Developing feelings of anxiety and worry is a prevalent occurrence in our day-to-day lives. It’s perfectly normal and it’s also the brain’s way of responding to impending danger or stress. Different from the occasional anxiety, anxiety disorders can cause continuous and paralyzing feelings of fear and anxiety. Such excessive anxiety can completely wear you down and make you feel like avoiding things like family get-togethers, school and other social situations which may perpetuate the symptoms. Most of the time, many people are still able to live normally with proper treatment to manage their symptoms. Here is a guide on what an anxiety disorder is.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
Feeling excessive, unrealistic tension and worry with little to no reason.
- Medication-induced anxiety disorder
Certain use or withdrawal from medications and illegal drugs can trigger such symptoms.
- Panic disorder
Feeling a sudden, intense fear that induces a panic attack where you’ll perspire profusely, experience heart palpitations and pounding chest pain.
- Selective mutism
This type of anxiety disorder involves young children who speak normally with their family but don’t speak outside of their home, like at school.
- Social anxiety disorder
Also known as social phobia, this occurs when you feel overwhelmed by feelings of self-consciousness and worry when it comes to daily social situations. You constantly worry about being ridiculed, embarrassed or others judging you.
- Agoraphobia
Having an intense fear of being in a place that could be difficult to escape or seek help from. For instance, it could be in an elevator or an airplane.
- Specific phobias
Feeling a crippling fear of a specific situation or object like flying or heights.
- Separation anxiety
Anyone can get such feelings, not just young children. You could feel fearful or anxious when a loved one leaves your line of sight.
Consequences
In the long term, an anxiety disorder can do more than just conjure feelings of worry but could lead to more serious issues including:
- Poor quality of life
- Headaches and chronic illnesses
- Difficulties in functioning at work or school
- Suicide
- Insomnia
- Digestive or bowel issues
- Social isolation
- Substance abuse
Treatments
It’s recommended for you to seek treatment or consult your doctor immediately if:
- You start developing thoughts of suicide
- You feel depressed or you’re resorting to substance abuse to cope
- Your anxiety could be causing a physical health issue
- You have difficulties controlling your state of mind
- Your worries are interfering with your personal life and work performance
Your worries could exacerbate and worsen if you don’t seek help early. It’s easier to treat your symptoms when you seek help early.
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