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Everyone experiences anxiety on certain occasions. It is a normal part of life that generally boosts energy and helps focus. It reflects in predicting future worries, is often related to muscular tension, and an anxious person exhibits avoidance behaviour. If such feelings are severe, last for over six months, and interfere with daily life, they could be predicted as an anxiety disorder.
People with Anxiety Often Experience the Following Symptoms
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Tiredness
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Tension
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Sweating
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Palpitations
However, they are more associated with extreme, constant, vivid fear of particular objects and circumstances.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a cluster of mental health disorders. They can range from simple phobias to generalised anxiety disorders (GAD) or more severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other disorders like body dysmorphic syndrome. Anxiety disorders can present alongside depression and substance use disorders which can lead to more serious mental health issues.
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Panic Attack
It's an abrupt experience of enormous fear that may happen due to factual circumstances or for no evident cause. People suffering from panic attacks are much more concerned about the next attack so they will avoid places and circumstances related to previous attacks.
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Phobias
The phobia could be real and create anxiety in certain situations. It's a feeling of extreme fear for any particular thing, condition, or activity. When people have phobias due to a particular condition or object, things can get out of control.
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Social Anxiety Disorder
It is associated with excessive fear of being judged by others, especially in social situations. In a few cases, people with a social anxiety disorder will be out of control due to extreme fear.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
In this disorder, patients may experience repeated irrelevant thoughts that result in repetitive behaviours like counting, checking, imagery etc • Illness Anxiety Disorder: It is also known as hypochondriasis, which is associated with a feeling of anxiousness about their health.
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Agoraphobia
Extreme fear can be experienced by patients who have agoraphobia in conditions like when they are placed in a crowd, in open areas, in enclosed areas, outside of their house, or while
utilising public transport. A person can make themselves housebound in the severest stage of agoraphobia.
These are only some of the examples of anxiety disorders commonly seen in clinical practice. Visit the best psychiatry hospital in Bangalore if you require diagnosis and treatment for any of the above disorders.
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?
Symptoms of a mental health disorder like anxiety are based on the type of disorder; commonly experienced symptoms include physical, mental, and behavioural symptoms.
Physical symptoms
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Cold hands
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Dryness of the mouth.
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Palpitations
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Nausea
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Tingling sensation in hands or feet.
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Muscular tension
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Shortening of breath
Mental symptoms
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Extreme fear and discomfort.
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Nightmares
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Repeated ways of experiencing trauma.
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Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
Behavioural symptoms
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Not able to stay calm.
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Ritualistic behaviour, such as washing hands frequently.
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Trouble sleeping.
Common Signs Indicating Anxiety Disorder
People experiencing anxiety disorders can frequently have the signs such as:
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The feeling of restlessness, nervousness, or being unable to relax.
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Being easily fatigued
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Difficulty in concentrating
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Getting irritated
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Headaches and stomachaches.
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Sleep disturbances
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Low mood and depression.
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Body aches and pains.
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Trembling, sweating, faintness, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or nausea.
How to Diagnose and Manage Anxiety Disorders?
No special lab tests or scans are required to diagnose anxiety disorders. A few tests can be performed to rule out any physical situations that may cause similar symptoms. A detailed psychiatric evaluation is confirmatory. Specially designed questionnaires can be used to screen for anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders include a cluster of mental health illnesses that make it challenging to lead a normal life. Treatments often include medications like antidepressants, anxiolytics, beta-blockers, etc.
Additionally, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and exposure & response prevention therapy help manage anxiety disorders. Consult a psychiatrist in Bangalore if you need treatment for managing anxiety disorders.
FAQs
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Mention the common anxiety disorder treatments.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and antidepressants are commonly employed to treat anxiety disorders.
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What are the best strategies to combat anxiety?
Positive affirmations, lifestyle changes and guided meditation are helpful.
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What are some common triggers for anxiety?
Having to deal with tough situations in life, whether in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, can trigger anxiety.
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