Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. These disorders alter how a person processes emotions and behave, also causing physical symptoms. Mild anxiety might be vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety may seriously affect day-to-day living.
Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States. The term "anxiety disorder" refers to specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry, and includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and panic attacks, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety, and specific phobias.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
The symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the specific disorder but generally include:
- Persistent Worrying or Obsession: about small or large concerns that are out of proportion to the impact of the event.
- Inability to Set Aside a Worry: despite attempts to ignore or suppress it.
- Restlessness: and feeling keyed up or on edge.
- Fatigue: easily more pronounced during periods of intense anxiety.
- Difficulty Concentrating: or feeling as though the mind goes blank.
- Irritability: which may be more noticeable than the other symptoms.
- Muscle Tension: tensing your jaw, balling your fists, or flexing muscles throughout your body.
- Sleep Disturbances: such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness at night, and unsatisfying sleep.
- Panic Attacks: characterized by sudden feelings of terror, rapid heartbeat, sweatiness, weakness, faintness, or dizziness. Some people might experience chest pain or breathing difficulties and may worry that they are having a heart attack.
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can arise from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Some common triggers include:
- Genetic Factors: Anxiety disorders can run in families.
- Brain Chemistry: Misalignments of hormones and electrical signals in the brain.
- Environmental Stressors: Such as difficulties at work, relationship problems, or family issues.
- Medical Factors: The side effects of medication, symptoms of a disease, or stress from a serious underlying medical condition.
- Withdrawal from an Illicit Substance: the effects of which might intensify the impact of other possible causes.
Treating Anxiety at Freesia Health
At Freesia Health, we employ a holistic approach to treat anxiety, recognizing that effective treatment plans must address both physiological and psychological components. Our treatment strategies include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy is highly effective for most anxiety disorders and involves learning to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to troublesome feelings.
- Medication: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta-blockers can be used to control some of the physical and mental symptoms.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Including physical activity, reducing caffeine and sugar intake, and promoting regular sleep patterns can support overall mental health.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Such as meditation and breathing exercises to help maintain a calm and focused mind.
- Support Groups: Sharing your struggles and successes with others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly supportive and reassuring.
Conclusion
Anxiety is manageable with the right treatment and support. At Freesia Health, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care that helps individuals manage their anxiety symptoms effectively. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, we encourage you to reach out for help. Together, we can find a treatment plan that works best for you.
