Dorothy FarrarAnxiety disorders
One speaks of anxiety disorders when the fear in any form assumes pathological or disproportionate proportions and thus determines the everyday life of those affected. Anxiety disorders are the collective term for a whole range of anxiety complaints without an objectively recognizable reason. The symptoms of an anxiety disorder range from a slight discomfort with physical and psychological reactions (e.g. dizziness , tachycardia , sweating ) to life-threatening fear.
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear of an object or situation (phobia) or non-specific fear. Panic attacks are often associated with anxiety disorders . The fear in anxiety disorders is inappropriate to the situation and disproportionately large. Typical forms of anxiety are claustrophobia , spider phobia or panic disorders.
The states of anxiety often become more frequent over time and become more and more severe. In most cases, those affected are also aware that the symptoms of the anxiety disorder are disproportionate to the situation. Those affected are usually unable to free themselves from the state of fear on their own.
causes
The causes of anxiety disorders can usually not be reduced to just one triggering factor. However, there is much to be said for a genetic disposition (susceptibility) of those affected. Family members of sick people often have an overexcitable nervous system that reacts to even slight stimuli.
But conditioning can also be at the root of anxiety disorders. The person concerned has experienced a panic attack in an otherwise harmless situation. From now on he associates this with the situation and avoids it.
The psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud considered anxiety disorders to be the result of a sexual drive suppressed by the superego. The psychoanalytic school says that fearful contents of consciousness are repressed and transferred to another situation. In some cases, physical illnesses, such as thyroid disease, can also be to blame for anxiety disorders.
When to the doctor?
In the case of anxiety disorders, a doctor should be consulted if the affected person’s quality of life has decreased significantly and he/she is becoming increasingly withdrawn. In many cases, the visit to the doctor takes place at the direction or request of a person close to you. A doctor is necessary if the anxiety disorders lead to panic attacks, depression or sweating.
The patient often suffers from shortness of breath and palpitations and cannot sleep normally, resulting in sleep disturbances and irritability. An urgent visit to the doctor is necessary if the patient has suicidal thoughts or has already attempted suicide. In this case, the anxiety disorders may have to be treated in a closed clinic. A visit to the doctor is also appropriate when people suddenly act aggressively or withdraw completely for no particular reason.
Treatment should begin early, especially in children, so that no consequential damage occurs. Parents have to pay attention to their children and see a doctor even if they have minor anxiety disorders. These can be caused by bullying or teasing and can be shown by the fact that the child no longer wants to go to school or kindergarten and becomes very withdrawn. In these cases, treatment by a psychologist is necessary.
symptoms and course
Anxiety disorders are often expressed through physical symptoms. Often, those affected are not even aware that they are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Especially with panic attacks, they first think of a heart attack ( heart attack ), sudden fainting or some other physical reaction. Anxiety disorders often show up as balance disorders , dizziness, tremors , muscle tension, tachycardia or nausea . Phobias (e.g. spider phobia, claustrophobia, fear of flying) express themselves through the typical avoidance behavior – ie those affected try to avoid the situation that triggers the fear.
The course of the anxiety disorder depends heavily on whether treatment is given. With early therapy, generalized anxiety disorders or phobias often heal without any problems. Especially with phobias one should seek confrontation with the situation.
The avoidance attitude can otherwise lead to a massive reduction in the quality of life. This in turn often leads to loneliness or depressive moods. Many sufferers of anxiety disorders then want to help themselves with alcohol or medication, making their situation worse.
Diagnose
In order to be able to diagnose a possible anxiety disorder, you must first consult a doctor or a psychotherapist. During this conversation, questions about the origin, occurrence and development of the fear are clarified and the doctor can use the symptoms to make an initial diagnosis. However, before one can assume an anxiety disorder, one must rule out other causes for the symptoms. Because symptoms such as tachycardia or shortness of breath can also have medical causes or be caused by medication. A blood test and an EKG are usually carried out.
Only when all alternative explanations can be ruled out is a search made for a psychological cause of the symptoms. In order to be able to specify the anxiety disorder, the doctor asks questions about the patient’s life history and current or past problems that could have caused the anxiety. Furthermore, it is clarified whether the fear is the main problem or a side effect of another mental illness. Questionnaires are often used to find out when and how often the fear occurs.
complications
If anxiety disorders are not treated in time and adequately, complications often arise. Life is extremely difficult to manage due to constant fear, which can lead to depression in those affected. They feel like they are going insane and they lose control of their lives. Anxiety disorders also trigger stress, which brings further complications. This includes the weakening of the immune system, which can lead to diseases and infections. There may also be an increased risk of heart disease. Headaches, insomnia, grinding teeth and digestive problems are the consequences of the disease.
When it comes to anxiety disorders, most sufferers seek refuge in alcohol and drugs. Consumption immediately leads to further complications. Those who do not have their anxiety disorders treated and subsequently suffer from depression usually have suicidal thoughts later on. You feel increasingly alone, helpless and lost. All of these complications can tempt those affected to attempt suicide. Because of this, it is imperative to get qualified help when someone notices anxiety disorders in themselves or those around them.
treatment and therapy
There are several ways to heal anxiety disorders. The affected person should start treatment as early as possible, because over time the disease usually gets worse and responds less well to therapies. In the rarest cases, namely only in about 10 to 30 percent, anxiety disorders heal by themselves.
Psychotherapy is usually the first choice for sufferers of anxiety disorders. In contrast to generalized anxiety disorder, psychoanalysis is rarely used for phobias . Behavioral therapy usually helps here. The patient is confronted with his phobia and realizes that it is unfounded.
The exposure procedure begins with the worst situation for the patient. When he has gone through these, he feels that all situations that trigger anxiety are harmless.
But relaxation techniques and sport can also help those suffering from anxiety disorders to overcome their fear. In severe cases of anxiety disorders, drugs such as antidepressants that interfere with brain metabolism are also administered.
prevention
Active prevention of anxiety disorders is hardly possible.Once you have successfully overcome an illness, you can take care not to expose yourself to too many stressful and fearful situations.
These increase the risk of a renewed outbreak of anxiety disorders. However, an avoidance attitude is also not advisable.
Sporting activities (exercise) and targeted relaxation methods can also be helpful in preventing anxiety disorders.
In the event of imminent anxiety-provoking situations, various over-the-counter medicinal plant preparations can be taken and thus alleviate restlessness and stress.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.