Feelings of anxiety: when should you contact a specialist?

What is anxiety?

Very often anxiety is confused with fear, but anxiety and fear are two different states, although they are inseparable from each other. Fear differs from anxiety in that there is always an object that causes this feeling, which can be met, seen, overcome.

With anxiety it's different. Often it exists on its own, without apparent reason. If anxious thoughts occur infrequently, and you can cope with them, then this is natural. However, if you don’t know how to get rid of the anxiety that constantly keeps you in suspense, you need the help of a specialist - there are signs of an incipient mental disorder.

How anxiety manifests itself - the main symptoms

Everyone is different, and anxiety is different for everyone - it can have emotional, psychological or physical symptoms. It has been noticed that the anxiety in the soul from the manifestation of physical symptoms only intensifies.

Psychological and emotional symptoms include:

• sleep disorders;
• excitement in anticipation of future events; it seems that all troubles, troubles, disasters are directed against you;
• inability to concentrate and concentrate due to unreasonable anxiety;
• constant feeling of anxiety and bad premonitions;
• groundless obsessive fears, even if their inconsistency is clear;
• irritability and increased nervousness;
• panic attacks and depression.

Physical symptoms of anxiety may include:

• loss of appetite;
• weaknesses;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• vomiting;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• increased sweating;
• unknown pain in the chest;
• weakening of sexual feelings;
• breathing disorders;
• muscle spasms and muscle pain.

Symptoms of anxiety

Vegetative (somatic) signs are physical, the most common of them are:

• dizziness;
• rapid heartbeat or, conversely, freezing of the rhythm;
• trembling of hands and feet;
• "bear" disease;
• sweating;
• muscle spasms - usually in the collar area;
• general weakness;
• pain in the heart area;
• unpleasant stench from the mouth;
• being thrown into heat or cold;
• lump in throat, excessive dry mouth;
• increase in pressure and temperature;
• lack of air.

The mental symptoms are:

• depressed mood;
• concern
• fear of death;
• absent-mindedness;
• excitability or depression;
• hypochondria;
• insomnia;
• fast fatiguability;
• feeling overwhelmed;
• emotional stress, etc.

This cannot be done harmlessly for the body - there is a risk of developing a psychosomatic illness.

Main types of anxiety states

Social anxiety. Feelings of anxiety engulf a person in crowded places. Someone feels very anxious when being with other people in a confined space - it could be a store, a bus, a subway, an elevator. It seems to someone that he is doing everything wrong, thereby attracting increased attention from others - this threatens the cessation of any contacts and a decrease in the sense of self-worth. Many people feel anxious when they have to speak in front of a large audience.

Generalized anxiety disorder. This type of anxiety often turns into depression. It would seem that there are no apparent reasons, but anxiety and fear settled in the soul. Sometimes you manage to forget yourself, but after some time the state of anxiety returns again. Such thoughts interfere with daily responsibilities.

Post-traumatic anxiety. In this case, a person is constantly haunted by disturbing memories of some unpleasant or terrible event, his thoughts are occupied with avoiding this in the future.

Existential anxiety. This is a state in which a person thinks that he will one day die and disappear. This gives rise to disturbing thoughts about death, about the futility of life, about one’s own moral inadequacy to certain criteria.

Causes of anxiety for no reason

Experts believe that anxiety comes from childhood. At first, children are afraid of fairy-tale characters - Baba Yaga, Koshchei the Immortal, the Serpent Gorynych and the darkness, punishment for wrongdoing; getting older - cars, being behind in school, bad grades, etc. A grown child experiences anxiety about work, the environment at home, the well-being and health of himself and his loved ones.

People are often frightened by the absence of reasons to worry: this, in their opinion, is a clear signal that something bad is about to happen.

Unreasonable anxiety can also appear in an adult during the decision-making process. He needs to make a choice, and he is afraid of doing it wrong and being punished for it.

Stress can also trigger this feeling, brain studies have confirmed this. In a crisis situation, the brain uses additional reserves, building up an excess of neurons, and thereby remembers the situation. The subconscious forces you to return to it from time to time, to remember it, recreating anxiety when there is no reason for it at the moment.

The researchers also concluded that a child whose parents suffer from anxiety attacks is also at risk of developing them over time.

Now let's try to summarize the origins of anxiety. True, this cannot be done with high accuracy, since people react differently to events occurring in life.

Here are the factors leading to unreasonable anxiety:

• transmission at the gene level, that is, by inheritance;
• female gender, since representatives of the fair half of humanity are by nature more receptive than men;
• childhood traumas, overly strict upbringing, problematic family;
• too high demands on oneself, perfectionism.

What these points have in common is that too much importance is attached to the traumatic situation, and this triggers the mechanism for the appearance of the described feeling.

How to get rid of anxiety

The problem of anxiety and the conditions associated with it has its own solution, and it can be dealt with. If you are overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, the first thing to do is make an appointment with a doctor. The main thing is to prevent anxiety from moving to another level when signs of depression appear, which is much more difficult to cope with.

Our Mental Health clinic is most often visited by those who are unable to independently get rid of anxiety that interferes with normal life and drives them into a dead end. Correcting feelings of anxiety usually does not take much time—experienced psychologists can handle this in a few sessions. The doctor will help to identify the cause that led to the alarming state and prescribe the course of necessary treatment.

The doctors at our clinic will help you overcome feelings of anxiety, find peace of mind, and restore the joy of communicating with others and the world. Signing up for a consultation today means your peaceful life tomorrow. If you live in another city, then remote consultations will help you.

Does anxiety interfere with your normal life? Call us

Anxiety disorders and anxiety attacks

It's normal to feel anxious in the face of a difficult situation, such as a job interview, a difficult exam, or a blind date. But if your concerns and fears seem overwhelming and interfere with your daily life, then you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. There are many different types of anxiety disorders and many effective treatments and self-help strategies. Once you have determined that you have an anxiety disorder, there are steps you can take to reduce your symptoms and regain control of your life.

What is the meaning of anxiety disorder

Anxiety is the body's natural reaction to danger. This is an automatic alarm that comes on when you feel threatened, under pressure or are faced with a stressful situation.

In moderation, anxiety is not always bad. In fact, anxiety helps you stay alert and focused, stimulates action, and motivates you to solve problems. But when anxiety becomes constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with your relationships and activities, it ceases to be functional. This means you've crossed the line between normal, productive anxiety and anxiety disorder territory.

Do you have symptoms that indicate an anxiety disorder?

If you find yourself with several of the following symptoms that just won't go away, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

• Are you constantly tense, worried, or irritated?
• Do you suffer from fears that you agree are irrational, but you can't get rid of them?
• Do you believe that something bad will happen if certain things are not done a certain way?
• Do you try to avoid everyday situations or activities because they make you feel anxious?
• Do you experience sudden and unexpected panic attacks and heart palpitations?
• Do you feel like danger and disaster await you around every corner?

Signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders

Because anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions rather than a single disorder, they can vary greatly from person to person. One person may suffer from intense anxiety attacks that come without warning, while another may panic at the thought of a crowded party. Some may struggle with a crippling fear of driving or uncontrollable intrusive thoughts. And some may live in constant tension, worrying about nothing and everything at the same time.

Despite their different forms, all anxiety disorders share one core symptom: persistent or severe fear or worry in situations that most people would not feel threatened by.

Emotional symptoms of anxiety

In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

• Feeling of danger or fear.
• Problems concentrating.
• Feeling nervous and tense.
• Expecting the worst.
• Irritability.
• Restlessness, impatience.
• Look out for signs of danger.
• Feeling like your mind is empty.

Physical symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety is more than just a feeling. As a consequence of the body's fight-or-flight response, anxiety includes a wide range of physical symptoms. Due to its many physical symptoms, sufferers often mistakenly consider anxiety to be a medical problem. They may visit many doctors and make numerous trips to the hospital before their anxiety disorder is discovered.

Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• Cardiopalmus
• Increased sweating
• Upset stomach or dizziness
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Irregular breathing
• Tremor
• Muscle tension
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Link between anxiety symptoms and depression
• Many people with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression at some point. Anxiety and depression are believed to stem from the same biological vulnerability, which may explain why they so often go hand in hand. Since depression worsens anxiety (and vice versa), it is important to seek treatment for both conditions.

Anxiety attacks and their symptoms

Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there's an obvious trigger—you're stuck in an elevator, for example, or you're thinking about an important speech. But in other situations, panic attacks come out of nowhere.

Anxiety attacks usually peak within 10 minutes, and they rarely last more than 30 minutes. But in that short period of time, the horror can be so severe that you feel like you're going to die or completely lose control.

The physical symptoms of an anxiety attack themselves are so frightening that many people believe they are having a heart attack. After an anxiety attack has ended, you may worry that it will happen again, especially if it happens in a public place where help is not available or where you cannot simply escape.

Symptoms of an anxiety attack include:

• A burst of overwhelming panic
• Feeling out of control or crazy
• Palpitations or chest pain
• Feeling like you need to get out or leave
• Difficulty breathing or feeling of suffocation
• Hyperventilation
• Hot flashes or chills
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• Feeling disconnected from reality, unrealistic

It is important to seek help immediately as soon as you start avoiding certain situations or places because you are afraid of experiencing an anxiety attack. The good news is that panic attacks are highly treatable. In fact, many people get rid of panic after 5-8 treatment sessions.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are six main types of anxiety disorders, each with their own set of different symptoms: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder (anxiety attacks), phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder

If persistent worries and fears distract you from day-to-day activities, or you have a persistent feeling that something bad is about to happen, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD are chronic panickers who feel anxious almost all the time, although they may not even know why. The anxiety associated with GAD often manifests itself as physical symptoms: insomnia, stomach upset, restlessness, and fatigue.

Panic disorder (anxiety attacks)

Panic disorders are characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as the fear of experiencing another episode. Panic disorders can also be accompanied by agoraphobia, a fear of going to places where it would be difficult to escape or get help in the event of a panic attack. If you have agoraphobia, you most likely try to avoid public places, such as shopping malls, or enclosed spaces, such as airplanes.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors that cannot be stopped or controlled. If you have OCD, you're likely worried about intrusive thoughts, such as recurring worries that you forgot to turn off the oven or that you might hurt someone. You may also suffer from uncontrollable urges, such as washing your hands over and over again.

Phobia

A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality poses no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals (such as snakes and spiders), fear of flying, and fear of heights. In the case of a severe phobia, a person may even go to extreme measures to avoid what they fear. Unfortunately, avoidance only makes the phobia worse.

Social anxiety disorder

If you have an overwhelming fear that others will see you less well or humiliated when you are in public, you may be suffering from social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. Social anxiety disorder can manifest as extreme shyness. In severe cases, people generally avoid any social situations. Stage fright is the most common type of social anxiety disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an extreme anxiety disorder that can occur in the aftermath of a traumatic or life-threatening event. PTSD can be confused with panic attacks that rarely, if ever, go away. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares about what happened, hypervigilance, constant states of fear, withdrawal from others, and avoidance of situations that in some way resemble about the event.

How to Help Yourself with Worries, Anxiety Attacks, and Anxiety Disorders

Not everyone who worries a lot has an anxiety disorder. You may feel anxious due to an overly busy schedule, lack of exercise or sleep, pressure at work or home, or even too much coffee.

The bottom line is that if your lifestyle is unhealthy and full of stress, you most likely just have anxiety, and if not, you actually have an anxiety disorder. So if you feel like you're worrying too much, take some time to evaluate how well you're taking care of yourself.

• Do you leave time every day for relaxation and entertainment?
• Do you get emotional support when you need it?
• Do you take care of your body?
• Are you overloaded with responsibilities?
• Do you have the ability to ask for help when you need it?

If your stress levels are excessive, think about how you can bring balance to your life. These may be responsibilities that you can reduce or delegate to others. If you feel isolated or lacking support, find someone you can confide in. Even just talking about your worries can help make them less scary.

How to take care of yourself

• Connect with other people . Loneliness and isolation only create grounds for anxiety. You can reduce vulnerability by starting to reach out to people. Challenge yourself to meet with friends more often, join a support or self-help group, or start sharing your worries and problems with a loved one.
• Practice relaxation techniques . By regularly practicing relaxation techniques such as mindful meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing, you can reduce symptoms of anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
• Exercise regularly . Exercise is a natural reliever of stress and anxiety (psychological-benefits-from-exercises). For maximum benefits, perform aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Get enough sleep . Lack of sleep can make anxious thoughts and feelings worse, so try to get seven to nine hours of sleep at night. If you're struggling with sleep problems, practicing habits to help you cope can help.
• Consume caffeine and alcohol in reasonable quantities . If you struggle with anxiety, you might consider cutting back on caffeine or consider cutting it out completely. The same goes for alcohol, which can make anxiety worse.
• Train your brain to stay calm . Worrying is a psychological habit that... Strategies such as setting aside a special period for worry, combating negative thinking, and developing skills to accept uncertainty will reduce fears and worries.

When to Seek Professional Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Although self-help strategies for overcoming anxiety can be very effective, if your concerns, fears, or anxiety attacks have become so severe that they are disrupting your daily life, it is important to seek professional help.

The specific treatment method depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its severity. But in general, most professionals treat anxiety with behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders respond very well to treatment, often in a relatively short period of time. The following types of therapy can help with problems such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and phobias.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts (or cognitions) and behavior. When treating anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy identifies and challenges the negative thought patterns and irrational beliefs that fuel anxiety.
• Exposure therapy for anxiety disorder focuses on confronting your fears in a safe, controlled environment. Through repeated exposure to either a feared object or situation in your imagination or in reality, you gain a greater sense of control. Because you face your fear without external threats, your anxiety gradually decreases.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are types of behavioral therapy, meaning they focus on behavior rather than on underlying psychological conflicts or problems from the past.

If therapy doesn't work...

If you have been in psychotherapy for a while and have not made progress, consider whether there is a more complex emotional problem underlying the anxiety. Anxiety is a common symptom of trauma that requires a different approach to treatment.

Drug treatment for anxiety disorders

If you have anxiety that is severe enough to interfere with your functioning, medication treatment may help relieve symptoms. However, medications can cause addiction and unwanted side effects, so be sure to consider all alternative options. Many people use anti-anxiety medications, while psychotherapy, exercise, or self-help groups work just as well or better without causing side effects. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of using medications to make a final decision.

Rule out medical causes of concern

If you are experiencing many physical symptoms of anxiety, get a physical exam. The doctor will check to see if your anxiety is caused by a medical problem: a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, or asthma. Also, some medications and supplements may cause anxiety, so your doctor should be aware of all medications you take.

Authors: Melinda Smits, Lawrence Robinson, Gene Segal, Ph.D. n.

Translation: Maria KorzhOriginal source: https://mentalhelpguide.ru/