Anxiety : Causes, Types, Treatment & Symptoms

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural emotional reaction to stress or perceived dangers, but when it becomes excessive or chronic, it develops into a mental health illness marked by strong dread, worry, or uneasiness that disrupts everyday living. Anxiety is characterized by increased awareness and a fight-or-flight response, which is frequently future-oriented, in which the body prepares for impending danger through cognitive, emotional, and physical changes. Clinical anxiety, unlike regular concern, is exaggerated and difficult to manage. These vary depending on the individual and the kind of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder.

Here are some of the most common accompanying symptoms for Anxiety:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Sleep disturbance
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach churning
• Dizziness and muscle tension
• Excessive worry
• Irritability
• Sense of dread
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling on edge or losing control
• Find themselves in the need for reassurances
• Panic attacks

Common, Uncommon, or Underlying Causes of Anxiety

Biological, psychological, and environmental variables all have a role in the development of anxiety, which is characterized by an excessive amount of concern or dread. There is a wide range of similarities among the causes, with some of them immediately causing symptoms and others functioning as underlying factors. These common triggers frequently cause or increase anxiety in many people, and less frequent but significant causes can contribute.

Here are some reasons for Anxiety:

• Stress buildup due to work, finances, relationships, or any major life changes like bereavement
• Constant pressure such as long hours, job security, housing issues, and feelings of isolation
• Substance use like alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs, or withdrawal effects
• Certain personality traits like shyness or nervousness from childhood
• Environmental triggers such as climate anxiety, bullying, and discrimination
• Severe conditions such as thyroid issues, heart diseases, and chronic pain
• Family history or genetic factors that tend to run in the family
• When the brain’s ‘fear chemistry’ is out of balance, its emotional alarm system stays in a constant state of high alert, making it let go of the past trauma and letting the body react to everyday stress.
• Past trauma, including childhood abuse, bullying, loss of a parent, or neglect

When to Seek a Specialist for Your Anxiety?

Seek therapy for anxiety when symptoms continue, worsen, or interfere with everyday functioning, since early intervention can prevent the condition from getting worse. Specialists such as psychiatrists and psychologists evaluate, including a period of more than six months and severe impairment.

Visit your specialist if these anxiety symptoms are present:

• Worry or fear that’s hard to control for days on end, if not for six months
• Interrupts work, relationships, or sleep or induces stress in routine activities
• When it starts showing physical signs such as rapid heartbeat, restlessness, muscle tension or panic attacks
• Thoughts of self-harm, suicidal ideations, or substance misuse on top of anxiety
• When anxiety mimics medical issues that cannot be explained physically like chest pain or dizziness
• Avoiding social gatherings and constant irritability

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our Psychiatrist today.

Diagnostic Approach for Anxiety

Specialists identify anxiety disorders using standard guidelines emphasizing symptom patterns, duration, and impact on everyday life. To ensure accuracy, there are several diagnostic methods that eliminate any other medical or mental health issues. Your specialist may take a full medical history and evaluate the symptoms and rule out any underlying medical reason for anxiousness, as well as rule out other conditions and confirm basic anxiety.

Here are the specialist-approved diagnostic steps:

• Assess your concern or fear every day for 6 months or more, which is difficult to regulate.
• Evaluate three or more adult symptoms: restlessness, weariness, irritability, muscular tension, and sleep problems.
• Confirm substantial suffering or impairment in social/professional functioning.
• Order blood tests for thyroid, anemia, and caffeine/medication interactions.
• Perform a physical exam to check for cardiac, respiratory, and neurological disorders.
• If cardiac symptoms are noticeable, do an ECG.
• Symptom profile helps differentiate panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, and sadness.
• Get an early diagnosis to rule out drugs, medications, and hyperthyroidism as the major culprits.

What Are The Types of Anxiety?

These are the most prevalent anxiety disorders that are categorized into different kinds depending on their symptom patterns and causes. Furthermore, they are present in conditions such as OCD and PTSD. These categories with additional grouping show distinct characteristics that aid in successful treatment planning.

Commonly classified types of anxiety include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder: Excessive uncontrollable worry about everyday issues like work or health that lasts for 6 months with tension.
• Panic disorder: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks, with intense fear, chest pain, and shortness of breath, that often lead to avoidance behavior.
• Social anxiety disorder: Worry or fear about social situations, often due to scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation.
• Specific phobias: Irrational and overwhelming fear of specific objects or situation like spiders or heights.
• Agoraphobia: Fear of places such as crowded places or open spaces, where escape or help seems unavailable, often associated with panic.
• Separation anxiety disorder: Excessive fear of being apart from an attachment figure, most commonly seen in children, but possible in adults.

How to Treat Anxiety Symptoms?

Treat anxiety symptoms using evidence-based therapies, drugs, and lifestyle modifications that address underlying causes such as heredity, trauma, or stress. These treatments seek to alleviate immediate symptoms, address underlying causes, and promote long-term recovery. Immediate management concentrates on physical and emotional problems. Choose biological, psychological, or environmental stimuli to increase resistance and avoid relapse.

To address the underlying causes, we provide holistic treatments & rehabilitation strategies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, including deep breathing or muscle relaxation
• Use a short-term medical prescription for severe episodes and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat.
• Make lifestyle adjustments like exercising regularly, prioritizing sleep, reducing the consumption of caffeine or alcohol and trying yoga or other mindful activities.
• Take specialist-approved antidepressants to balance out the brain chemistry imbalance.
• Support groups or self-help for ongoing stressors
• Perform problem-solving skills, assertiveness training, and maintain a healthy diet

What if Anxiety Is Left Untreated?

When left untreated, anxiety can intensify over time, leading to chronic stress reactions and avoidance behaviors that disrupt daily life and contribute to long-term physical and mental health complications. It may rarely lead to co-occurring disorders, harming the biological systems and reducing the quality of life.

Some possible complications of untreated Anxiety includes:

• Increased chances of depression due to isolation, low self-esteem, and chronic stress
• Development of additional anxiety disorder
• High risk of substance use as a coping mechanism
• Cognitive changes like memory problems, poor concentration, or negative thinking
• Cardiovascular strain: high blood pressure, heart disease risk and inflammation
• Weakened immunity: headaches, chronic pain, digestive issues, sleep disorders
• Hormonal imbalances: Weight gain, elevated levels of cholesterol, and fatigue
• Eroding lifestyle: Missed work or personal opportunities, social withdrawal, strained relationships
• Financial strain and overall diminished well-being

Have any questions or concerns about your health? We’re here to help! Call us at +918065906165  for expert advice and support.