Interpreting the signs of anxiety disorder

Everyone has experienced anxiety at some point in their life, whether it’s a job interview, meeting partner’s family for the first time, or if about to have a baby. Some anxiety is helpful as it helps us react to stresses or potential threats by quickening our reflexes and focusing our attention and usually settles once the stressful situation has passed.

Anxiety disorder is when those feelings don’t go away and you can’t seem to control them. Sometimes a sign of worry or sadness lasts longer and then it gradually becomes a part of someone’s life.

Depression and anxiety are different conditions; however, they can share many of the same signs and symptoms. This can lead to people thinking that they have depression, when in fact they actually have anxiety disorder. It isn’t uncommon for depression and anxiety to present in people at the same time.

Beyond Blue says that over half of the people treated with depression also experience symptoms of anxiety disorder. In some cases, one condition can lead to the onset of the other.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Feeling anxious is a normal reaction to a situation where a person feels under pressure before a job interview or exam. Those with clinical anxiety disorder have prolonged bouts of anxiety attacks and sometimes they can’t pinpoint a reason as to why they are feeling anxious. It can be devastating and hinder a person’s daily life.

Men when compared to women are less likely to experience anxiety. However, they are also less likely to talk about it or discuss it with anyone. This increases the risk of their anxiety or depression going untreated and unrecognised.

There are different types of anxiety. The most common are mentioned below:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
• Specific Phobias:
• Panic Disorder:
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
• Social Anxiety:  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Listed below are some simple signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder to look out for if you think you, or someone you know may have a clinical form of anxiety:

• Panic attacks which can occur during a stressful situation or at any other time. The symptoms of a panic attack include tightness of breath, hyperventilating or seeming to be ‘on edge’. During a panic attack, you may also feel palpitations (unusually strong or irregular heartbeats) and have chest pain. 
• Obsessive thinking about the worst possible scenarios in a situation is another sign. In these situations, people become consumed by negative thinking.
• Avoiding social situations is another sign of anxiety disorder. This is when you feel overpowering concern and self-consciousness about everyday social circumstances. You always think about others judging you or on being embarrassed or mocked.

Anxiety and physical health problems

Some studies suggest that going through anxiety could increase the risk of developing certain long-term physical health problems, including diabetes, stomach ulcers and heart problems. But there's not enough evidence to say for sure exactly what the risks are, or what groups of people are most likely to be affected. Having a physical infection or disability can also make you feel worried and anxious, so it might occasionally feel like your anxiety problems and physical health problems are part of a vicious circle.

It might be hard to work out whether your symptoms are entirely linked to anxiety disorder, or if they are correlated to a different illness. If you're going through any physical symptoms it's best to talk to your GP, so they can check out what may be causing them.

Can a Person Suffer from Both Depression and Anxiety?

Yes, it is possible for someone to experience both the issues at the same time, and some people may have developed depression symptoms as a result of their anxiety disorder.

No one has to suffer from anxiety disorder or depression, and certainly not both. Treatment for anxiety disorders and depression needs to be administered and managed by a professional. People with anxiety need to speak with a therapist or other healthcare professional about their signs, and start treatment before the depression sets in.

If you’d like to help make a difference in the lives of people experiencing depression and anxiety, you might like to look at a career in the mental health industry. At National College Australia we offer nationally recognized qualifications in Mental Health.

Source: Anxiety Disorder

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Created on Oct 20th 2018 03:38. Viewed 452 times.

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