What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension, uneasiness, agitation, uncertainty and fear. While we all feel anxious and worried from time to time, an anxiety disorder can prevent you from coping and disrupt your daily life.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
- Persistent apprehensive expectations or worry about many different events or activities that you find hard to control
- Increased tension, restlessness, irritability, helplessness, inadequacy, distress, difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Physical signs such as palpitations, trembling, sweating, muscle tension, sleep difficulties, nausea, aches and pains.
- Some people experience panic attacks or worry about having them while others have excessive and persistent fear of a specific object or situation.
Panic Attack - Extreme Fear
Many individuals with different anxiety disorders experience panic attacks.
A panic attack is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by at least 4 physical symptoms:
- Racing heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling as though you 'can't get enough air'
- Terror that is almost paralyzing, dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea, trembling, sweating, shaking, choking and chest pains
- Hot flashes, or sudden chills tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
- Fear that you're going to go crazy or are about to die
Panic attacks occur suddenly without warning and the fear experienced is completely disproportionate to the situation or even unrelated to it. They reach maximum intensity within a minute or two and gradually diminish over 30 minutes to a couple of hours. A combination of behavioural and cognitive therapies and medication are the best treatment. |
What causes Anxiety?
Sometimes life changes or stressful events can trigger anxieties but often there is no obvious cause.
How serious is it and how long will it last?
This varies from person to person. Anxiety caused by stressful life events can be acute and short-term while generalized anxiety can be chronic and last for many years but with periods of little or no anxiety.
Can it be treated?
Different persons benefit from different forms of treatment:
- Relaxation techniques such as meditation and visual imagery
- Supportive therapy from a counsellor or a skilled friend
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Behavioural Therapy using techniques like desensitization
- Various types of medications have been successful in controlling the symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, and bring relief. Benzodiazepines and antidepressants have also shown success
Note: This document is not a substitute for professional medical / psychiatric / psychological consultation
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