Anxiety Disorder, what do you need to know and how to treat them?

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common human emotion that is characterized by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread about upcoming events. Anxiety can manifest as feelings of unease, worry, and overreaction to a situation, as well as physical symptoms such as muscular tension, abdominal tightness, nausea, restlessness, and fatigue.

Anxiety and fear are closely related, and both are appropriate cognitive and emotional responses to a perceived threat. Although anxiety is long-acting, future-focused, broadly focused on a diffuse threat, and promoting excessive caution when confronted with a potential threat and interfering with constructive coping, fear is short-lived, present-focused, geared towards a specific threat, and facilitating escape from a threat.

What is the difference between occasional anxiety and anxiety disorder?

Every person has experienced anxiety as a result of their worries at some point in their lives. Anxiety, on the other hand, can be either a short-term “state” or a long-term “trait,” representing worry about future events. As a result, some people may be unable to control their anxiety, causing it to persist and worsen over time. Uncontrollable anxiety can disrupt daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships, transforming mild anxiety into an anxiety disorder that requires treatment.

Type of anxiety disorders

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 guidelines, anxiety disorders are classified into five major categories, which include

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a common type of disorder that is characterized by long-term anxiety lasting at least six months and is frequently accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, concentration difficulties, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. Adults who are under a lot of stress are more likely to develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It can, however, be found in children from aged 8.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia is an intense and persistent fear of negative public scrutiny, public embarrassment, humiliation, or social interaction, manifested by blushing, sweating, rapid heart rate and difficulty speaking. Social Anxiety Disorder can cause people to avoid social interactions, which can lead to social isolation.

Social Anxiety Disorder is also linked to a symptom known as Selective Mutism, which is the inability to speak when exposed to specific situations, places, or people, resulting in a freeze response.

• Separation Anxiety Disorder (SepAD): Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by anxiety about being separated from a person or place. They frequently worry that something bad will happen to their attachment figures while they are separated. This fear causes them to avoid separation from their attachment figures as well as being alone. Separation Anxiety Disorder is most common in children, but it can also occur in adults.
• Panic Disorder: Panic Disorder is characterized by repeated bouts of intense terror and apprehension, often accompanied by trembling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and/or difficulty breathing. Stress, irrational thoughts, fear of the unknown, and even exercise can cause panic. These attacks can last for several hours and peak up for ten minutes. People can avoid their triggers, but attacks can still occur without warning.
• Phobia-related disorder: A phobia is a strong fear or aversion to a particular object or situation. The distinction between phobia and fear is that phobia is exaggerated in relation to the actual danger posed by the situation or object. People who are exposed to common phobias such as flying, blood, water, highway driving, and tunnels may experience trembling, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat. Phobia is closely related to panic disorder and can result in panic attacks.

Agoraphobia, a fear of being in a place or situation where escape is difficult or embarrassing, or where help may be unavailable, is one of the special types of phobia. Agoraphobia is also frequently used to refer to avoidance behaviours that people develop, which can progress into an anxiety disorder.

There are also disorders that are related to anxiety, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Anxiety also occurred in people who had other mental health disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, and certain types of Personality Disorders.

Dealing with Anxiety disorders

Researchers find that genetic and environmental factors are related to the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. People with a history of mental disorders in the family, people who suffered from shyness, distress, or nervousness in childhood, and who suffered from stressful and negative events have a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders. Physical health conditions and substance use (including caffeine and some medications) can also aggravate common anxiety into a disorder.

Common anxiety can be reduced by stress management techniques such as exercise and meditation. In the case of anxiety disorder, medication and psychotherapy are used to treat it. Antidepressants, specialized anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers are used to treat the disorder’s symptoms. While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are used in psychotherapy to reduce anxiety through a revision of the patient’s thinking and strategies.

Let us help to deal with your anxiety

If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, the Psychiatry Center of Phyathai 1 International can evaluate the severity of the anxiety and provide a treatment plan, using the comprehensive approach of both medications and psychotherapy treatment for stabilization of the emotions and redevelopment of your mental health. the Psychiatry Center of Phyathai 1 International also provides treatment for other types of mental issues including depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorder, and addiction treatment.

If you consider receiving a mental evaluation for yourself or your family, we recommend consulting with our specialist at Psychiatry Center of Phyathai 1 International, open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. To ensure the fastest procedure time, We recommend taking a reservation by phone at number (+66)2-201-4600 ext.2148 or by E-mail at [email protected].