Anxiety disorders - when worry becomes too much
Anxiety is a natural and healthy human emotion towards fear. When an individual faces potential harmful triggers, feeling of anxiety are not only normal but necessary for survival. The release of adrenaline in a fight- or flight situation cause many physical responses such as rapid heartbeat and breathing, sweating, tremor, heightened senses and restlessness. This help us to prepare physically to face up against any potential danger.
Nowadays, anxieties revolve around our day to day life from personal relationship, family, health, work, education, finance and other crucial life change. You may be feeling anxious before major life event and making big decision such as sitting for an exam, proposing to your loved ones for marriage, buying properties or opening a business which is not necessarily a fight-or flight situation.
Anxiety disorders can be characterised by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear causing significant impairment of a person's social, occupational, and personal function and day to day living. The differentiating factor is the duration or severity of an anxious feeling is out of proportion to the original trigger. Anxiety disorders can cause physical, psychological and emotional symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, palpitation, chest pain, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, tremors, numbness and tingling over fingers and around the mouth area. These responses and effects to the individual move beyond normal anxiety into an anxiety disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorders. Patient with anxiety disorders may have other type of mental health disorders such as depression and addiction that can be debilitating to their overall well-being and daily functioning. Because of the physical symptoms, patient may often seek treatment repeatedly at emergency care and undergo unnecessary investigations and be told that there was nothing physically wrong with them. It is important to understand that the physical manifestations of anxiety disorders are rooted from psychological cause and this need to be be address first and foremost
Practicing healthy lifestyle such as quit smoking, reducing stress, deep breathing and relaxation techniques and exercise can help reduce and prevent anxiety disorders. If you suffer from anxiety disorder or other mental health disorders, seek help from medical professional before its too late.
