Is anxiety disorder a serious mental illness?

Anxiety and stress are normal emotions that are present in everyone’s life. Anxiety in one off instances such as with meeting deadlines at work, before taking an important exam or before an important event of life are normal and everyone goes through them at some point or the other.

Anxiety disorders are however different since they are extreme anxieties that interfere with one’s ability to function and lead a normal life. They are often a cause of concern as they can impact an individual’s life to a large extent.

Is anxiety disorder a mental illness?

Anxiety disorders are mental disorders that are characterized by feelings of fear and anxiety. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illness affecting almost over 21% adults. Anxiety disorders instill a feeling of fear and uncertainty that can leave the patient distressed and restless for no apparent reasons. Eventually, as the disease progresses if timely treatment is not undertaken it can reduce productivity and hamper an individual’s quality of life.

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

Generalized anxiety disorder: This is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders. In this disease, the patients face exaggerated worry symptoms on routine life events. It is not a one-time worry and generally keeps recurring lasting for at least six months or more. Other symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder include: weakness, trembling, headaches and nausea.

Panic Disorder:

Panics attacks or panic disorders are generally characterized by sudden and repeated feelings of terror. These can occur with or without any apparent reasons and when worsened can lead to symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, heart pounding, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, strange feelings which could be imaginary.

Phobia:

Fears of different kinds are generally termed as phobias. These are characterized by disabling and irrational fears of things that do not actually possess dangers of any kind. Due to the fear, patients tend to avoid the concerned objects or activities.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

Post traumatic anxiety disorders generally surface after one experiences traumatic events such as war, rape, child abuse or natural disasters. This form of stress disorder is characterized by symptoms like Nightmares, flashbacks, anger and depression. In these situations counselling is extremely helpful as such patients are prone to reacting violently harming themselves and others.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Fear of facing a large crowd, being exposed to unknown people and talking to strangers is known as social anxiety disorder. In this disorder individuals are permanently under stress of getting embarrassed or mocked at by others. When such situations are unavoidable, these individuals can get extremely anxious and find ways of avoiding such social situations.

Signs that can help identify anxiety disorder

Distinguishing an anxiety disorder with normal anxiety can be tricky. Telling an individual that he/she may be suffering from a mental illness like anxiety disorder can be difficult as it may not be taken too well by the patient. Seeking help from a professional counsellor or a medical expert is extremely important in dealing with such sensitive medical conditions. Here are a few signs that can be used as a guide to tell if a person is undergoing normal anxiety or an anxiety disorder:

Physical symptoms:

●Nausea or vomiting
●Dizziness and a loss of balance
●Frequent urination
●Diarrhea which does not have a medical reason
●Trembling
●Frequent Headaches
●Fatigue or weakness
●Insomnia or Restless while sleeping
●Sweating
●Heart pounding, increased heart rate and breathlessness
●Muscular tension

Emotional symptoms:

●Excessive worrying without any reason
●Mind filled with too many thoughts finding it difficult to concentrate and focus
●Irritability
●Constant feeling of tension and nervousness
●Anticipating the most negative outcomes
●Obsessing over hidden dangers
●Feeling of apprehension
●Mind going blank

Managing Anxiety disorders

Anxiety treatment, using self-help therapies under professional guidance works well for those experiencing mild symptoms of anxiety disorder. There are several of treatments used to treat anxiety disorders. Healthy living with a balanced lifestyle is the most essential requirement to keep anxiety disorder and other forms of illnesses at bay.

Have a hobby:

The best way to deal to anxiety related stress is to keep oneself engaged in activities that involve meeting others, and keeping the mind engaged. Activities or hobbies that one finds interesting should be pursued to keep the mind away from unwanted wandering thoughts that manifest into the disorder. These activities go a long way in keeping negative thoughts and worries at bay by keeping the mind occupied in a constructive way.

Exercise:

Those who maintain an active lifestyle are less likely to get affected by situations. Regular exercise keeps the body and mind active and healthy. Treating anxiety with regular exercises can help in relieving a number of symptoms and can help in patients managing the disease better. According to a study conducted, people carrying out some or the other form of physical exercise could improve their anxiety symptoms and relieve depression. As one exercises the brain transmits certain feel good chemicals that help in tackling with anxiety, depression and stress related emotions.

Work out also diverts us from our fears and breaks the series of depressing thought that lead to nervous feelings. Hence exercise is considered as the more positive approach to handling anxiety disorders rather than using drugs or alcohol to cope with the issue.

Practice meditation and deep breathing:

Inhaling and exhaling movements involved in exercise systems like yoga are extremely helpful in sending positive signals to the brain and thereby calming the brain nerves.

Understanding anxiety triggers:

If one is suffering from an anxiety disorder, it is important to know what the possible triggers that could lead to an anxiety attack. In some cases, doctors recommend maintaining a log or a journal that keeps a record of the events that led to the anxiety attack for the patient.

Limiting the intake of alcohol or caffeine:

Alcohol or caffeine consumed in excess are known to worsen anxiety attacks. Patients must restrict the consumption of these for better management.

Medications used to treat anxiety

Anxiety medications can go a long way in helping patients deal with anxiety disorders. There are drugs available to treat both acute as well as milder forms of anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers and antipsychotics can all be used as anti-anxiety medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that assess the mental and physical aspects of mental illness.

Buspirone (BuSpar) is a well-known antianxiety drug that helps in effectively managing anxiety and its symptoms. Buspirone (BuSpar) is a long term drug and takes anywhere between 2-3 weeks to start showing an impact.

SSRIs for Anxiety

Anti-anxiety drugs generally recommended to most patients belong to the antidepressant category of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). While these medicines are mainly antidepressants, problems related to anxiety may be impacts as shown. Drugs that work on the brain chemical, norepinephrine, serotonin are also used as drugs for anxiety.

SSRIs are non-addictive, long term medications. An anti-anxiety effect from this class of medicines is usually seen within 2-4 weeks depending upon the intensity and dosage prescribed. SSRIs are generally prescribed for the following types of anxiety disorders:

●Generalized anxiety disorder (GAL)
●Panic disorder
●Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
●Social phobia

Benzodiazepines for Anxiety

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed short term antianxiety medications. Usage of these classes of drugs is up to a maximum of six weeks or less or recommended to treat acute cases of anxiety disorders like panic attacks. Benzodiazepines (often just known as benzos) are often used as complementary medication to other lines of prescribed drugs.

Benzodiazepines come with a risk of risk of dependence, abuse and withdrawal; hence there is a need to monitor the consumption of the same carefully under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner. Benzodiazepines are strictly not recommended for in cases where patients have previously had drug or alcohol use issues.

Benzodiazepines can be used to treat any form of anxiety including:

●Panic attacks
●Situational anxiety
●Adjustment disorder

Antipsychotic Anxiety Medication

While the name "antipsychotic" suggests the drug is used to treat psychosis, these classes of medicines. Recommending this medicine does not indicate the presence of psychosis. Antipsychotics are often used to enhance the treatment and complement the other anxiety medication. Antipsychotics can be prescribed as the lone treatment medicine but are generally not considered as the first choice of antianxiety medication. Antipsychotics are long-term treatment options and are mostly helpful in treating GAD symptoms.

Blood Pressure Drugs Including Beta-Blockers for Anxiety
These classes of drugs are known as antihypertensive agents. In other words, these drugs are primarily planned to reduce the blood pressure. Antihypertensive may have a positive result on the anxiety physiological effects. Anti-anxiety medicines are prescribed to be consumed at the time of anxiety attacks; however the effect felts for one week afterwards. However, these are also known to be useful in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Anticonvulsant Anxiety Medications

Anticonvulsants are also prescribed in some cases as antianxiety medications. This is mainly due to their ability to increase a chemical in the brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps in calming the central nervous system which is extremely helpful for those suffering from anxiety.