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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.
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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
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. |
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. |
