9 . What Your Parents Taught You About What Is Anxiety And Symptoms
Everyone feels anxious at times, but if it is severe and persistent you may be suffering from a mental disorder. You may seek treatment for your symptoms.
The treatment options include psychotherapy (or «talk therapy») and medication. The use of medication can help reduce the anxiety and fear. Consult your physician to find out which medication is suitable for you.
Signs and symptoms
It is normal to be anxious at times. This feeling is usually gone when the source of anxiety is eliminated. It is recommended to consult a physician if your anxiety or nervousness is severe or affects your daily activities. They can assist you in determining the cause of your symptoms and determine whether you have an anxiety disorder.
There are many different kinds of anxiety disorders. Each has specific symptoms. Generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder are some of the most prevalent. Other disorders include social anxiety disorder (formerly called hypochondria) agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Selective Mutism is a type of anxiety disorder that makes you avoid speaking in certain situations, even though you can speak normally in other situations, and it mostly affects children. People who have more than one anxiety disorder often have symptoms of all three at the same time.
The signs of anxiety can differ for every person and may affect the entire body or a specific part. Some symptoms can be extremely physical, such as a fast pulse or a choking sensation. Other symptoms are more emotional, like feeling overwhelmed or out of control.
Anxiety disorders are quite common, but they can be treated. Your healthcare provider will start by asking you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also employ an instrument to gauge the intensity of your symptoms and how long they’ve been lasting. Your provider may also run tests to identify an issue with your body that could be causing them, such as an asthma or thyroid issue.
Psychotherapy, or «talk therapy» and sometimes medications can help people with anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy are both kinds of talk therapy that can assist you in learning better ways to think and behave in a way that you’re less worried. Beta-blockers, antidepressants, and medications that help to calm the central nervous system are all used to combat anxiety. There are also natural treatments to help ease the symptoms of anxiety, such as meditation and exercise. You should also try to reduce your intake of caffeine, which can increase your symptoms and disrupt your sleep patterns.
Diagnosis
Anxiety symptoms can be confused with other mental health disorders. A medical professional must carefully evaluate you to make an appropriate diagnosis. Your doctor will inquire about your present and past symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may also use questionnaires to help identify specific kinds of anxiety disorders. To find the correct diagnosis the health professional could refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). This is the standard reference for diagnosing mental illness.
A medical professional will typically determine the physical cause of the symptoms, like an issue with the heart or an infection. They may suggest urine or blood tests to determine if there are medical reasons. Based on the symptoms you are experiencing they may also suggest a mental health test or physical symptoms of anxiety and depression exam.
Anxiety symptoms can include difficulty concentrating and muscle tension or feeling anxious or easily tired. Some people have difficulty sleeping. The doctor might prescribe anticonvulsants or antidepressants to treat epilepsy. A small dose of an antipsychotic medication, such as buspirone (BuSpar) can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Psychotherapy is also an option by talking to a mental health specialist and learning how to change your ways of thinking.
People suffering from anxiety disorders are at a higher-risk for certain diseases, such as heart disease. They also have a higher chance of having serious adverse reactions from certain medications. A background of abuse or trauma as a child can increase your risk of suffering from depression and anxiety. A chronic medical condition may cause anxiety and make symptoms worse.
Anxiety is a normal part of being human, and most people have it at some point throughout their lives. However, when your worries and anxieties begin to interfere with your day-to-day life, or if they last for months or weeks it may be an appropriate time to seek out treatment. NYU Langone specialists can diagnose anxiety disorders and offer treatment to help you feel better. We can also refer you to an in-person mental health program to continue therapy and support.
Treatment
Fortunately anxiety disorders can be treated. Treatment typically consists of medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a kind of counseling that can teach you how to manage your symptoms. You may discover other health-related techniques, such as meditation and exercise helpful.
First, you should consult with a physician to rule out physical causes. If your doctor isn’t convinced there’s a physical cause, you may be referred to an expert in mental health care for an evaluation. People with generalized anxiety disorder are likely to worry over everyday things and feel frequently anxious. They also have difficulty relaxing, have difficulty concentrating, and often have muscle tension or problems sleeping.
If you suffer from panic disorder, you might experience intense fear, which can cause chest pain and palpitations (pounding heartbeat) sweating, lightheadedness or the feeling that you are having a heartattack or another serious disease. You might avoid situations you fear could cause an attack. If you suffer from social anxiety disorder, you have anxiety and fear of being around other people. You might be scared of being criticized or teased by others, which can cause you to stay home from social gatherings and work.
Certain medications can ease physical symptoms of anxiety disorders such as trembling and nausea. It is possible to test different medications before you can find the one that works for you. Antidepressants like those in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibit (SSRI) and serotonin, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) are typically the first medicines that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety. They include fluoxetine, escitalopram (Prozac) as well as venlafaxine and duloxetine. Benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax) are frequently used to treat anxiety somatic symptoms of anxiety, but they can become addictive.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders can help you identify and change the irrational thoughts that contribute to your symptoms. The most commonly used type of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT. Your therapist will help you learn how to direct your attention away from worrying and anxious thoughts. They can also assist you in overcoming the factors that trigger your anxiety slowly.
Self-help
Self-help methods can be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Some methods include relaxation exercises, getting enough sleep and avoiding foods that could trigger an anxiety attack. Taking medication as directed is also important. It may be necessary to test a variety of medications before settling on one that is most effective.
A balanced diet that is rich in vegetables, fish, and whole grains can ease anxiety symptoms. Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants like coffee and cola may help as well. Regular exercise burns up stress chemicals and promotes relaxation.
A mental health professional can also help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy can help a person understand the causes of their anxiety and help them develop coping skills. Psychotherapy can involve cognitive behavioral therapy or other forms of therapy such as exposure therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy.
Certain people suffering from anxiety develop a fear. This is a strong fear for a particular object or event. Some people suffer from health high anxiety symptoms which make them fear that every ache or pain is a sign they are sick. Health anxiety can be caused by a range of causes, including the presence of a physical illness and an ancestral history.
Individuals suffering from anxiety can benefit from speaking with a therapist who is specialized in this type of condition. Your primary care physician may refer you to an therapist or a mental-health center. You could also ask your family and friends for recommendations. You should also look over your health insurance policy to see whether it covers psychotherapy.
Anxiety can be controlled by taking medications. Antidepressants, also referred to as benzodiazepines and sedatives can quickly relieve anxiety. They are generally not meant for long-term use, though. These medications can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety. However, they should discuss with their doctor the risks, benefits, and potential side effects.
Anxiety is a normal thing, but it can become a major issue when it continues to interfere with your daily routine. If you are experiencing persistent, excessive worry or other symptoms, you should consult your primary care provider. Consider joining an organization that offers support in case you’re having difficulty managing your anxiety.