Exploring The Symptoms And Effects Of Anxiety Disorders
Feelings of stress, fear, and dread are typically what is being referred to when we talk about anxiety. For many of us, anxiety seems to permeate our lives regardless of our situation or environment.
Anxiety is normal and most people will experience it from time to time; for example, it’s common to have a bit of anxiety in new social situations or professional roles. However, when you begin to experience mental and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life, an anxiety disorder could be the cause. Anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder can affect all areas of your life.
In this article, we will explore the most common anxiety symptoms, as well as the major types of anxiety disorders, how their negative effects can spread throughout your life, and what you can do to stop them in their tracks.
What are anxiety disorders?
These feelings, while very common, may indicate the presence of a disorder if they tend to persist. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders
There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but their symptoms tend to overlap in an anxiety disorder. The most common symptoms may include:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or impending doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal challenges or other physical conditions resulting in health problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger you
- Less common symptoms of anxiety disorders
Along with these common symptoms, an article published by AmeriDisability calls attention to some of the more rare symptoms that anxiety may lead to. These other symptoms can include:
- Indigestion
- Phantom ringing, or tinnitus
- Burning sensation on the skin, lips, tongue, or eyes
- Excessive yawning
- Derealization, or the feeling of not being in reality
- Blurred vision, dilated pupils, or watery eyes
- Skin rashes
- Cold hands or feet
Types of anxiety disorders
While a certain amount of occasional stress or nervousness is to be expected in everyday life, persistent anxiety that doesn’t seem to go away, or seems to worsen over time, could potentially indicate a mental health disorder.
The following are a few common anxiety disorders:
GAD is a disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry, and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke these symptoms.
Panic disorder
This disorder is often characterized by unexpected and repeated panic attacks, which are episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, trouble breathing, dizziness, or abdominal distress. People with panic disorder tend to experience fear of future attacks.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This disorder can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events may include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
Social phobia or social anxiety disorder
This is an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.
Separation anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder often leads people to experience excessive distress at the thought of being away from home or attachment figures. People with separation anxiety disorder may also experience fear when they are alone.
While each anxiety disorder will present in different ways, leaving symptoms untreated may result in long-term consequences that have the potential to spread throughout a person’s life in several ways.
Long-term effects of anxiety
When addressing anxiety symptoms, it is fairly easy to see how some of these can spread throughout a person’s life on a day-to-day basis. For example, the emotional manifestations of anxiety can easily cause disruptions at work or amid relationships, often leading to additional anxiety.
While each anxiety disorder, such as social anxiety disorder, presents in different ways, leaving symptoms untreated may result in long-term consequences that have the potential to spread throughout a person’s life in several ways. It can disrupt work and relationships during an intense situation, resulting in a higher risk of chronic issues and reducing regular functioning.
Pain and other physical effects of anxiety
Along with the psychological effects, recent studies show a strong link between anxiety and physical pain. An article published by Harvard Health details the overlap of anxiety and pain, noting it is particularly evident in chronic and sometimes disabling pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, headaches, and nerve pain.
The article cites an example, stating that nearly two-thirds of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who are referred for follow-up care have psychological distress symptoms, typically related to anxiety.
Treatment options for different types of anxiety and other mental health conditions
Thankfully, there are various types of effective treatments available for anxiety and other mental health disorders. Oftentimes, psychotherapy alone can be effective in treating both the psychological and physiological symptoms of anxiety. The most common types of psychotherapy utilized in anxiety treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation training. In a 2020 meta-analysis, CBT showed substantial benefits in reducing symptoms.
Online therapy for anxiety disorder symptoms and other mental health conditions
According to Harvard Health, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) serves as more than an established treatment for anxiety. It is also the best-studied psychotherapy for treating pain, as CBT is based on the premise that thoughts, feelings, and sensations are all related.
Due to the nature of anxiety, it is not uncommon to feel its symptoms when it comes to reaching out for help. Because of this, online therapy may offer a more comfortable and convenient option, giving participants the ability to receive therapy from the comfort of their own homes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety
Based on research, cognitive behavioral therapy serves as an effective treatment for anxiety symptoms and other mental health conditions. Additional research shows that the recent uptick in digital mental health interventions has been shown to have significant positive effects on the well-being of participants, resulting in the conclusion that online therapy is equally as effective as in-person therapy.
Takeaway
How to deal with stress?
If you find it difficult to manage stress on your own, you may be interested in working with a mental health provider, therapist, or counselor to address stress and other mental health disorders and concerns. You can also learn to spot stress in everyday situations, practice physical health-boosting activities, and remind yourself there’s no logical reason to let tension take over.
What happens if GAD is severe?
Occasional anxiety is normal and happens to most people; generalized anxiety disorder, when severe, can be more difficult to handle. It can be more challenging to treat symptoms of this disorder and stress, especially when anxiety-related complications arise. Individuals may find that their usual stress management techniques, such as regular exercise, meditation, or journaling, for example, are not enough to treat severe mental health conditions.
In severe cases, a generalized anxiety disorder can trigger panic attacks with a pounding heart and heart palpitations, leading to overwhelming fear in certain situations. In these situations, it may be beneficial to try medications or work with a therapist. In these situations, it may be beneficial to try medications or work with a therapist to manage panic attacks. Be aware that excessive anxiety can even affect blood flow and raise high blood pressure.
What is the most serious form of anxiety?
Some may consider panic disorder, an anxiety disorder, to be the most severe form of anxiety since the symptoms of panic disorder can be debilitating. However, other disorders, such as social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), for example, can also be very distressing. Anxiety disorders exist on a spectrum, and each carries its own risk profile.
What are the symptoms of severe health anxiety?
People experiencing severe health anxiety may find themselves constantly hyperaware of any physical sensations, such as chest pain, that they may be experiencing. They may believe any slight change in sensation is indicative of a major health problem and unwanted thoughts. They may check their pulse, breathing rate, and overall physical sense of well-being repeatedly, even noticing shallow breathing, even if this “checking” makes symptoms worse. People with this condition may be so worried about their health that it interferes with their ability to work and function normally. This can also weaken the immune system and increase what may already be frequent illnesses.
How can I treat GAD without medication?
You may find relief from symptoms by implementing lifestyle changes like regular exercise, meditation, journaling, and spending time engaging in hobbies you enjoy, as supported by a meta-analysis. The National Institute of Health and the American Psychiatric Association offer tips and resources for living with anxiety, whether it’s social or unspecified anxiety disorder. You may also find it beneficial to work with a therapist to address this and other anxiety disorders and to develop healthy drinking motives or reset weight gain patterns that sometimes accompany stress.
How can I manage the symptoms of GAD?
You can work with a mental health specialist or primary care physician to treat this medical condition with anti-anxiety medications. You may also benefit from support groups where you can find connection and solidarity with other people experiencing these disorders and other symptoms. Learning deep breathing to get more oxygen to your brain can calm your nervous system.
What triggers people's GAD?
Risk factors that trigger anxiety and its symptoms include increased stress, hormonal changes, experiencing traumatic events, or major life changes. Certain mental disorders, like post-traumatic stress disorder, excessive anxiety, or depression, may also trigger anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and selective mutism. Specific phobias, heart disease, and social anxiety disorder contexts can also play a part. Other triggers include chronic health issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, or viral infections, which may result in an increased risk of anxiety episodes. In an intense situation, you may feel an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
What happens if I leave my GAD untreated?
Leaving anxiety untreated may lead to symptoms worsening and an increased risk of complications. It’s possible for this disorder to resolve itself in time, but for many people, taking steps to treat it or other mental health conditions can help improve their quality of life and mental health. Otherwise, one may face anxiety-related complications or even suicidal thoughts in severe cases.
Is severe anxiety a mental illness?
Severe anxiety could be considered GAD or another type of anxiety disorder. Severe anxiety could be labeled a social anxiety disorder in some cases, or categorized under other anxiety disorders per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Although severe forms are a normal part of the human experience at times, they can go beyond and disrupt regular functioning. It can be considered a serious illness or a chronic medical condition that affects day-to-day life.
How can you deal with stress?
If you find it difficult to manage stress on your own, you may be interested in working with a therapist or counselor to address stress and other mental health concerns. Sometimes, even a brief boost of movement or deep breathing can help reset your immune system and ease stress. If stress persists, you may feel trapped by worry and require additional support.
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