Anxiety is a person’s tendency to worry. People feel apprehensive about important events, moments of responsibility and so on. If this state arises for no apparent reason, medical help is needed. Anxiety manifests itself in a whole group of conditions known as pathological anxiety states.
The main causes of this condition are:
- emotional experiences of every kind;
- the family atmosphere and upbringing;
- post-traumatic stress;
- inner conflict (problems with self-esteem, dissatisfaction).
Physical symptoms include:
- difficulty breathing;
- rapid pulse;
- tightness in the chest;
- dizziness;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- nausea;
- pronounced anxiety and emotional tension before the onset of panic attacks;
- frequent mood swings;
- numbness in the limbs.
Psychological symptoms include:
- Disorientation;
- A feeling of fear.
An anxiety disorder can lead to the development of other conditions, such as:
- depression;
- dependence on sedatives or alcohol;
- insomnia;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- headache;
- social isolation;
- suicide attempts.
The main anxiety disorders include:
Panic disorder — the main symptoms are recurrent attacks of irrational anxiety (panic) that are not confined to a particular situation or set of circumstances.
Agoraphobia — a group of anxiety disorders that includes a number of phobias, among them a morbid fear of open spaces and public places. Agoraphobia is one of the most disabling forms of phobic disorder.
Generalised anxiety disorder — manifests as a persistent feeling of dread and tension and an ongoing fear of a wide variety of life events, even when their likelihood is extremely low.
Social phobia — this anxiety disorder is based on a fear of presenting oneself to others, of being embarrassed, ridiculed or humiliated, which leads to avoidance of such situations. It is often associated with low self-esteem and fear of criticism.
Treatment of anxiety disorders
The treatment of anxiety disorders combines several methods: changes to the patient’s lifestyle, psychotherapy and medication. Therapy for generalised anxiety disorder is based on psychoactive medication such as antidepressants. Medication should never be stopped without medical advice.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders can take various forms: individual, group or family therapy. The main focus of treatment is to change the patient’s attitude towards the fears that arise.
