ANXIETY DISORDER, TYPES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

ANXIETY DISORDER, TYPES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.

TYPES OF DISORDERS: Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term that includes different conditions:

▪ PANIC DISORDER: You feel terror that strikes at random. During a panic attack, you may also sweat, have chest pain, and feel palpitations (unusually strong or irregular heartbeats). Sometimes you may feel like you are choking or having a heart attack.

▪ SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER: It is also called social phobia, this is when you feel overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. You fixate about others judging you or on being embarrassed or ridiculed.

▪ SPECIFIC PHOBIAS: You feel intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying. The fear goes beyond what’ is appropriate and may cause you to avoid ordinary situations.

▪ GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER: You feel excessive, unrealistic worry and tension with little or no reason.

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER: All anxiety disorders share some general symptoms:

▪Panic, fear, and uneasiness

▪Sleep problems

▪Not being able to stay calm and still

▪Cold, sweaty, numb or tingling hands or feet

▪Shortness of breath

▪Heart palpitations

▪Dry mouth

TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY DISORDER: The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications.

* PSYCHOTHERAPY: Also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, it involves working with a therapist to reduce your anxiety symptoms. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities you've avoided because of anxiety.

* MEDICATIONS: Several 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 issues. For example:

Certain antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

An anti-anxiety medication called buspirone may be prescribed.

In limited circumstances, your doctor may prescribe other types of medications, such as sedatives, also called benzodiazepines, or beta blockers. These medications are for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and are not intended to be used long term.

Talk with your doctor about benefits, risks and possible side effects of medications.