Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes & Remedies

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, often experienced in situations like public speaking or before an exam. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and persistent, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety

Anxiety is a key part of several special issues. These include:

• Panic disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks at unexpected times. A person with panic disorder can live in fear of the next panic attack.
• A phobia is an excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. Social anxiety disorder is a severe fear of being judged by others in social situations.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder means recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific and repeated behaviours.
• Separation anxiety disorder means fear of being away from home or loved ones
• Sick anxiety disorder is all about your health (formerly called hypochondria)
• PTSD happens after a person experiences a traumatic event such as:
• War
• Assault
• Natural disaster
• Accident

Causes of Anxiety

Doctors do not fully understand the causes of anxiety disorders. Currently, it is believed that certain traumatic experiences can trigger anxiety in people prone to it.

Genetics can also play a role in anxiety. In some cases, anxiety may be due to an underlying health problem and may be the first sign of a physical illness rather than a mental one.

Many can occur at once, some can lead to others, and some may not lead to an anxiety disorder unless another is present.

Other important causes include

• Genetic anxiety disorders can be inherited.
• Environmental stress refers to the stressful events that you have seen or experienced. Life events that are often linked to anxiety disorders include child abuse and neglect, the death of a loved one, or being attacked or witnessing violence.
• Withdrawal from drug abuse. Certain medications can be used to hide or lessen certain anxiety symptoms and often goes hand in hand with alcohol and substance use.
• Medical conditions with heart, lung, and thyroid problems can cause symptoms much like anxiety disorders or make anxiety signs worse. It is important to have a complete physical exam to rule out other conditions when talking to your doctor about anxiety.

Anxiety Symptoms

Common Anxiety symptoms can vary widely from person to person, but common signs include:

• Persistent Worry: Excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday situations.
• Restlessness: Feeling on edge or unable to relax.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired despite adequate rest.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus on tasks or make decisions.
• Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

When to Visit a Doctor?

It's not always easy to tell when anxiety is a serious medical problem and if a bad day is causing you discomfort or worry. Without treatment, your anxiety may not go away, and it may get worse over time. Treating anxiety and other mental health conditions is easier upfront than when symptoms get worse.

You should visit the Doctor if:

• You feel that you worry so much that it interferes with your daily life (including hygiene, school, work, and your social life)
• Your anxiety, fear, or worry is distressing and difficult to control
• Feel depressed, use alcohol or drugs to cope, or have other mental health problems in addition to anxiety
• Have the feeling that your anxiety is due to an underlying mental health problem
• Have suicidal thoughts or have suicidal behaviours

Diagnosis of Anxiety

If you have symptoms, your doctor will examine you and ask about your medical history. They may do tests to rule out other health conditions that could be causing your symptoms. No laboratory test can, in particular, diagnose anxiety issues.

If your doctor can't find a physical reason for how you are feeling, they may refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health specialist. These doctors will ask you questions and use tools and tests to find out if you may have an anxiety disorder. Doctors cannot diagnose anxiety attacks, but they can diagnose:

• Anxiety signs
• Anxiety disorders
• Panic attacks
• Panic disorders

The doctor will ask about your signs and causes, perform tests to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms, such as heart disease or thyroid problems.

• A physical exam
• Blood tests
• A heart test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• A psychological evaluation or questionnaire

Treatment of Anxiety

Psychotherapy and medications are the two important treatments for anxiety disorders. You can benefit from more than one combination of the two. It may take a bit of trial and error to find out which treatments work best for you.

Psychotherapy

Psychological counseling, also known as talk therapy, involves working with a therapist to reduce anxiety symptoms, which can be an effective treatment for anxiety.

The most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a short-term treatment that focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities that you have avoided due to anxiety.

Anxiety Medications

Various types of medications are used to help relieve symptoms, depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have and whether you also have other mental or physical health problems. For example:

• Some of the antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
• Buspirone and anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed.

Anti-anxiety drugs that are typically used to treat anxiety include antidepressants and sedatives. They work to balance brain chemistry, prevent episodes of anxiety, and save you from the extra severe signs and symptoms of the disorder.

Prevention of Anxiety

• Regular exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers.
• Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can effectively manage anxiety symptoms and promote relaxation.
• Getting enough sleep is essential for emotional regulation, as sleep deprivation can heighten anxiety.
• Reducing caffeine and nicotine intake can help prevent increased heart rate and stress, both of which contribute to anxiety.
• Engaging with friends, family, or a therapist regularly provides emotional support and helps reduce anxiety.
• Understanding the causes of stress and adopting time management and relaxation techniques can prevent anxiety.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes for Anxiety

Changes in the lifestyle of a person can be an effective way to relieve some of the stress and anxiety you may deal with every day. Most natural "remedies" confine to looking after your body, taking part in healthy activities, and abandoning the unhealthy ones.

These include:

• Get enough sleep
• Meditating
• Stay active and exercise
• Eat a healthy diet
• Stay active and exercise
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid caffeine
• Stop smoking cigarettes