What is Anxiety Disorder?

Occasional Anxiety is a normal part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision from which most of us get over it.

Anxiety Disorders on the other hand involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an Anxiety Disorder, Anxiety is persistent and pervasive without any imminent cause. The Anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The feelings can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder(GAD) is an exaggerated Anxiety and Tension that persists for months, sometimes even for years. It causes people to anticipate catastrophe and worry excessively about many things, from overarching concerns such as Health, Money or Work to more routine concerns such as Car Repairs or Appointments.

Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches, Muscle Tension and Aches
  • Difficulty Swallowing,
  • Trembling, Twitching & Irritability,
  • Sweating, and Hot Flashes
  • Difficulty in Breathing
  • Difficulty in Sleep
  • Restlessness
  • Inability to Focus

Most common types of Anxiety Disorder

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder(GAD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Specific Phobias

Panic Disorder:

It is characterised by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include Chest Pain, Heart Palpitations, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness or Abdominal Distress.

Panic Attacks usually produce a sense of Unreality, a fear of impending doom or a fear of losing control and they can occur at any time, even during sleep.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

An Anxiety Disorder that is characterised by overwhelming Anxiety and Excessive Self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social Phobia can be limited to only one type of situation, such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

Anxiety Disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. After traumatic events, such as death, an earthquake, war, car accidents, floods or fires, it is not uncommon for people to experience feelings of heightened fear, worry, sadness or anger.

Treatment options for Anxiety Disorder

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)
  • Psychotherapy
  • Stress-Management Techniques
  • Relaxation Techniques
  • Antidepressants & Anti-Anxiety Medications