Anxiety and Anxiety disorders.

 

Are you one of those people that struggle with stage fright or finds it discomforting standing in front of a crowd? That gets jumpy and very nervous over things ranging from a text or phone call to a school project? That gets panic attacks easily? Is it anxiety or anxiety disorder?

Well in this blog, we’d talk about the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorder, all you need to know and how to cope with it.

 

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to difficult periods and stress, like public speaking; paying bills; sweating before a big test or exam; or even a break up. It is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes.

Undergoing breathing techniques or relaxing often helps the individual feel better and the anxiety lessens significantly when the stressful situation is over. For example, your heart starts to race before writing an examination. But after the exam, you feel better and less stressed.

Anxiety has a starting and early ending point. Anxiety disorder lasts weeks or months, or even years.

Anxiety disorder involves more than a temporary fear or panic. It is a mental illness that interferes with one’s daily life and it feels impossible to manage or control. It does not just go away and it can get worse over time.

 SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

•         An anxiety symptom ranges from feelings of panic or danger to hyperventilating.
•      Increased heartbeat.
•       Shortness of breath.
•      Chest pain.
•      Tension and sweating.
•      Numb or tingling hands and feet.
•      Phobia.
•      Headache.

·         Anxiety also leads to feelings of restlessness and having sleeping problems, for example; Insomnia.

Now, you might be thinking, which symptoms are for anxiety and which are for anxiety disorders? You must understand that the symptoms are not what differentiate them. Anxiety becomes a disorder when it is excessive, overwhelming, lasting for a long period of time, and when it interferes with an individual’s ability to function and be productive in daily life. It affects one socially, academically and in one’s place of work. Anxiety disorder makes it arduous for an individual to get through the day, every day; or continue his or her daily activities effectively.

With that being said, let’s talk about the different types of Anxiety disorders.

 

TYPES OF ANXEITY DISORDERS

Psychologists around the world have concluded that there are five major types of anxiety disorders.

1.       Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This type of anxiety disorder involves excessive worry and tension about one’s day to day issues and situations, even when there’s nothing to trigger it. This interferes with one’s daily activities and can last for a very a long time.

Generalized anxiety disorder is developed when you can’t cope well with your internal stress. It can also be inherited.

 

Symptoms

·         Feeling restless or on the edge.

·         Sweating, light-headedness, fatigue (feeling easily and extremely tired).

·         Having trouble sleeping (finding it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep).

·         Irritability (getting annoyed, impatient or frustrated very easily).

·         Finding it difficult to concentrate.

·         Increased muscle tension, back aches or unexplainable pains.

·         Difficulty controlling one’s worry or fear.

·         Headache, nausea and palpitations (Irregular heartbeat).

·         Nervousness or being easily startled.

·         Over thinking plans and situation to all worst-case outcomes.

 

2.       Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

 

This disorder involves excessive or unwanted thoughts (obsession) that leads to compulsive (repetitive) behaviors. It is also the urge or need to do or arrange something over and over again in a particular manner.

To clear the air, not everything we do repetitively is related to OCD. Everyone has thoughts or habits that they repeat.

 People with OCD have thoughts and habits that are beyond their control; takes a lot of their time (at least an hour); interferes with their work, social life or life in general; and most times, they have thoughts and habits that aren’t enjoyable.

Causes of OCD are unknown but factors like genetics, brain abnormalities and the environment are said to play a role. It is early developed and can last for years or be lifelong.

 

Symptoms

·         Compulsion to clean, fear of dirt and fear of contamination or mental contamination (the feeling that you’ve been treated like dirt).

·         Doubting or having difficulty controlling uncertainty. Like feeling the need to check locks, switches, cookers or alarm system, over and over again.

·         Having things symmetrical and arranged in an orderly manner.

·         Aggressive thoughts about losing control or harming yourself and others.

·         Unwanted and disturbing thoughts involving sex, religion or aggression.

·         Constant awareness of body sensations like breathing or blinking.

·         Compulsive counting or tapping.

·         Hoarding (difficulty disposing or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to store and keep them).

·         Needing or asking for reassurance and fear that a partner is unfaithful.

 

3.       Panic Disorder

This is a type of anxiety disorder that involves frequent and unexpected panic attacks.

Panic attacks are sudden periods of rapid breathing, increased heartbeat and severe feeling of terror, fear and discomfort. People with panic disorders have panic even when there is no clear danger.  

Not everyone that experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorders.

Panic attacks felt by people with panic disorder can occur several times a day or week.

 It can be inherited. It can also be due to past trauma, major life stress, major life changes, smoking or excessive caffeine intake.

 

Symptoms of panic attacks

·         Pounding or racing heartbeat.

·         Sweating.

·         Shortness of breath.

·         Feeling out of control.

·         Feeling of impending doom (a sense that something tragic and bad is about to happen).

·         Nausea (a feeling of sickness and uneasiness in the stomach that is followed by the urge to vomit, but doesn’t always lead to vomiting).

·         Trembling.

·         Hot flashes (a sudden feeling and sensation of heat in the body).

 

4.       Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This is a condition of emotional and mental stress occurring as a result of severe psychological shock and failure to recover after a terrifying and distressing experience or being a witness to the traumatic event. PTSD can last for months and years, with triggers that cause flashbacks and memories of the trauma, which can lead to intense emotional and physical reactions.

 

Specific causes includes serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, loss of relative, abuse (including childhood or domestic abuse), health problems, childbirth experiences (such as losing a baby), life stressors (money and relationships), bullying or harassment, near-death experiences, experiencing people getting assaulted or killed, losing a loved one, being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, and so on.

Symptoms can begin months after the event, or years after. Some people recover within six months, while in others, it lasts longer. For some people, this condition becomes chronic (long-term).

 

Symptoms

·         Being easily frightened or startled.

·         Nightmares.

·         Avoiding situations that reminds you of or bring back the trauma.

·         Depression.

·         Agitation (a shaken state of emotions).

·         Irritability.

·         Hostility (unfriendly or aggressive behavior towards people or ideas).

·         Hyper vigilance (constantly assessing potential threats around you or always being on guard).

·         Self destructive behavior (for example, drinking too much or driving too fast).

·         Insomnia (inability to sleep).

·         Social isolation.

·         Fear and mistrust.

·         Trouble concentrating.

·         Overwhelming guilt or shame.

·         Loss of interest or pleasure in activities.

·         Loneliness.

·         Emotional detachment.

·         Intrusive thoughts.

 

5.       Social Anxiety Disorder (or Social Phobia)

This is a type of anxiety disorder that causes extreme and intense fear in social gatherings. It is the fear of being watched and judged by others. It is more than just being shy. People with this disorder find it difficult to attend social gatherings and talk to or meet new people. This makes it difficult to get through work, school or other day activities.

Potential causes include memories of public humiliation; history of being bullied; physical, sexual or emotional abuse;  overprotective parents; isolated upbringing; death of or deserted by parent; early traumatic event; social expectations; and genetics.

 

The fear of using public transportation, being in open or closed places, being in the midst of strangers and standing in line is called Agoraphobia.

 

Symptoms

·         Intense fear of interacting with strangers.

·         Afraid of being judged.

·         Worry about getting embarrassed and humiliated.

·         Concerned about offending someone.

·         Sweating and trembling.

·         Blushing.

·         Having a shaky voice.

·         Palpitations.

·         Avoiding eye contact.

·         Avoiding gatherings.

·         Nervousness and nausea.

·         Shortness of breath.

 

Those are the five types of anxiety disorder and their symptoms. We can see how anxiety disorder can affect one’s physical and mental health. But there must be a way to cope with all this, right?

Yes, these disorders can get better with:

•      Therapy (Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, psychotherapy, Aversion therapy, psycho education, rational emotive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy).
•      Medications (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, SSRIs, Anxiolytic).
•        Support groups.
•      Stress management and relaxation techniques (like meditation, exercise, breathing techniques, yoga and other activities that reduce stress).
•       Identify and seek out comforting situations, places and people.

I hope I’ve been able to explain the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorders, the types of anxiety disorders and how to cope with them.

Thanks for reading!