Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
stress anxiety

Anxiety disorders are pretty common. Every other person these days remains anxious in their day-to-day life. I reckon that not everyone has an anxiety disorder but not everyone is diagnosed properly. Many people do have anxiety disorders and they remain functioning without even knowing it.  

Now the question is, do you know what anxiety disorders are? How do they manifest? How is anxiety different from everyday life stress? What are its treatment options? Alright. Let’s break down this topic and check out everything there is to know about anxiety disorders.  

Social Anxiety Disorder  

The first one for today is a social anxiety disorder. It usually manifests in childhood or the teenage years and grows with you as you age. It becomes more and more severe as you grow up and start socializing on your own. Though many people still confuse it with shyness, its symptoms are a lot more severe than that.  

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder 

  • A fear of being judged  
  • Intense fear of interacting with people  
  • Worries about embarrassing or humiliating yourself  
  • Trembling, shaking, or sweating in social situations  
  • Nausea or blushing in severe cases  

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder  

  • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications  
  • Beta-blockers to block the effects of adrenaline  
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
  • Exposure-based response and prevention therapy  
  • Stress-reduction skills, including deep breathing  

Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is another common anxiety disorder. It is the most difficult of them all as it has no particular trigger. In GAD, you remain anxious through it all. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it affects around 6.8 million adults in the US every year and the prevalence of this disorder is higher in women than men.  

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

  • Difficulty controlling feelings of worry and fear  
  • Having muscle tension or digestive issues  
  • Irritability or feelings of going blank  
  • Trembling, shaking, or sweating  
  • Feeling restless or wound-up  
  • Having fatigue most of the day, everyday  

Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 
  • Sleep-inducing drugs in case of insomnia 
  • Medicinal herbs, including chamomile and trippy treats
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder  

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly referred to as OCD, is another anxiety disorder that brings along severe compulsions and obsessions. As mentioned by the National Institute of Mental Health, almost 2.2 million adults in the US are diagnosed with OCD every year. The average age of its onset of symptoms is 19, though some people start showing symptoms at 14 as well.  

Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 

  • Needing everything in order  
  • Difficulty tolerating uncertainty  
  • Horrific or aggressive thoughts about losing control  
  • Unwanted thoughts about religious or sexual objects  
  • Intense fear of dirt or contamination  

Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder  

  • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications  
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
  • Exposure and response prevention (ERP) 
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) 
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) 

The Takeaway  

Apart from the ones mentioned, certain phobias are quite common. The key to successful disorder management is early diagnosis followed by treatment. It is plain and simple. I hope it helps you out. Here’s wishing you a wonderful day ahead!

By Manali