ANXIETY DISORDER

Anxiety Disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. When wearing a dress or feeling not fit or even when we feel that someone is watching us, we might feel anxious. Occasional anxiety is normal and happens to everybody, sometimes it even makes us aware if we are doing something wrong or how we might improve but when this anxiety starts interfering with our daily work it can be a problem. Going to a mall/ market or visiting your friends or attending parties may seem normal to many of us but for some it can be a draining activity due to the Social Anxiety Disorder.

Masses may feel that it can be easily overcome but sometimes that might not be the case as anxiety disorders are very much different from anxiety. These are actually mental illnesses which instill constant fear and anxiety in an individual. This could result in a person avoiding school, parties, social gatherings and even places with unknown or new faces & he/ she could be easily affected by this which may result in harmful or unhealthy consequences for the person.

Types-

Anxiety Disorders and their nature may vary that is why there are several branches of Anxiety Disorder such as-

Generalized Anxiety: The victim worries extensively about little things with a little or no reason

Panic Disorder: The victim may feel intensely pressurized, anxious and fear which may result to a panic attack.

Social Anxiety Disorder: Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia is a sudden situation when a person feels overwhelmed worry, anxiety and gets extremely self- conscious about every day social activities. The person worries about every little thing from worrying about other’s judgement of them and to being humiliated in front of masses and to be unable to answer a question in class.

Selective Mutism: This is a type of Social Anxiety Disorder in which people may select a place or people to not speak with. The person may speak with his family or specific set of people but feels worried or anxious or is not comfortable to speak in public. This may include not speaking in class or functions or even at family gatherings.

Specific Phobias: The victim may experience overwhelming fear after seeing some people, objects etc. These phobias hinder the mental growth and prevent us from performing a daily activity.

Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia means having an intense fear of a place from where it’s not easy to escape. The victim may feel fearful or worried when sitting in a moving train, bus or airplane

Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is one of the most common anxieties and happens to most of us. An individual may feel worried or anxious when there loved one leaves them. This may include experiencing death of your loved one or them moving away from you.

Medication- induced Anxiety: Use of medicines or drugs may trigger this Anxiety Disorder. If an individual is in habit of taking drugs or excessive medicines and suddenly stops taking them, they may feel overwhelmed worry, anxiety and fear and can even sometimes cause hallucinations or may give rise to even more mental diseases as well as physical diseases.

Caffeine- induced Anxiety: Alike Medication- induced Anxiety this Disorder can also be caused by consuming excessive caffeine and then suddenly stopping its use. Caffeine- induced Anxiety can also result in overwhelmed worry, anxiety, fear and sometimes even hallucinations.

Symptoms-

There are always some hints to the illness or disease we might be dealing with, same goes for Anxiety Disorders and the list of symptoms is rather long which can be-

• Panic, fear and uneasiness
• Feelings of Panic, impending doom or danger
• Sleeping Problems and nightmares
• Unable to stay calm and still
• Cold, sweaty, numb and tingling or shaking hands and feet
• Shortness of breath or problem in breathing
• Hyperventilation- Excessive breathing while taking in short gulps of air
• Heat Palpitations
• Dry Mouth
• Nausea
• Tense muscles
• Light headed or feeling dizzy
• Rumination or Overthinking- Thinking or worrying about a problem repetitively and unable to stop yourself and the thoughts.
• Avoiding places, people and objects which may instill a feeling of fear.

Treatment

Anxiety disorders are not easily curable until the person themselves is not ready to break out of their shell. It is a gradual healing process but overtime it can be dealt with & for that the victim need to take the first step from their side. How? Well, here it is!

Write- Write down your emotions, feelings and thoughts in a journal or diary. This may help you relax and unload a little pressure.

Sleep right- A proper sleep may make you feel better and refreshed and you may be able to handle situations better

Relax- Whenever you feel getting too much stressed take a break & do an activity you like which can range from taking a relaxing bath to reading a book or singing.

Optimism is the key- Although it can prove to be difficult to push negative thoughts out of your mind, try doing so. Thinking positive can help relieve your stress and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a good way to get going.

Interact- Visit or arrange little gatherings with people who are known to you. Then start expanding your circle slowly and try to adjust within the group and do tasks together. This will boost your confidence and can be a large step for overcoming your phobia.

Support- At last, identify when you need support and don’t hesitate to ask for it.

With the growing population, Anxiety Disorders have become more than common across the globe. So always always remember that there is no need to be ashamed of it and it is okay to ask for help and you are not the only one facing it. There are others too and if they can defeat it you can too. Just don’t forget- You can do it!