What are Anxiety Disorders?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: It is a state of excessive worry and nervousness that a person feels about everything for no concrete reason. A person with generalized anxiety disorder experiences disproportionate anxiety even in routine activities and events. Symptoms can include fatigue, muscle tension, hypervigilance, attention problems and sleep problems.
Panic Disorder A panic attack is a sudden and recurring episode of distress or fear that causes intense terror. One in 10 people experience a panic attack once in their lives, but in some it recurs. When it recurs, it disrupts the quality of life and functionality of the person. It starts suddenly and gradually increases in severity. It manifests itself with symptoms such as chest tightness, sweating, heart palpitations, feeling of suffocation, trembling, fear of death, etc.
Anxiety symptoms and panic attack symptoms are similar but different problems. With anxiety symptoms, there is often an ongoing uneasiness that makes itself felt constantly. In panic attack symptoms, on the other hand, the person feels in danger and his/her heart starts to beat fast, dizziness, lightheadedness, numbness, loss of control, fear of going crazy, chills, shivering, flushing, feeling as if he/she is out of breath or may think that he/she will faint. The course of attacks usually lasts between 10-30 minutes and decreases in severity after a peak.
Panic attacks come in two forms. Situational panic attacks (e.g. in specific phobias) and panic attacks that occur unexpectedly. Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety about the possibility of having other panic attacks in the intervals between attacks. In contrast to other anxiety disorders, the anxiety here is an anxiety that a panic attack will occur.
Social Anxiety Disorder: It is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs in social situations that require interaction with other people. It is caused by fears of being ridiculed, humiliated, disgraced, etc. by other people. These people avoid speaking loudly in a crowd, attending dinners or invitations. On the other hand, it can also occur in situations that require performance, such as speaking to authority figures. It is one of the most common anxiety disorders, but treatment admissions are low. Therefore, late presentation to treatment may lead to deterioration in functioning and quality of life, and additional psychiatric disorders such as depression may be added to the picture.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is the name given to a type or mixture of reactions following trauma. If the symptoms that occur after the traumatic event last for a month or more, these reactions can be considered as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Depending on the number, type and severity of the symptoms, a partial or complete diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder can be made. Symptoms include flashbacks, repetitive thoughts about the event, insomnia, easily startled, nightmares, irritability, alienation, inability to make plans for the future, avoidance and restlessness in situations that remind the event.
Specific Phobias: It is a state of anxiety and fear of a specific creature, object or situation. These fears and anxieties can often cause avoidance behavior in people with specific phobias. For example; fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of animals, fear of blood, injections, diseases, etc.
Agoraphobia It is defined as fear of space. In this type of fear, the person may feel as if he/she will be trapped in a space, will be in an embarrassing situation and will not be able to escape from the environment. People with agoraphobia may experience feelings such as neediness, being trapped and embarrassment. They may also experience panic attacks.
Separation Anxiety: It is a state of anxiety and fear that comes when an individual thinks that he/she is separated from or distanced from a loved one. In people with separation anxiety, the anxiety-causing situation is not only getting away from the beloved figure, but also worrisome thoughts about harm to that person can be seen. Symptoms of separation anxiety can include having nightmares about this issue and being physically affected by the thoughts.
Selective Mute: It is an anxiety disorder that can be seen in some children. While the child can communicate and talk with family members at home, he/she cannot express himself/herself in social environments such as the community and school. Since this situation will negatively affect the child's education and work life in the future, care should be taken and professional support should be sought.
What are the Causes of Anxiety Disorders?
There is no clear and definite cause for anxiety disorders. Health problems, hereditary factors, traumatic experiences and certain life events can trigger anxiety disorders.
- Genetic factors have been reported to be an important cause. If family members have anxiety disorders, the person himself/herself may also be at risk.
- Environmental factors (traumatic experiences) can be a cause for anxiety disorders.
- Thyroid gland diseases, diabetes, heart and lung problems can also cause anxiety disorders.
- If medication is used, anxiety disorders may occur as a side effect of the use of these medications.
What are the Risk Factors for Anxiety Disorder?
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. What are these factors?
- People with traumatic experiences are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders.
- People who avoid communicating, who are shy, who withdrew from others in childhood are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety disorders.
- People who abuse drugs or alcohol are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorder symptoms.
- The negative perceptions that accompany lack of self-confidence can lead to anxiety disorders.
- Depression increases the risk of anxiety disorders.
- Individuals with traumatic experiences such as early neglect and sexual abuse are at increased risk of having anxiety problems.
- Certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders.
- Stress and anxiety arising from health-related issues can also lead to anxiety disorders.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety disorder has a number of symptoms.
- Anxiety caused by the feeling that something bad is going to happen
- Feeling tense, restless and in a state of panic
- Tremor
- Sweating
- Focus problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Shortness of breath
- Dry mouth
- Heartbeat acceleration
- Giving up activities that cause anxiety
- Sleep problems
- It can be considered one of the main anxiety disorder symptoms.
How is Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose an anxiety disorder, it is first necessary to investigate whether the person has an underlying health problem that is causing this problem. For this reason, thyroid gland functions, complete blood count tests and chemical evaluation of urine may be needed. The severity of the anxiety level and any other accompanying psychological disorders should be evaluated by a psychiatrist.
In the meantime, the physician can reveal the presence of an anxiety disorder by checking whether the criteria for anxiety disorder according to the DSM diagnostic criteria are met. Since it is not easy to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder, it is important to give clear and precise answers to some of the questions the specialist will ask.
