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Anxiety Treatments, Symptoms, Types, And Causes
Anxiety is a state of worry and fear about a perceived danger or threat. Experienced occasionally, it is generally not a source of concern, but a normal response with no known adverse effects.
What is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorder however is excessive persistent worry and fear in response to a perceived danger or threat, that can lead to chronic stress, vigilance, avoidant or escape behaviours, and other associated symptoms. There are different types of anxiety disorder. Following is a description of some of these:
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder
Intense worry, fear, discomfort and escape/avoidant behaviours are key characteristics of this type of anxiety. When experiencing a panic attack, the following stress symptoms may manifest:
- Fast, maybe irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of smothering
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Feelings of unreality
- Feeling detached
- Fear of losing control, going crazy or dying
- Numbness or tingly feeling
- Excessive perspiration
- Stomach churning or bowels feeling loose
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling dizzy
- Freeze reaction
- Poor appetite
- Hot and cold sweats
- Dry mouth
- Tense or weak muscles
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterised by obsessive worry and fear that can occur in any situation. Commonly reported symptoms include:
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability, tension
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of dread
- Feeling “on edge”
- Inability to relax
- Sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea or trembling and pain
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD develops in response to witnessing or experiencing trauma such as death, abuse or serious injury. In addition to intense worry and fear, symptoms can entail:
- Re-experiencing the trauma
- Stress reaction
- Avoidance
- Hyper-arousal (including hyper-vigilance, anger and irritability)
- Negative alterations in mood and thinking
- Emotional numbing & dissociation
- Emotional dis-regulation
- Interpersonal difficulties or problems in relationships
- Negative self-perception (including feeling diminished, defeated or worthless)
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Social anxiety is characterised by chronic worry and fear of social situations due to a fear of scrutiny. Some situations and effects of this type of anxiety may include:
- Using public facilities (e.g. use of telephone, shopping, or speaking to strangers)
- Avoidance or worry of group activities (e.g. talking in small groups, eating/drinking with others, conducting presentations)
- Fear of embarrassment due to blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent
- Fear that others are watching you
- Fear of criticism & avoidance of eye contact
- Low self-esteem
- Possible sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea or trembling
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is excessive worry and/or fear about having or getting seriously ill. Symptoms may entail:
- Excessive worry or fear about personal health
- Constantly checking body for signs of illness
- Frequent use of healthcare services
- Or, avoiding use of healthcare services due to fear of discovering an illness
- Possible sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea or trembling
Phobia
Phobias are characterised by irrational excessive worry and/or fear about a specific object or situation, that are usually avoided or faced with intense distress, and can lead to typical stress symptoms. The most common type of phobia is agoraphobia that occurs in relation to two or more of the following situations:
- Use of public transport
- Open spaces
- Enclosed spaces
- Shops, theatres, or cinemas
- Standing in line
- Being in crowded places
- Being home alone
Separation Anxiety
This type of anxiety is characterised by persistent and excessive worry and fear of separating from one or more major attachment figures. For example:
- Recurrent excessive distress when expecting or experiencing separation from home or an attachment figure.
- Persistent and excessive fear of losing an attachment figure or fear of them being harmed through illness, injury or death.
- Excessive worry or fear of being separated from an attachment figure due to reasons such as getting lost, being kidnapped, having an accident becoming ill.
- Persistent reluctance or refusal to go away from home, school, work, or elsewhere due to fear of separation.
- Chronic and excessive fear or reluctance of being alone or without attachment figure in various settings.
- Persistent reluctance or refusal to sleep away from home or to sleep without being near attachment figure
It’s quite common for people to experience multiple anxiety disorders. For example, GAD may occur alongside panic disorder and depression.
What are the causes of anxiety disorder?
There are different explanations as to what causes anxiety. Some contend that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, and are often prescribed prescription medicines to restore this ‘imbalance’. However, there was never any clear evidence in the form of tests to prove that a ‘chemical imbalance’ is what causes mental disorders; moreover, a recent systematic review by Moncrieff et al (2022) found that despite widespread belief of this hypothesis there is no evidence that low serotonin levels are associated with the onset of depression. Other biological explanations claim organ dysfunction may be a cause of anxiety disorder.
Alternatively, biopsychoocial approaches claim specific past conflicts/stressors or traumas such as: threats/fears experienced within the territory; fear or loss concerning safety/shelter; abandonment; existence conflicts; accidents; attacks; shocking news; illness diagnoses; violence; abuse; childhood punishment and so forth, cause anxiety disorder, and aim to process these and transform maladaptive perceptions, emotions and behaviours in order to health mental health challenge.
Anxiety Therapy: When to get treatment for anxiety?
If you experience chronic worry and fear that causes distress or significantly impairs your ability to function fully, then it may be time to consider therapeutic support.
What are the treatments for anxiety disorder?
Generally, psychological therapies, prescription medications or self-care are recommended. These may include:
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Applied relaxation therapy
- Counselling
- Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Forgiveness therapy and Wellbeing Therapy are also evidence-based techniques proven to treat anxiety.
Alternative forms of treatment that adopt a holistic approach (e.g. transform mental, emotional, physical and behavioural processes) that can effectively treat anxiety also include:
Self-care strategies are usually recommended in the case of very mild anxiety, or as an adjunct to therapeutic support. They may help you to manage some symptoms of anxiety for a period, however keep in mind that for persistent anxiety it’s necessary to alter patterns of worry and fear, as well as process and address any underlying prior conflicts or stressors. Notwithstanding, following are some self-care techniques that may help:
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Meditation
- Exercise
- Work-life balance
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
- Healthy diet
Summary
Anxiety disorder is a serious mental health condition that can wreak havoc in a person’s life. Unaddressed, it will cause unhappiness, distress, lead to other mental disorders, physical illness, disability, and may even result in premature mortality.
However, anxiety can be healed effectively. No matter the type, duration, or intensity of the problem, there are many effective modalities that can improve the quality of your life.If you have any further questions or queries about anxiety or treatment and support options then feel free to get in touch to book a free consultation.
All the very best,
Sadaf
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