Understanding anxiety

Anxiety is a normal emotion, but when one starts feeling disproportionate levels of anxiety, it is considered a medical disorder. Anxiety disorders are often characterised by excessive fear, apprehension, worry and nervousness. These conditions affect how a person behaves and processes emotions, sometimes even causing physical symptoms.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses and they affect millions of people around the world. Knowing the difference between normal anxious feelings and an anxiety disorder can help manage problems.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety is part of several different mental disorders, which include:

Panic disorder: The person experiences recurring panic attacks at unexpected times. During the attack they feel as they are having a heart attack. They often live in fear of the next panic attack

Social anxiety disorder: Extreme fear of social situations and being judged by other people. They have difficulty in public speaking and talking to strangers.

Phobia: Excessive and irrational fear of a specific situation, activity or object

Separation anxiety disorder: Excessive fear of being away from home or loved ones

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Recurring irrational thoughts, impulses or images that cause the person to perform repeated specific behaviours or actions

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Anxiety that develops following a traumatic event

Illness anxiety disorder: Anxiety revolving around one’s health

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person as they have a unique ways of processing and experiencing emotions. This disorder often manifests itself as panic attacks, painful thoughts or memories and nightmares. It is normally characterised by a general feeling of worry or fear, often regarding a specific event or place. The most common symptoms of anxiety are:

• Restlessness, excessive worry over a small issue, fear of unknown
• Trouble concentrating
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing

Recognising the signs of anxiety can help one to understand the problem and reach out for help. Anxiety disorders can be easily treated with therapy and medication. Consult ones psychiatrist or therapist for more details on anxiety disorders.