What's an anxiety disorder?

It is normal to feel a certain level of anxiety when facing challenges or changes in life, but when anxiety disrupts your everyday life; it is considered an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can affect people psychologically, emotionally and even physically.

Anxiety disorders can disrupt and put their dreams on hold, until they find suitable treatment for their individual needs.

Dr. Cathy Frank reports that; “Normal anxiety- usually occurs in a reaction to a stressor”. Normal anxiety is short lived, and it does not usually interfere with your life dramatically” (P1).

A certain level of anxiety, can actually motivate you to complete your assignments, help you to get to an appointment on time, help you perform better in sports, it can also warn you of a dangerous situation. Anxiety causes both physical and/or psychological symptoms such

as: a surge of energy, tension, and agitation. Some people might even experience headaches when they feel anxious.

People who suffer from an anxiety disorder, have said that anxiety seems to come from out of nowhere, that it is persistent and that it manifests itself over a long period of time. The anxiety felt at this point could be classified as being a chronic state of anxiety.

Experiencing chronic anxiety over a long period of time can affect a person’s life and health. Studies have suggested that; "Abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, ulcers, stomach upset, acid reflux, chronic muscle spasm, tremor, chronic back pain, tension headaches and a depressed immune system” (Elliot p11) can all be associated with an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders leave no aspect of your life untouched. In fact, “anxiety can create havoc in the home, destroy relationships, cause employees to miss time from work and prevent

people from living full, productive lives” (Elliot p17).

An example of a symptom that an individual could experience is: “persistent or severe fear or worry in situations where people would not feel threatened” (Smith p1).

Most of us prefer to think that this type of disorder could never affect us or anyone we love. Statistics indicate that “anxiety disorders affect 12% of Canadians and that “25% of patients seek help for a mental disorder, suffer from an anxiety disorder” (Thompson p1).

Studies have shown that anxiety affects children as well as adults. Children as young as “12 to 18 months old suffer from separation anxiety”, it is also reported that it is rare to develop phobias after the age of 25 (Knappe, Beesdo, Pine p1).

Research has shown, that women are more at risk to have an anxiety disorder than men. In fact, “55-60% of sufferers are women” (Meek p1), which is a significant difference in ratio.

The exact cause of anxiety disorder is unknown, but what researchers have found is that “individuals who experienced a life-threatening, traumatic event”, (Smith p1); are at more risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Experts believe that “stress, especially long term, which may be experienced in a job they dislike or in a relationship which was emotionally draining, appears to create anxiety disorders” (Calmclinic p1).

“Studies have shown a strong correlation between a parent’s fears and those of their offspring” (Simon p1); children who experience a stressful situation of their own, often mimic their parent’s after witnessing their reaction to a stressful situation.

Researchers have also focused their attention on the possibility of certain medical conditions triggering anxiety symptoms. Research found that patients with “heart, lung or brain condition or depression and women going through the hormonal change”, all had a higher chance to

experience anxiety symptoms (Minnis p1), and those who suffer from other conditions, such as “anemia, thyroid and diabetes” (Katz p1) are more at risk of having anxiety symptoms.

The side effects of certain medications and products, can also be a leading cause of anxiety symptoms. “Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and ADHD medications, diet pills, cold remedies and decongestants, as well thyroid medications and bronchodilators used by people with asthma or other breathing disorders” (Minnis p1) can also trigger anxiety symptoms.

In some cases, genetics can also play an important role in how a person can be affected by anxiety. In fact, those suffering from anxiety often have issues with several neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), including serotonin, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)” (Cowely, p1).

People who struggle with anxiety disorders often feel they cannot mentally deal with stressful situations. Disord a famous psychiatrist agrees and states: “Cognitive impairments are common in young adults with major depression and anxiety disorders” (p1).

It has also been reported that “there is an emotional disturbance in people suffering from anxiety disorders” (Pearson1). People who have anxiety disorder are often overwhelmed during a stressful situation, which leaves them feeling paralyzed by fear because they are unable emotionally to respond to it.

Although an anxiety disorder doesn’t physically paralyze a person, it can keep them trapped in the house and unable to go out anywhere (work school or even a party). Researchers agree that “many who suffer from anxiety disorders are unable to perform physical work” (Alkaksinen P1) because they are not able to get around without assistance or capable of dealing with the anxiety experienced on a day to day basis.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. One is called: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is also referred to as GAD and

surprisingly enough it is one of the most common anxiety disorders, that affects people.

The symptoms of GAD are: “constant worries running through their head, feeling like their anxiety is uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts, inability to tolerate uncertainties, pervasive feeling of apprehension or dread” (Elliot, Smith p23)

Although all these symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to a person’s life there is hope, however, studies have shown a couple of things that can help alleviate GAD symptoms: “antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication with psychotherapy and exercise can help” (Goldberg p1).

Another type of anxiety disorder is: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD anxiety is “a disabling illness which traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts, fears, images and obsessions” (Katz p1).

Symptoms that OCD patients can experience are: “Obsessive thoughts which go against their religion, thoughts of hurting someone, extremely troubled thoughts about germs and dirt, wondering if the stove was left on, the door left open or even if the taps were left on (Katz p1).

Although, obsessive compulsive disorder is exasperating, there is some treatment options available. “In most cases, OCD can successfully be treated with medication, cognitive behavioral therapy or both. Most people can achieve long-term relief from symptoms and return to normal or near normal functioning” (Katz p1).

For some people the fear of certain situations, objects or animals can also be terrifying. Exposure to that feared situation or animal triggers an overwhelming level of anxiety. This type of fear is called a phobia. “Phobias are the most common mental disorder in the United States” (Kendra p1).

There are three types of phobias: there is: social phobia which is the fear of being praised too much for something an individual has done or the fear of being judged negatively by someone (Kendra p1).

The second phobia is: “agoraphobia” which is the fear of being somewhere, having a panic attack and not being able to leave the area quick enough before anyone witnesses that something is wrong (Kendra p1).

The third and final one is: “specific phobias, which is the fear of specific animals or object, such as: snakes, dogs, cats, thunder, darkness and the list goes on”.

People suffering from any one of these phobias know that their fear is irrational but when confronted with the feared object or animal they get overwhelmed and experience a variety of anxiety symptoms such as: dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, a sense of unreality or even a fear of dying. In some cases, these symptoms can escalate into a full-scale anxiety-attack (Kendra p1).

Experts believe that: “the effectiveness of a treatment is dependent on the individual and the type of phobia” (Kendra p1). In majority of cases, treatment is effective and the patient is either cured or learns how to keep it under control.

Specific symptoms seem to affect specific disorders, which can help health care professionals to determine which anxiety disorder a person may be suffering from. The physical symptoms reported are: accelerated heartbeat, rapid and shallow breathing, feeling hot, upset stomach, diarrhea, trouble swallowing, sweating, nausea, trembling, dizziness, feeling light headed and ringing in the ears (Health Canada p1).

The psychological symptoms are: fear, anxiety, apprehension, anticipation and avoidance (Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada). A person who suffers from these symptoms often fear: going

ken any sense of fear within themselves (Mayo Clinic).

In an article entitled: “What is an Anxiety Attack?” posted on the calm clinic website, the definition used to define symptoms of an anxiety attack are: Anxiety attacks are a combination of physical and mental symptoms that are intense and overwhelming (Calm Clinic P1); your muscles are tense, your body is trembling, your stomach is churning. You are nauseated and experience diarrhea, you have a headache, your heart is palpitating. You feel like you have pins and needles in your arms, hands or legs. You begin to sweat (Smith p1)

Anything can trigger an anxiety episode. More specifically “Anxiety is often triggered by stress in our life. We can also make ourselves anxious with negative self-talk. A habit of always telling ourselves the worse will happen” (Nordquist p1).

Having an anxiety attack is a very scary experience. Many often compare it to “having a heart attack or stroke”. This of course increases anxiety (Kratz P1). Although an anxiety attack is scary, a panic attack is even worse.

A panic attack is similar to an anxiety attack, the difference between each is the intensity of symptoms and the length of time they last (Smith p1). A panic attack lasts longer and is more intense than an anxiety attack

A panic attack can come on very suddenly. When a person is fearful or anticipates a situation or event, it sends a message to “the Amygdala” part of the brain which controls our anxious response. It then reacts to anxiety as if there is imminent danger, even though there is no danger” (Mayo Clinic p1).

Patients who experience panic attacks describe it as being a horrifying experience. The panic attack leaves the sufferer feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed. During a panic attack sufferers can experience “a fear of losing control or going crazy or even a fear of dying” (Smith p1).

Thankfully, there are many effective treatments available, which can be help. The first treatment is psychotherapy which consists of “an interactive process that includes techniques to help people deal with issues that are preventing them from living fully” (Van Beek p1).

The second type of treatment is “Exposure Therapy, which works by encouraging patients to confront the situation they fear rather than avoid it” (Katz p1). This technique helps the patient gradually become use to the feared situation and eventually overcome their fear because their perception of the situation, object or animal was altered. The brain slowly realizes, that there was nothing to fear and anxiety diminishes.

The third type of therapy available is alternative therapy, which can be helpful. Various clinical studies have shown that during meditation the body altered in ways that are beneficial for people with anxiety disorder (Alternative Medicines for Anxiety). Anxiety therapy in addition to any prescribed medication from your physician should help to alleviate some of the anxiety symptoms.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder your physician may recommend that you take “Antidepressants”, which are serotine inhibitors which are now widely used for a variety of anxiety disorders and for the long-term management of anxiety problems (Goldbergp1).

Some individuals prefer to opt for a natural remedy. In fact, several herbs have the ability to act on the nervous system, to help with relaxation and tranquility (Alternative Medicines for Anxiety). Homeopathic remedies are one avenue some patients like to explore. “Homeopathy uses highly diluted doses of natural substances. The substances are from plants, minerals and animal sources.” (Alternative Medicines for Anxiety.) A good diet also helps with anxiety symptoms to help your body and mind to stay healthy and strong. Some research indicates that by eliminating things like, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine (Minnis p1) from your diet can also help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Relaxation techniques can also help reduce anxiety symptoms (Goldberg p1). Some relaxation techniques to help relax both your body and mind are: yoga, reiki and meditation.

Physical exercise can also help people who suffer from an anxiety disorder. In fact, ”Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem” (Goldberg p1).

In conclusion, anyone is at risk of developing an anxiety disorder and feeling its impact on their health and life. The good news is, there is hope in regaining a healthy lifestyle.