Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about a school presentation or exam, having a medical examination or going through the job interview process.
Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:
Panic disorder
Phobias, such as agoraphobia or Claustrophobia
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Social Anxiety disorder (Social Phobia)
Treatments
Treatment aims to reduce the degree to which you experience anxiety, which might include suffering panic attack.
Talking therapy and medication through psychiatric support are the main treatments for someone struggling with anxiety and panic disorders.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) could help you to identify what triggers your anxiety and how to manage it.
There are other types of anxiety diagnoses, such as General Anxiety Disorder.
What causes generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)?
The exact cause of GAD is not fully understood, although it's likely that a combination of several factors plays a role.
There are some suggestions stating the following as causes:
overactivity in areas of the brain involved in emotions and behaviour
an imbalance of the brain chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved in the control and regulation of mood
the genes you inherit from your parents – you're estimated to be 5 times more likely to develop GAD if you have a close relative with the condition
having a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying
having a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis
having a history of drug or alcohol misuse
It’s important to note that many people develop GAD for no apparent reason.
Who's affected
GAD is a common condition, estimated to affect up to 5% of the UK population.
Slightly more women are affected than men, and the condition is more common in people from the ages of 35 to 59.
How to treat anxiety and GAD:
After GP examination and neurological conditions are ruled out, then the following recommended step is to engage in talking therapy. This could be the best option to help you how bring back control of your life, challenging your thoughts, emotions, and past events that might still be triggering your anxiety.
Talking therapies help you manage your anxiety and continue to function in daily life.