Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread and uneasiness. It might cause restlessness, rapid heartbeat and sweat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, a person may feel anxious when he/she has to face 100s of audience or before taking some tests or when there is a necessity to take important decision. Most of the time, a person who is suffering with anxiety disorder tend to experience strong, persistent, excessive worry throughout. ‘WHAT IF’– is the haunting mantra of the affected person.
Anxiety Disorders are different. They are serious medical conditions. They engulf a person’s life with overwhelming fear and anxiety. Anxiety disorders can become a chronic illness, if not treated. Over a period of time, these episodes become frequent and makes the person to be in a very uncomfortable state of mind, as these threats go out of proportion to the real threat. When such episodes lasts for months, seeking help from a mental health professional becomes inevitable and crucial. People affected with anxiety disorders encounter episodes of acute anxiety, fear that shoots up high within minutes.
Symptoms
Physical Signs
- Feeling cold/hot flashes
- Sweat
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Shaking/trembling/twitching
- Pale face
- Shortness of breath/breathlessness
- Sickness in stomach
- No clarity of speech
- Choking
- Head ache, muscle stiffness
Other Signs
- A sense of impending danger
- Destructive thoughts
- Difficulty to concentrate or focus
- Prefer to avoid somebody or situation
- Inability to relax
- Trouble falling asleep or continue the remaining sleep
- Startled
- Irritability
- Need to urinate frequently
All the symptoms given above, need not be experienced by everybody who is affected by GAD. It differs from person to person and a person may experience different symptoms at different situations and at different degrees. That is why a profession evaluation is necessary.
Myths about anxiety
- Caffeine increases anxiety
- Lifestyle changes can cure anxiety
- Anxiety is not an illness
- Anxiety will go on its own
How can we help?
- Behavioural Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- EMDR
- DBT
- Relaxation & Mindfulness
