5 ways to cope with Anxiety Disorders

Guest BLOG

Dr. Sudeshna Biswas- Psychiatrist, Psychologist & Marriage Counselor

#anxiety #anxietydisorders #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing

What is Anxiety? What are Anxiety Disorders?

5 ways to cpoe with Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a natural human emotion that helps an individual to deal with feelings of unease, such as the feeling before public speaking, meeting new people, or taking a test.

Anxiety disorders are common mental health problems affecting 1 out of 5 individuals in India. It is characterized by extreme and frequent episodes of excessive anxiety and worries about everyday situations. It is a state of mood in which one becomes excessively worried about events in the future. The suffering individuals may feel anxious even though there is no actual danger or threat present.

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”—C. Spurgeon

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Symptoms of anxiety disorders may include :

• uneasiness/irritability

• trembling/shaking hands

• difficulty concentrating

• headaches

• dry mouth

• sweating /exhaustion

• difficulties sleeping (insomnia)

• heart palpitations (fast heartbeat)

• nausea

• diarrhea.

Signs of anxiety:

• anticipating that things might go wrong ( anticipatory worry): "I'll fall off my bike again.

• getting upset over these events rather than learning from them (called rumination).

Why do people develop anxiety disorders?

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not well understood. However, it is theorized that neurotransmitters in the brain can be altered by emotional stress which may lead to an imbalance. As a result, neurons don't work as they should when exposed to increased levels of stress hormones.

In some cases, there may be a history of :

• A neglected/ deprived childhood experience

• parental conflict/ separation

• witnessing violence or abuse of siblings and/or mother

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

There are several types of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD),

2. panic disorder(PD),

3. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

4. social phobia (SP),

5. obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and

6. social anxiety disorder(SAD).

How is anxiety disorder diagnosed?

Anxiety disorder is diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition. The manual states that it can be diagnosed when one or more of the following symptoms are present for at least six months.

Symptoms include:

1. persistent limiting beliefs about what is dangerous,

2. bothersome thoughts about the dangers,

3. attempts to avoid these things,

4. an inability to control worrying,

5. or any physical reactions when exposed to these things.
   

What treatments are available for anxiety disorders?

The treatments for anxiety disorders are primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and psychotherapy.

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a combination of talk therapy with relaxation skills training to help people recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

2. Medications used to treat anxiety disorders include antidepressants and beta-blockers which work by affecting brain chemicals that regulate moods.

3. Psychotherapy may be appropriate for people who have difficulty expressing themselves or following through with other treatment plans.

Other options include yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and psychotherapy.

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”—Epictetus

Anxiety Disorders: How to cope?

There are many ways to cope with an anxiety disorder.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Systematic desensitization and

Relaxation Therapy

Deep Breathing Exercises

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”—William S. Burroughs

Conclusion

Anxiety disorders such as OCD and PTSD can be debilitating and difficult to cope with. If you are struggling, seek help from a mental health professional.