The 10 Most Scariest Things About Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders Symptoms

It's normal to experience anxiety and fear from time the time. However, when these feelings persist and cause problems in your daily life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

A medical professional can assist you in finding an appropriate treatment that matches your symptoms. This could include psychotherapy, antianxiety drugs or natural remedies like exercise, healthy diet, and sleep.

1. Fear and Worry

Everyone feels anxiety and fear from time to time -- it's normal to experience our body's "fight-or-flight" response to danger. However, if the fear or anxiety is extreme, doesn't disappear and is a hindrance to your daily activities, you may have an anxiety disorder. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a chat with you, a physical examination and urine or blood tests, and inquiries about your past health. You could be asked to fill out questionnaires that will aid your doctor in determining if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

The symptoms of anxiety disorders differ according to the kind. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, like have a tendency to worry excessively and unintentionally about everyday situations even though there is no threat to their lives. They also have trouble sleeping or relaxing. Other signs include a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations), trembling and sweating. People with panic disorder have regular moments of intense terror or fear that reach the point of exhaustion in a matter of minutes. They also have difficulty managing their emotions. They usually try to avoid certain places or activities to prevent these attacks from happening.


People with phobias are very scared of certain things, such as snakes or flying. Other signs include headaches, or difficulty breathing. People suffering from PTSD suffer from anxiety following an experience or witnessing a traumatic event like the aftermath of a car crash or war. They may experience other symptoms too, like flashbacks and nightmares of the traumatizing incident.

Other types of anxiety disorders include ocd hoarding disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which causes you feel anxious when you are in social situations. There's also anxiety related to a specific health problem, called illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria). Stress and a chemical imbalance can cause anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety can be an adverse effect of certain medicines.

2. Panic Attacks

Although everyone is anxious or scared at some point, people with anxiety disorders have recurring feelings of extreme anxiety and fear that are in contrast to their personal circumstances. These feelings can trigger extreme physical reactions, such as an intense pulse, a shortness in breath and nausea. You might also feel disengaged or unreal.

Although anyone can suffer from panic attacks, you're more likely to develop this mental health issue in your childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Many factors can cause it, including prolonged or extreme stress that triggers chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system. Traumas that are severe, especially in the adolescent years, can also increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.

Panic attacks may occur for no apparent cause or in response a situation that makes you feel afraid, like being around a large number of people. They are distinct from normal anxiety symptoms because they have more intense symptoms and are often unavoidable. People with anxiety disorders can also experience a mix of expected and unexpected panic attacks.

The most commonly used treatments for anxiety and panic attacks include medication and talk therapy. Talking therapies can help you understand how to manage your anxiety and overcome unfounded beliefs that cause anxiety. They can teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness. Some medications, such as duloxetine and SNRIs, such as SSRIs and venlafaxine, can aid in reducing anxiety and panic.

If you experience a frequent panic attack, you need to consult with your doctor and seek treatment right away. Your doctor will be able to check for any other health conditions that exhibit similar symptoms, and may recommend alternative treatments.

3. Insomnia

When people are anxious they may have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep at night. This is referred to as insomnia. This can be a short-term issue or a longer-term one. Sleep deprivation can make it difficult to make it through the day and could lead to serious health problems. It is more prevalent in older adults and is more common in women than men. It is more common in people with psychiatric conditions.

A variety of things can cause insomnia. In the short term, illnesses such as colds or headaches; long-term conditions such as arthritis, acid reflux or Parkinson's disease; and medication can all affect your sleep. Stressful life circumstances can also cause it. About half of those suffering from chronic insomnia suffer from a mental illness, most commonly anxiety or depression.

A doctor will first determine physical causes. They will ask you questions about your medical history and the symptoms that make it difficult to sleep. They will also want to be aware of whether any medications you take are affecting it. They could also conduct an examination of your sleep to check your breathing and heart rate during the night.

Behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia. It helps you to change the negative thoughts that keep you awake. It also shows you how to sleep more peacefully before bed. There are a variety of techniques to aid in relaxation, such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, and biofeedback. Your doctor can help locate a therapist that can teach you the methods. If you do not respond to behavioral therapies there are many drugs that can help you to sleep better. They include benzodiazepines, that are used for short-term symptom relief and antidepressant or antianxiety medications.

4. Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterised by preoccupations about body shape, weight and food as well as eating habits such as purging, binge eating or vomiting, or the use of laxatives, and compulsive exercise. A lot of people suffering from an eating disorder have anxiety. The same holds the case for those who suffer from mental illness such as bipolar disorder or depression. disorders anxiety can result in an unhealthy cycle where the eating disorder symptoms are made worse by the person's mood disorders.

There is a strong link between anxiety and severity of eating disorders. Higher levels of anxiety symptoms are linked to the disorder. Anorexia nervosa patients are more likely to suffer from high levels of anxiety symptoms. The same holds true for bulimia, binge-eating disorders or the condition known as bulimia. In some instances, anxiety could be the primary reason behind an eating disorder. In other instances, it could be an additional symptom of an eating disorder.

In one study, researchers discovered that depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly linked to more severe eating disorder symptomatology in females who were young. The research team used the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), a 4-item measure of core anxiety and depression symptoms. They also assessed the severity of a person's eating disorder and asked participants to rate their strategies for coping for anxiety.

The authors of the study also analyzed three factors that could aid in understanding the relationship between anxiety and eating disorders self-esteem, perfectionism, and mood dysregulation. They found that these factors played a role in reducing the connection between anxiety/depression symptoms and eating disorder symptomatology, and that they did so in different ways for different subgroups of the sample. They hope that the findings will lead to more specific and targeted treatment for eating disorders.

5. Anxiety-related physical conditions that can be linked to anxiety

The majority of people have anxiety at some point in their lives, but it could turn into a disorder if it is extreme and affects your daily life. Certain people also experience specific physical symptoms, like stomach discomfort or chest pain in response to the type of anxiety they have.

Finding the best treatment for anxiety disorders can help people feel better and lead happier lives. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common kind. CBT teaches how to identify and change negative thoughts which can trigger anxiety and fear. It also helps you confront the fears that scare you and overcome your fears through small steps.

The use of medication can be beneficial. Benzodiazepines like diazepam or Valium can reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants may also be prescribed. These medications boost levels of certain brain chemicals that control mood, and can be used on their own or in conjunction with other treatments for anxiety disorders.

Medical conditions can cause anxiety and sometimes have the same physical symptoms as an anxiety disorder. Head trauma can trigger anxiety and depression, for example. Other conditions that can trigger anxiety include chronic fatigue, pain as well as rheumatologic diseases such as Lupus, and some nutritional deficiencies.

Certain aspects make a person more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are referred to as risk factors. Some are genetic, for example, an ancestral history of anxiety disorders. Other factors, such as childhood sexual abuse, a history of depression or other mental health problems or a buildup of stress over a long period of time, can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. If you suspect you are suffering from anxiety it is crucial to have a physical exam.