1. What is Anxiety?
Anxiety neurosis, better known as anxiety, can cause extreme agitation to the point where you feel like you are having a heart attack. It can also make you so anxious that you can't even attend your college roommate's wedding for fear of meeting new people. There are five main types of anxiety: General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Disorder and Social Phobia.
Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder in the United States, affecting over 40 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Most people worry a bit, even if they appear confident and relaxed. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, not all welcomed and anticipated. In those cases, worrying or feeling a bit anxious are normal. However, when you feel you cannot control your anxiety, or you feel like your anxious feelings are controlling you, perhaps it's time to seek professional help. Anxiety is an irrational fear of the unknown.
2. Signs and Symptoms
Psychological as well as physical symptoms are the norm if you are suffering from anxiety. Many people do not recognize the physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, clammy hands, headache, frequent urination, excessive sweating, shortness of breath and a pounding heartbeat. Psychological symptoms include excessive, irrational, uncontrollable worry, sleeplessness,easily startled, irritable, fear of going crazy or losing control and unexplained feelings of danger.
Many people live with mild anxiety. However, if your anxious feelings are interfering with your daily life--fearful of driving alone, missing days of work or isolating yourself from social settings--seek advice from a professional.
3. Causes of Anxiety
Is it nature of nurture that causes anxiety? Researchers believe that it is a combination of both. Genes play a role, as does your environment. If you grew up in an overly reactive, stressful family that displayed anxiety symptoms, you have greater risk of developing anxiety. If some of your family members have anxiety you also have increased possibility of developing the disorder.
Depression and anxiety are common co-occurring disorders. Over two-thirds of people with anxiety have depression, according to Harvard Medical School. Research scientists believe that depression and anxiety share similar neurotransmitters or brain chemicals that cause depression and anxiety.
A stressful event can trigger anxiety, as in the case of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, or PTSD. Even though some combat veterans experience the exact same military warfare, not all will develop PTSD. Researchers think that the veterans who developed PTSD had a predisposed, biological disposition to anxiety.
Anxiety is treatable with a combination of psychotherapy, medication, exercise, yoga and meditation. Seek professional advice to determine which form of treatment is best for you.
