- Anxiety is a normal response of the body to stressful situations, however, when it is very frequent it can indicate an anxiety disorder.
- There are several types of anxiety disorder, but they usually cause constant worry, difficulty in relaxing and thoughts that are difficult to control.
- There is no specific cause, but the disorder is more common in people who are exposed to stressful situations or who have a serious health condition.
- Treatment is usually done with psychotherapy and medication, but it can also include the use of natural therapies such as meditation or medicinal plants.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a temporary, natural and completely normal response of the body to situations that cause a lot of stress, such as needing to make a presentation in public, having a job interview or having to take an exam at school.
However, when the feeling of anxiety is very intense, appears for no apparent reason and disrupts daily activities, anxiety ceases to be considered natural and is called generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or phobia, depending on the case.
What is generalized anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorder happens when anxiety ceases to be temporary and becomes very frequent, causing the person to show concern and fear even in moments that would not be considered stressful, such as getting into an elevator, talking to a stranger or, simply, leave the house.
This type of disorder tends to get worse over time, especially when no treatment is given and, therefore, people with anxiety disorder are at increased risk of developing depression, as well as other psychological illnesses.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of anxiety disorder can vary widely from one person to another, especially in their intensity. Still, some common symptoms are:
- Constant concern;
- Difficulty to relax;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Sleep disorders;
- Headache;
- Easy tiredness;
- Continuous feeling that something bad is going to happen.
Along with these manifestations, anxiety can also be accompanied by physical signs such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing and excessive sweating, for example.
Online Anxiety Test
If you think you have an anxiety disorder, select what you have been feeling for the past two weeks:
- 1. Did you feel nervous, anxious or on the edge?
No Yes
- 2. Did you feel that you were easily tired?
No Yes
- 3. Did you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?
No Yes
- 4. Did you find it difficult to stop feeling worried?
No Yes
- 5. Did you find it difficult to relax?
No Yes
- 6. Did you feel so worried that it was difficult to stay still?
No Yes
- 7. Did you feel easily irritable or upset?
No Yes
- 8. Did you feel afraid as if something very bad was going to happen?
No Yes
What is the anxiety crisis?
Anxiety crisis is the period of time when symptoms of anxiety disorder appear. Often the crisis arises slowly, as some stressful situation approaches, but it can also arise from one moment to the next.
The intensity of the anxiety crisis can vary greatly from one person to another, as well as vary at different times in life, with crises that are more intense than others. Although they may seem similar, the anxiety crisis and the panic attack are not the same. See the main differences between anxiety and panic attack.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Although anxiety disorder is popularly known only as "anxiety", the truth is that there are different types of anxiety disorders, which vary according to the reason for the concern, as well as the way a person's thinking is organized.
The main types of anxiety disorder include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder: it is the type of anxiety that appears without a specific reason, occurring due to various day-to-day situations and that lasts for more than 6 months;
- Panic disorder: when there are spontaneous and recurrent outbreaks of fear or intense discomfort that last for a few minutes;
- Separation anxiety disorder: it is more common in children under the age of 12 and is characterized by fear and excessive anxiety about being separated from home or someone of affection;
- Selective mutism: it is a rare type of anxiety disorder that can happen in childhood and that makes it difficult for the child to talk to other people who are not immediate relatives, such as parents or siblings;
- Social phobia: there is fear or anxiety in relation to social situations, such as going out with friends or giving a presentation, usually for fear of judgment;
- Agoraphobia: happens when there is a fear of being in open spaces, of being in public spaces or leaving the house alone, for example;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: can arise after experiencing very traumatic situations, such as participating in a war or being kidnapped.
Anxiety disorder can also be classified as "substance-induced anxiety disorder", when it is caused by the consumption of some substance, such as medication or drugs, or "anxiety disorder due to another medical condition", when it arises as a result of another health history problem.
Possible causes of anxiety
The specific cause that causes anxiety disorder is not known, but it seems more frequent in people with some risk factors such as:
- Family anxiety disorder history;
- Being exposed to situations that cause a lot of stress or negative feelings;
- Have any health condition that can cause a lot of anxiety, such as thyroid changes, heart problems or chronic pain;
- Having experienced a traumatic situation at some point in life, such as physical or verbal violence.
People who are trying to stop using substances, such as alcohol or drugs, are also at increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder resulting from withdrawal from addiction.
Treatment options for anxiety
Treatment for anxiety should always be guided by a psychologist and / or a psychiatrist. In most cases, treatment is done with psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy consists of conducting sessions in the office, of the psychologist or psychiatrist, which aims to help identify the reason for anxiety and develop tools and / or skills that help to deal with excessive stress.
In milder cases, psychotherapy may be sufficient to relieve anxiety disorder, without the need for medication.
Medicines
At the beginning of treatment, the psychiatrist may prescribe the use of antidepressants and, if necessary, supplement with the use of anxiety medications, known as anxiolytics, which should not be used for long periods due to their addictive potential.
The most commonly used anxiolytics are benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, bromazepam or diazepam, which act on the brain by regulating the production of some chemicals that help to relax and regulate the onset of symptoms. However, these medications can cause several side effects and, therefore, should only be used with the guidance of a doctor.
In addition to antidepressants and anxiolytics, the doctor may also indicate other medications according to each person's symptoms and intensity.
Natural treatment for anxiety
Natural treatment is a great way to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor, as it contemplates the use of techniques that help promote relaxation and control stress and anxiety, however, they should not replace medical treatment. Ideally, natural treatments should be used under the supervision of the responsible physician.
The main natural treatments indicated for anxiety are:
1. Healthy lifestyle
Having a healthy lifestyle not only helps to maintain physical health, it is also an excellent way to maintain mental health and reduce anxiety. Healthy lifestyle behaviors include:
- Exercise regularly, at least 3 to 5 times a week;
- Have a healthy and balanced diet;
- Avoid consumption of alcohol or caffeine;
- Stop smoking;
- Sleep at least 8 hours a night.
These behaviors that should be maintained by people with anxiety as they help to control symptoms more effectively and for a longer time.
2. Meditation
Meditation is a natural technique that aims to help the person to live in the present and to reduce "noises" of worry that arise frequently in thought. Several studies have shown that when applied to people with anxiety, meditation is able to reduce levels of stress and anxiety over time, in addition to improving sleep and promoting self-awareness.
3. Natural remedies
The use of natural remedies consists of taking advantage of the medicinal properties of some plants to help reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Some of these plants, such as Kava-kava or Ashwagandha, for example, even have effects similar to those of some pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety, without causing side effects or promoting addiction.
These natural remedies can be consumed in the form of teas or supplements, but they should always be guided by a doctor, herbalist or other health professional used to using medicinal plants.
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Bibliography
- American Psychistric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders - DSM-V. 5th ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2014. p. 233-278.
- VIRTUAL HEALTH LIBRARY. Anxiety. 2011. Available at:. Accessed on 09 Nov 2020
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH. Anxiety Disorders. Available in: . Accessed on 09 Nov 2020
- CDC. Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Available in: . Accessed on 09 Nov 2020
