Anxiety Disorders
Description
Your heart beats faster, you breathe more rapidly, you tremble, and your stomach becomes upset. While these symptoms are classic by-products of fear, they also denote anxiety disorders. Unlike ordinary fear, the symptoms of an anxiety disorder stay with you for at least a month. Also unlike fear, you may not know exactly what it is that has you so distressed-or perhaps you do know what has you upset, but the problem is minor compared with the intensity of your emotional reaction. Among the many recognized types of anxiety disorders are panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety disorders have no single cause. In some, the condition can be traced to childhood fears or losses that are reactivated later in life. Psychological stressors, such as chronic chaos at work or an unhealthy relationship, can also cause anxiety disorders. Some experts believe that people with abnormalities of their neurotransmitters are more prone to getting anxiety disorders; others believe anxiety disorders are genetic.
Other associated medical problems, such as thyroid abnormalities, hypoglycemia, and hypoadrenia, can mimic anxiety disorders. So be sure to consult your healthcare provider for a thorough checkup to rule out any physical causes for your symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
- Episodes of shortness of breath
- Episodes of panic
- Excessive worrying
- Heart palpitations and/or increased heart rate
- Hyperventilation (breathing too heavily and deeply)
- Excessive sweating
- Numb sensation in hands and/or feet
- Stomach pains and/or gastrointestinal distress
- Chest pains
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Impatience and/or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Possible drug/alcohol abuse to numb feelings
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Filed under: Anxiety