Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is normal and sometimes useful, and it increases our attention in some situations, but sometimes it might be severe and lead to serious complications.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a mental disorder that causes the feeling of fear and worry more than normal when facing some situations, and it also affects the ability to deal with work and the reactions in certain situations.

Anxiety could occur at any age, and it’s a very common mental condition, and it affects women about twice as much as men.

Types of anxiety disorders

• Generalized anxiety disorder: It causes continuous and unrealistic fear and anxiety, like worrying about daily responsibilities, such as work and home chores.
• Agoraphobia: This causes the fear of not getting help when needed, and that leads to a phobia of going to new and crowded places, in addition to facing unfamiliar situations.
• Panic disorder: This condition causes recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.
• Social anxiety disorder: The continuous fear of being judged and seen by people.
• Separation anxiety disorder: A continuous fear of losing someone you love.
• Some phobias: A phobia is continuous fear and anxiety of a specific thing.
• Selective mutism: Not speaking in certain situations due to the feeling of fear and worry.

Causes of anxiety disorders

• Family history.
• Chemical imbalances in some neurotransmitters and hormones.
• Changes in the amygdala, which is a part of the brain that has a role in managing anxiety and fear.
• Traumas in children.
• Persistent stress.
• Other psychological conditions, like depression.
• Other medical conditions, such as heart diseases, diabetes, problems in the thyroid gland, respiratory problems like COPD and asthma, drug misuse or withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and rare tumors that cause an imbalance in the hormones.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders

Psychological symptoms

• Feeling nervous, restless, and irritated.
• Fear and panic.
• Difficulty thinking and focusing.
• Obsessive and uncontrolled thoughts.

Physical symptoms

• Heart palpitations.
• Breathing rapidly.
• Excessive sweat.
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea.
• Muscle tension.
• Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet.
• Insomnia.
• Trembling.
• Weakness and tiredness.
• Digestive problems.

Complications of anxiety disorders

• Social isolation.
• Problems in study or work.
• Depression.
• Decreased quality of life.
• Drug misusing.
• Headache and chronic pain.
• Suicide in some cases.

Diagnosis of anxiety disorders

• Asking the patient about the symptoms.
• Psychological evaluations.
• Physical examination.

Management of anxiety disorders

• Psychological therapy.
• Medication therapy.
• Social support from family and friends.
• Following a healthy lifestyle.