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Anxiety disorders are types of emotional upset. The person feels highly aroused, in great discomfort and afraid of a panic attack. Often there appears to be no reason for the way the person feels. This makes an anxiety attack even more worrying. An anxiety disorder is a constant feeling of tension. it is not the mild anxiety which we all occasionally feel.
There are different types of anxiety disorders
There are several different types of anxiety disorder. They include:
- Generalised anxiety disorder - anxiety and fear about approaching events.
- Agoraphobia - anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape seems difficult.
- Specific phobia - a persistent and irrational fear of certain objects or situations, such as animals, places or people.
- Social phobia - anxiety when under the scrutiny of others.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder - recurring obsessions or compulsions, where the person feels anxious if they try to resist these thoughts or behaviours
- Post traumatic stress disorder - high anxiety and feelings of fear about events which have happened in the past.
Panic attacks occur in most anxiety disorders
A panic attack is common to each type of anxiety disorder. A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense terror which may occur in certain situations, or for no reason. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Choking
- Nausea
Sufferers say they feel like they are going to die. The cause of panic attacks is unknown but they are most likely a chemical response in the brain, caused by stressful events or thinking about stressful events.
A common problem
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem. They occur in one in 10 people. In most cases, they result from a range of physical, chemical and situational factors which make them difficult to diagnose. In nearly all situations, people who suffer from high generalised anxiety are most in danger from anxiety disorders.
Type of help available
To develop the best treatment options, careful medical and psychological assessments are needed. Each case will be treated using a combination of interventions. This could include:
- Drug therapy
- Education
- Psychological therapy
- Education and counselling are very important to help the person understand their feelings and what to do when the symptoms start.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your community health centre
Things to remember
- Anxiety disorders are quite common.
- An anxiety disorder is a constant feeling of tension, not just occasional feelings of mild anxiety.
- Education and counselling with a trusted professional will help the person cope with the disorder
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