Anxiety
Experiencing a small degree of anxiety is normal, however, when it escalates to an excessive level it can be debilitating.
Anxiety, pressure, sleeplessness and physical tension can cause disruptions that affect our lives and productivity.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often feel anxious and distressed in even the most common of situations. Their stress can be out of proportion to what is actually occurring, making it difficult for them to cope. They may experience various symptoms such as:
Irritability
Forgetfulness
Stress-induced muscle pain (chronic backache, sore shoulders)
Tension
Insomnia
Fatigue
Inability to focus
Phobias
Phobias are extreme anxieties that can paralyze an individual in certain circumstances. For example, acrophobia – the fear of heights - or agoraphobia – the apprehension when one is not able to easily flee from a public space - may make day-to-day tasks like working, interacting with people, and engaging in leisure activities almost impossible for those experiencing these mental disturbances. These phobias are often irrational and disproportionate to any real danger present which could cause detrimentally damaging effects on someone's life. Common symptoms associated with phobias include:
Physical manifestations, such as trembling, increased heart rate, nausea and feelings of terror
Whereas similar physical symptoms may appear in both panic disorder and certain phobias, there is an essential difference between the two: Panic attacks can occur randomly without warning whereas episodes of a phobia are usually triggered by particular events or scenarios.
Irrational fear
Avoidance of the trigger which causes the fear
Panic Disorder
Unexpected and intense episodes of fear that often appear without warning are hallmark characteristics of panic disorder. These moments can be extremely distressing, causing an individual to avoid situations in which they feel their anxiety levels may increase again. Panic attacks generally don't last for an extended period, however, the feeling left behind is long-lasting. Common symptoms include:
Shaking
Sweating
Feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Hyperventilation
Nausea & dizziness
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is an intense fear of being judged, ridiculed, or excluded in social settings. It's far more incapacitating than just being shy and generally causes the afflicted to avoid career opportunities, events, and activities that could be advantageous for them. If they find themselves presented with these challenges they can experience symptoms such as:
Dizziness
Sweating
Tension
Tremors
Nausea
Difficulty breathing
Absent mind
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms
Panic attacks accompanied by intense anxiety and physical symptoms are a sign that your anxiety is at an extremely concerning level, so it must be managed. If left untreated, panic attacks can result in people avoiding certain activities or places. Usually, signs of nervousness indicate a hidden dread of potential events like medical treatments or social scenarios. If you feel overwhelmed with worry or panic - address these issues before they progress further!
Treatment
Anxiety is an incredibly common yet treatable mental health issue, and many treatment options are available such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, hypnotherapy, mindfulness practices, and more. At Integrative Mind, we have clinicians specialized in anxiety treatments who can help you manage your symptoms.