Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Exploring the Causes and Types

Worrying about regular things and being anxious about money, family and health problems is a normal part of life. However, anxiety disorder is a mental condition that goes beyond occasional worry or fear and causes persistent and excessive worry, panic and fear that worsens over time.

These feelings are often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating and difficulty breathing or sleeping and can impair daily functioning. Anxiety disorder typically starts in childhood or during teenage years and continues into adulthood.

Causes of Anxiety Disorder

The cause of anxiety disorder is largely unknown, but some triggers may include:

• Environmental stress: Traumatic occurrences such as a loved one’s death, childhood abuse or experiencing violence.
• Brain chemistry: Can be linked to damaged neural pathways in the brain controlling emotions and fear.
• Genetic: May be hereditary.
• Medical conditions: Heart, thyroid or lung disorders can worsen or mimic anxiety symptoms.
• Drug abuse or withdrawal: Alcohol and drug abuse are frequently linked to anxiety disorders.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Some forms of anxiety disorders include:

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Causes excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about ordinary events or activities without any specific reason. Often accompanied by depression or other anxiety disorders, GAD causes non-specific physical and psychological symptoms and can affect daily functioning.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterised by sudden and intense fear leading to severe physical symptoms including heart palpitations, sweating, chest pain and shortness of breath, although there may not be any apparent cause or real danger. Panic attacks can be overwhelming and can lead to avoiding certain situations out of fear that they will lead to another attack.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Also known as social phobia, social anxiety disorder is intense self-consciousness, embarrassment, worry and anxiety in routine social interactions, caused by the fear of being negatively judged and evaluated by others. This anxiety and fear can lead to avoidance, which can impact life.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Classified as anxiety disorder, OCD is characterised by obsessions (frequent intrusive, unnecessary thoughts), causing compulsions (repetitive behaviours) that can disrupt daily routine and social interactions and cause distress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition that is often triggered by some traumatic or frightening event, PTSD leads to symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks, severe anxiety and overwhelming thoughts about the traumatic experience.

Seeking Professional Help

When to Seek Professional Help

It is important to seek professional help for anxiety because if ignored, the condition can worsen over time. Early intervention can facilitate better treatment and outcomes. A person must see a doctor if they:

• Face extreme worry impacting daily life, work and relationships.
• Have difficulty controlling their worry, anxiety or fear.
• Experience depression, mental health issues or substance abuse problems with anxiety.
• Suspect a connection between anxiety and some health problem.
• Have suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

Types of Professionals Who Can Help

A primary doctor can check to find if a person’s anxiety is being caused by some underlying medical issue. However, if the anxiety symptoms are very severe, then it is best to see a mental health specialist such as:

• A psychiatrist
• A psychologist
• Any other qualified mental health professional

These professionals can help to diagnose anxiety and provide counselling through psychotherapy, medications and other methods.

What to Expect During Therapy

Typically, anxiety disorder is treated with medication and/or psychotherapy or both. Therapy aims to identify triggers, enhance awareness and modify reactions. Typically, personalised according to the individual’s diagnosis and symptoms, therapy teaches techniques to overcome negative thoughts and change behaviours.

Medication Options for Anxiety Disorder

Although medications cannot cure anxiety disorders, they can help to alleviate symptoms and enable better functioning. Some anti-anxiety medications include:

• Benzodiazepines: Used mostly short-term, they may be combined with other antidepressants.
• SSRIs: Stop the reabsorption of serotonin, increasing its availability and thus improving mood.
• SNRIs: Increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting reabsorption.
• Tricyclic antidepressants: Affect the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
• Beta-blockers: Used for high blood pressure, they can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Anxiety Disorder

Exercise

Finding a routine that enables an individual to be physically active can help improve their mood, reduce stress, and enhance their overall health and well-being.

Diet

Adopting a healthy diet, including whole grains, fruits, veggies and other healthy foods can help to reduce anxiety.

Sleep

Good sleep can enhance restfulness and reduce stress and anxiety.

Mindfulness Meditation

Including mindfulness meditation in the anxiety disorder treatment can help to manage stress effectively and boost the treatment outcomes.

Relaxation Techniques

Try relaxation techniques like yoga, visualisation and meditation to relax and alleviate symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety Disorder Coping Strategies

Anxiety disorder coping strategies include psychotherapy or talk therapy that is personalised according to the specific anxieties and requirements and involves:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on modifying negative thinking and behavioural patterns by replacing them with realistic thoughts and coping strategies to reduce fear and anxiety.

Exposure Therapy

A form of CBT, exposure therapy helps to confront fears by focusing on engagement with avoided and anxiety-inducing activities. It is often combined with imagery or relaxation exercises.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on goal setting and mindfulness strategies to reduce anxiety. The technique involves accepting feelings and thoughts without control and committing to value-associated actions.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

A popular meditation-based technique used for stress management and treatment for conditions like anxiety and depression, MBSR promotes awareness of the present and non-judgemental experience of feelings and thoughts.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

A form of CBT, DBT helps to develop change and acceptance. The technique focuses on mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness to manage stress and anxiety effectively.

Alternative Treatments for Anxiety Disorder

Some alternative treatments for anxiety disorder include:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help to alleviate anxiety symptoms, especially if it is combined with behavioural therapies. The acupuncture technique involves placing needles in specific parts of the body to stimulate the nervous system, thus reducing anxiety.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal teas and supplements made from valerian, kava, lemon balm, passion flower, and chamomile can be calming and may help to reduce anxiety. However, there is more research needed to understand the benefit and risks.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy not only helps to alleviate muscle tension but also boosts the blood flow to areas in the body, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Research shows that massage therapy can be used as an alternative treatment for GAD.

Yoga and Tai Chi

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, tai chi and breathing techniques can aid relaxation and help reduce anxiety.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Plant essential oils like lavender, camomile, rose water, etc. can have calming and soothing effects and can be particularly helpful in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Dealing with Anxiety in The Workplace

Anxiety at work can involve feeling nervous or stressed about work which can be about interactions with co-workers, public speaking or job performance. Here are some ways to deal with workplace anxiety:

Communicating with The Employer

The individual's fears of perception, impact on their professional record, and implications for promotions may cause hesitation in sharing their anxiety with their manager or employer. However, communicating their struggles is essential to make the employer aware of their struggles and for potential support.

Requesting Reasonable Accommodations

Discussing anxiety and requesting accommodations with one's employer can enhance job performance and also create a more comfortable work environment.

Strategies for Coping with Workplace Anxiety

• Maintain good habits including healthy eating, exercising regularly and proper sleep.
• Work in an organised manner by prioritising tasks and establishing short, achievable deadlines.
• Share feelings with a trusted colleague for support.
• Use coping strategies such as listening to music, watching a cute video or chatting with a friend.
• Take small breaks from work, go outside for a bit, walk around and try deep breathing techniques.

Conclusion

Managing anxiety disorders effectively need a multi-prong approach that combines self-care, professional help and coping techniques. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, seeking medications and/or therapy and with the help of a strong support system, individuals struggling with anxiety disorders can find great relief from anxiety symptoms and lead a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life.

FAQs

What are The Signs of an Anxiety Disorder?

Some of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder include feeling tense, nervous and restless, feeling an impending panic, danger or doom, increased heart rate, sweating, hyperventilation (breathing rapidly), feeling tired or weak, trembling, trouble focusing, trouble sleeping, unable to control worry, GI problems and avoiding events that trigger anxiety.

What Is The Best Way To Manage Anxiety?

Some best ways to manage anxiety include talking to a loved one, using breathing techniques, exercising regularly, following a healthy diet, getting good sleep, and getting peer support or speaking to a mental health professional.

Can Anxiety Disorder Be Cured?

Anxiety disorder cannot be cured but its symptoms can be treated and managed by therapy and/or medications and by following coping techniques.

What Are The Side Effects Of Anxiety Medications?

Some common side effects of anxiety medications include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of balance, fatigue, nausea, sleep problems, weight gain, loss of appetite, increased blood pressure, sweating, dry mouth, sexual problems, memory and concentration problems, upset stomach and more.

How Long Does It Take For Anxiety Treatment To Work?

Some anti-anxiety medications may start working very quickly, whereas others may take up to 2-3 weeks to start acting, depending on the type of medications and severity of symptoms. The benefits of therapy can usually be seen in about 12-16 weeks.

Are There Any Natural Remedies For Anxiety?

Some natural remedies that can help to reduce anxiety-related symptoms include lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, getting more sleep, reducing caffeine intake, avoiding alcohol, meditation, aromatherapy, herbal teas and supplements and exercising.

What Are Some Common Triggers For Anxiety?

Some of the triggers for anxiety include trauma, stress due to life situations or illness, personality types, underlying medical conditions, genetics, alcohol and drugs or other mental health disorders.