Anxiety and panic disorder is a common term used to describe a variety of conditions where a person is under constant worry and fear. This unusual and heightened fear and worry hinders the natural lifestyle of the person and he/she is crippled to the point where psychological counseling may be required. A little bit of anxiety is quite a natural thing and most of us can successfully cope with it in our own way. However, in some people, the coping mechanism is not adequate and, as a result, their anxieties take control of their lives, making it increasingly difficult for them to lead a normal life.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, some of which are mentioned below.
• Panic Disorder: People with this condition experiences a sudden fear of impending doom, often without any prior warning.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): People with this condition often experiences difficulty in controlling their thoughts and behaviors.
• Specific Phobias: People with this condition develop an intense and exaggerated fear for certain objects or situations.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: People with this condition have a heightened self-consciousness about social situations. They often worry about getting humiliated, judged wrongly, or ridiculed in public.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): People with this condition develop intense fear for things associated with a past trauma.
• General Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with this condition experience a constant and exaggerated tension without any real cause.
In most cases, one or more of the following symptoms will be seen in patients experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.
• A feeling of uneasiness accompanied with uncontrollable thoughts
• An increased rate of heart beat and a rise in blood pressure
• A feeling of dizziness, headache, and fatigue
• A feeling of tension tingling sensation in the muscles
• A feeling of nausea
• Insomnia and other sleep disorder
• A feeling of depression, paranoia, and restlessness
• Inability to concentrate and control thoughts or actions
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not easy to identify. It can develop gradually over years and several factors like environmental factors, illness, trauma, etc. can have an effect.
Treatment of anxiety disorders can be started with certain self help techniques:
• Try to relax your body adequately with some breathing techniques. Every day, at regular intervals, you should inhale slowly and deeply, hold your breath for 2-3 seconds, and then exhale slowly. This breathing exercise is a good way to calm an anxiety-ridden mind.
• Eat a healthy diet and do some mild exercise every day. Avoid caffeinated drinks, cigarette smoking, alcoholic beverages, and chocolate. Try to follow a healthy lifestyle and cut down on stress.
In chronic cases, proper medical help in the form of medications and psychotherapy sessions should be sought in consultation with a doctor.