Anxiety Disorders Symptoms

It's normal to feel anxiety and fear from time to moment. But when these feelings persist and become a problem in daily life, you may suffer from an anxiety disorder.

A healthcare professional can help you in locating a treatment that will address your symptoms. This could include anti-anxiety medication, psychotherapy or natural remedies like exercise, a healthy diet and sleep.

1. Worry and Fear

Every person experiences feelings of anxiety and fear from time time -- it's an inherent part of our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. However, if the fear or anxiety is extreme, doesn't disappear and is a hindrance to your daily routine you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Your doctor can identify anxiety disorders through a chat with you, a physical examination and urine or blood tests, and questions about your past health. You could also be given questionnaires to complete to help your doctor determine whether you have a specific anxiety disorder.

Different types of anxiety disorders exhibit distinct symptoms. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, like are constantly worried and irrationally about everyday events even though there is no real threat. They also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing. Other signs include a rapid and pounding heart, fluttering, or a thumping (heart palpitations) as well as sweating and trembling. People suffering from panic disorder experience repeated periods of intense terror or fear that can reach an extreme within minutes. They also have difficulty controlling their emotions. They tend to avoid certain activities or places to prevent these attacks from occurring.

People who have phobias have strong fears about certain things, such as snakes or flying. Other symptoms could include headaches or breathing difficulties. People suffering from PTSD are anxious when they witness or experience a traumatic incident, like a war or car accident. They might have other symptoms, too, such as nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event.

Other forms of anxiety disorders include ocd hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which makes you feel anxious when you are in social situations. There's also anxiety related to a specific health problem, known as illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria). Other causes of anxiety are stress and an imbalance of chemicals in your brain. Sometimes, anxiety is an effect of certain medications.

2. Panic Attacks

People suffering from anxiety disorders experience recurring feelings of extreme anxiety and fear that are insignificant to the situation. These feelings can trigger extreme physical reactions, like an increased heart rate as well as a shortness of breath and nausea. It is also possible to feel disconnected or unreal.

While anyone can experience panic attacks however, you're more likely develop this type of mental health condition in the early years of childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. It is caused by a variety of factors that include prolonged or severe stress that creates a chemical imbalance in your nervous system and brain. Trauma, particularly during childhood or adolescence can increase your risk of anxiety disorders.

Panic attacks can happen for no apparent reason or as a result of a specific event that causes you to be afraid like being in a large crowd. They differ from normal anxiety symptoms in that they are more intense and are usually unexpected. People with anxiety disorders may also experience a mixture of unanticipated and expected panic attacks.

The most popular treatments for panic attacks and anxiety include medication and talking therapies. Talking therapies help you manage your fears and eliminate negative thoughts that fuel your anxiety. They can teach relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications -- especially SSRIs (such as Prozac and Paxil) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help make your anxiety and panic less severe.

It is essential to consult your physician immediately if have frequent panic attacks. Your doctor can check for other medical conditions that have similar symptoms, and may recommend alternative treatments.

3. Insomnia

People who are anxious might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This is referred to as insomnia. It can last for an indefinite period of time, or it may last for a long time. Insomnia can make it difficult to get through the day, and could cause serious health issues. It is more prevalent among older adults and is more prevalent in women than men. It is also more prevalent in people with psychiatric disorders.

Sleepiness can be caused by a variety of different things. Sleep is affected by a variety of temporary illnesses like colds or headaches or chronic illnesses like acid reflux, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and medications. Stressful life events can cause it. Around half of people suffering from chronic insomnia have a mental illness, the most common being anxiety or depression.

A doctor will first determine physical causes. They will check your medical history and inquire about the symptoms that are making it harder to sleep. They'll also want know if any of the medications you take are affecting it. They may also perform a sleep study to monitor your heart rate and breathing at night.

Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It helps you change the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also teaches you ways to relax before bed. There what are anxiety disorders/depression techniques for doing this, including biofeedback, progressive relaxation and meditation. The doctor can help you locate a therapist who can teach you these methods. If you find that behavioral therapy does not work it is possible to try a variety of medications to help you sleep better. They include benzodiazepines, that are used for short-term symptom relief and antidepressant or antianxiety medication.

4. Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are defined by a preoccupation with weight, body shape and food choices as well as eating habits such as binge eating, purging, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, and compulsive exercise. A lot of people who suffer from an eating disorder also have anxiety as do those who suffer from a mental illness that is co-occurring such as depression or bipolar disorder. Combined, the two conditions can create a vicious circle where the person's mood disorders increase the symptoms of their eating disorder.

There is a strong link between anxiety and the severity of eating disorders. More anxiety symptoms are associated with the disorder. In fact those suffering from anorexia nervosa is more likely to have the presence of anxiety-related symptoms at a high level, and the same applies to those suffering from bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. In certain cases, anxiety can be a direct cause of an eating disorder. In certain cases anxiety can be a secondary indication of an eating disorder.

In one study, researchers found that comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly linked to more severe eating disorder symptomatology among young females. The research team used the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) which is a four-item measurement of depression and anxiety symptoms. They also assessed the severity of an eating disorder, and asked participants to rate their ability to deal with anxiety.

The authors of the study also analyzed three factors that may aid in understanding the relationship between eating disorders and anxiety self-esteem, perfectionism, and mood dysregulation. These factors moderated the relationship between anxiety/depression and eating disorders however in different ways, depending on the subgroups. They hope that the findings will result in more precise and specific treatment for eating disorders.

5. Physical ailments that are associated with anxiety

Most people have anxiety-related feelings at some moment, but it turns into an illness when it becomes severe and affects daily life. Some people might be experiencing physical symptoms, such as chest pain or stomach discomfort in relation to the type of anxiety they are experiencing.

Getting the right treatment for anxiety disorders can help people feel better and live happier lives. Many people benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular type. CBT is a method of helping you identify and change negative thoughts which cause anxiety and fear. It also teaches you how to face your fears and take small steps to overcome them.

Medication can help. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and Valium can help reduce anxiety or panic attacks. Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs are also available for prescription. These medications increase levels of certain brain chemicals that regulate mood and can be used on their own or together with other treatments to treat anxiety disorders.

Anxiety-producing medical conditions can be caused by medical conditions and may cause the same physical symptoms as those of an anxiety disorder. For instance, head trauma can trigger depression and anxiety. Other conditions that can elicit anxiety include chronic fatigue and chronic pain and rheumatologic conditions like lupus and some nutritional deficiencies, including iron deficiency.

Certain factors increase the chance of developing an anxiety disorder. These are referred to as risk factors. Certain risk factors are genetic, such as an ancestral history of anxiety or disorders. Other factors like childhood abuse, depression or other mental disorders, as well as an accumulation of stress for a long time can increase the risk of anxiety disorders. Because of this, it is essential to undergo an extensive physical exam if you are suffering from anxiety.