consulted to manage anxiety disorders. You may be asked to start medication or attend therapy sessions.
Most well-treated patients will see signs of improvement in two to three weeks. Dr. Zachariah says that if they continue their treatment, they will "get back up on their feet" within one year.
Related:
o Have a good sleep pattern
o Limit your alcohol intake
o Eat a balanced diet
o Drink coffee in moderation
o Exercise regularly
You can reduce anxiety by talking to someone and trying relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or other activities you enjoy.
