According to a study conducted in 2017, 197 million Indians were suffering from mental disorders, of whom 46 million had depression and 45 million anxiety disorders. The prevalence rate is increasing across India, especially in Southern states affecting women. Source: the print.com
Reading through many articles, news and stories we may often come across words like - ‘anxiousness’, or ‘anxiety’. We might presume this word to be an alternate of ‘worrying’, which is correct to some extent but behind this lays a deep meaning and understanding.
Anxiety is a term we denote to when there is an overwhelming or unmanageable problem, more like comes up unexpectedly but don’t worry it is a normal reaction towards danger. People who suffer from anxiety may try avoid facing anxiety provoking stimulus to move on with their lives.
At some point, anxiety plays a keen role in improving our performances or fighting against dangerous situations to keep us safe and to maintain homeostasis between our bodily functions. The physical response of our body during fight-flight system comes from our autonomic nervous system which determines our next move towards a particular situation. However, if the constant feeling of agitation and fear interferes in our daily life we term this into- Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety disorders involve significant fear, agitation, and nervousness and can impair functioning in any or all spheres of life, including school, work, and interpersonal relationships (Abnormal psychology by: Robin Rosenberg and Steven Kosslyn). Depression and anxiety two relative words who gains a lot of attention when carrying out the stats of study. So, how to recognise the symptoms?
These involve:
Feelings of apprehension
Constantly checking the environment for any sought of danger.
Have a difficulty in concentrating
Tensed or over jumpy
Irritability
Shortness of breath
Tensed muscles or shaking body.
Insomnia
Pounding of heart and Sweating.
Dizziness
Racing thoughts or unwanted thoughts.
Some of these symptoms mentioned above might be normal to experience in daily lives but people who are suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, may suffer them on daily basis which results into disrupting their routine. It is important to note that seeking treatment in this condition is an absolute must because there are some studies whom indicate instances of depression and their effect on anxiety, Vice versa.
Types of Anxiety and Phobia
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
A common type of anxiety disorder in which a person has feelings of dread and apprehension along with physical symptoms of stress, which lasts up to six months or more. The stimulus or source of this triggering response is still sensed to be unknown and neither the victim is aware about it. Symptoms may include:
Tendency to worry about situations, people or objects.
Tension
Muscle aches
Sleeping problems
Concentration problems
Social Anxiety Disorder
This disorder involves a fear of interacting with others or being in social situations and is one of the most common phobias people experience. People suffering from this disorder tends to avoid social gatherings or speaking in public as their belief holds them to think of doing something embarrassing or Humiliating. Symptoms may include:
Stage fright
Fear of public speaking
Fear of urinating in public
Fear of eating with others
Panic Disorder
Disorder in which panic attack occur more than once or repeatedly, and cause persistent feeling of worrying or changes in behaviour. Symptoms may include:
Various physical symptoms
Racing heart
Dizziness
Rapid breathing
Dulled senses
Feelings of terror
Agoraphobia
In this phobic disorder, an individual fears to be in a place or situation where escape is difficult or next to impossible. The anxiety is present in more than one situation. Symptoms may include:
Using public transportation
Open spaces
Enclosed places
Being in crowd
Specific Phobia
An irrational fear of some object or specific situations, such as fear of dogs or a fear of being in small, enclosed spaces. For example: Claustrophobia, Trypanophobia (Fear of injections), fear of dental work (Odontophobia), Hematophobia (fear of blood). Symptoms may include:
Fear of specific objects
Natural environment objects
Situations, such as flying
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Disorder in which intruding, recurring thoughts or obsessions create anxiety that is relieved by doing a repetitive behaviour or mental act. Symptoms may include:
Compulsive behaviour
Hypervigilance
Meaningless repetition of own words
Social isolation
Agitation
Nightmares
Repeatedly going over thoughts
Causes and Risk Factors
As there have been no specific cause behind anxiety problems but researchers do have pointed some risk factors and causes that may cause anxiety disorders. These include:
Genetics or family history in anxiety and depression
Stressors (a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from certain situations.), Environmental.
Substance abuse or withdrawal
Medical conditions
Traumatic experiences or history of child sexual abuse
Low self-esteem.
Takeaway Message
The purpose of this article is to help the viewers get familiar with the term anxiety, its Symptoms, Types and Causes and Risk factors.
The above mentioned material may vary among people and the guidelines may change overtime.
SpeakyourMind.in (free listening service) will soon be posting treatment measures to help it’s viewers.
References
DSM-V, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
ICD, The International classification of diseases
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