ANXIETY
Anxiety is a normal human emotion; it helps us to keep safe by triggering physical and behavioural changes in the body.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Common symptoms of high anxiety may include:
- Shallow breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Frequent urination or diarrhoea
- Muscle tension
- Hot and cold flushes
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Increased tiredness
- Avoidance of certain places/people or activity.
- Poor concertation.
Types of anxiety disorders
The five major types of anxiety disorders are
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviours (compulsions). Repetitive behaviours such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called “rituals,” however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.
- Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
- Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation – such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others – or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.
Treatment Options
There are two broad categories of treatment for anxiety, these include:
- Psychological treatments (talking therapies). Research shows that psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) can be an effective treatment for anxiety.
- Physical treatments (medications)
A combination of the above anxiety treatment approaches can be helpful.
At Mind psychology, we can help you with treatment of anxiety by using evidence-based interventions. Please free to contact us to organise your appointment to begin your wellbeing journey.
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