Understanding Anxiety & How to Manage Anxiety Disorder
Although a commonly used term, ‘anxiety’ can manifest in different shapes and forms in our lives. Sometimes it’s the stress of an upcoming exam or a job interview, sometimes it’s the stress of planning a big family event, and sometimes it’s the fear of an unknown future that can give you sleepless nights. So when is anxiety manageable and when should you reach out to a professional and seek help? Let’s understand in detail.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety in simple terms is our body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what will happen in the future. While our body’s instinct to protect us from foreseeable danger is a useful power if unchecked it can cause serious problems if it starts hampering our daily life.
Anxiety disorder is the most common mental disorder affecting Americans. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), around 40 million people in the United States have an anxiety disorder. Making it the most common group of mental illnesses in the country. However, only 36.9% of people with an anxiety disorder receive treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?
Symptoms of anxiety can vary from person to person and can range from a feeling of uneasiness and butterflies in the stomach to a racing heart. Common symptoms include:
- A feeling of nervousness or restlessness
- Sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Weakness or tiredness
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Difficulty in controlling worry
- Urge to avoid things that can trigger anxiety
What causes Anxiety?
Like most mental health conditions it is difficult to ascertain the exact cause of an anxiety disorder. Common causes can be a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological and developmental factors surrounding a person.
- Chemical imbalances: Several neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin, and dopamine, play a role in anxiety. Imbalances in these chemicals can contribute to anxiety disorder.
- Brain changes: The Amygdala, a part of our brain plays an important role in managing fear and anxiety. According to studies, people with anxiety disorders show increased activity in the amygdala in response to anxiety cues.
- Genetic Factors: Anxiety sometimes runs in biological families. One may be at an increased risk of developing anxiety if they have a biological parent or sibling with an anxiety disorder.
- Environmental factors: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the balance of neurotransmitters that control our moods. Experiencing a traumatic event also seems to trigger anxiety disorders.
When should you see a doctor?
Experiencing stress from time to time is inevitable but if constant fear and anxiety start to impact your daily life it’s advisable to consult a doctor or practitioner who can help you manage anxiety. You can book a consultation at Ohio Pshyicatric Services and TMS Centre if you are experiencing any of the symptoms below:
- If you’re worrying too much and the stress is interfering with your work, relationships and other aspects of your life
- If the fear, worry or anxiety seems to be too difficult to control
- If you feel depressed or have trouble with alcohol or drug use
- If you think your anxiety is linked to a physical health problem
- If you have any suicidal thoughts or behaviours — in this case, seek emergency treatment immediately
According to the American Psychiatric Association, women are more likely than men to experience anxiety disorders.
How is Anxiety Disorder treated?
The first step to proceed towards managing anxiety is seeing an experienced medical professional.
At Ohio Pshyicatric Services and TMS Centre, we evaluate the symptoms you are facing and understand your personal and family history to create customised treatment plans to help you combat anxiety. The goal of the treatment is to reduce feelings of worry and fear and help you develop healthy coping strategies that allow you to respond to stressors realistically. Medications in combination with counselling and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be prescribed for effective treatment and results.
TMS treatment can help with alleviating certain types of anxiety including OCD. Counselling can help you process underlying experiences that contribute to anxiety while helping you learn to calm your mind.