Anxiety is a feeling of unease, typically worry or fear. It is normal to feel temporarily anxious. For example, students can be anxious before sitting an exam or having an interview. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently feel anxious and sometimes the situation becomes worse over time. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Phobias
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
People with GAD have frequent and uncontrollable worries on different aspects of their everyday life. This can be personal and thus a very broad diagnosis. Some common symptoms can be:
- Regular fatigue
- Being irritable
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble falling asleep
- Feeling restless
- …
Causes and risk factors:
1. Heredity - 5 times more likely to have it if you have a close relative with GAD!
2. Brain chemistry
Still in investigation. An imbalance between brain chemicals or defects in signalling pathways might result in development of symptoms related to anxiety.
3. Environmental factors
Accidents, trauma, and changes also play a role. Alternatively, addiction to certain substances such as alcohol and caffeine may also worsen anxiety.
Prevention:
- Take breaks (and deep breaths) whenever you feel anxious.
- Stop having concerns about the past.
- Keep healthy: regular exercise, cutting down alcohol consumption, having enough sleep, etc…
- Stay connected to others.
Treatment:
1. Cognitive behavioural therapy In this therapy patients learn to recognise the behaviours and habits that lead to anxiety they have, and try to avoid them. They will normally be taught to face the worries more realistically and stop being distracted by them.
2. Medications They manage the disorder but not cure it. They work well in the short term, as they can sometimes be addictive and bring side effects on one’s memory and attention.
3. Home remedies including yoga, meditation, having good sleep and diet.
Acknowledgements:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/overview/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/anxiety-disorders/
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/generalized-anxiety-disorder
