Types of mental health conditions - ANXIETY DISORDERS

Everybody experiences anxiety at some point during their lifetime. Anxiety is a natural response useful in helping us to avoid dangerous situations, and motivates us to solve everyday problems. It can vary from mild uneasiness through to a terrifying panic attack.


However, an anxiety disorder differs from normal anxiety in the following ways:


  • It is more severe.
  • It is long lasting.
  • It interferes with the person's relationships and work-life balance.


Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety


Physical Effects:

  • Palpitations, rapid heart rate, chest pains.
  • Hyperventilation, shortness of breath.
  • Dizziness, headaches, sweating, nausea.
  • Muscle aches, muscle spasms, dry mouth.
  • Stomach cramps, diarrhoea.


Behavioural Effects:

  • Avoidance of situations.
  • Distress in social situations.
  • Urges to escape situations.
  • Repetitive compulsive behaviour.
  • Continually seeking reassurance.


Psychological Effects:

  • Unrealistic and excessive fear and worry.
  • Difficulty in concentration.
  • Difficulty in making decisions.
  • Irritability impatience, anger, confusion
  • Tiredness or sleep disturbances, vivid dreams.
  • Unwanted, repetitive, unpleasant thoughts.


Types of Anxiety Disorders


Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - People with GAD experience a high level of anxiety and worry over things that don’t generally present any threat or danger. Symptoms are persistent, lasting at least six months.


Panic Disorder - A panic attack is a sudden onset fear of impending doom, terror or even death. A person who experiences these types of attacks will often avoid any situations similar to when or where it occurred previously, or in situations they perceive these things might happen. A panic attack is a sudden and very intense episode of anxiety, with many physical symptoms.


It is common for most people to have a panic attack at some point in their lives. However, few go on to have repeated attacks, and fewer still go on to develop panic disorder. Most panic attacks are brought on by triggers, which vary from person to person, however some panic attacks don’t appear to be triggered by anything specific. These are called 'uncued' panic attacks. Other panic attacks may be associated with a feared situation: for example someone with social phobia may experience a panic attack in a social setting.


Phobias - Some phobias completely control a person life, for example agoraphobia, a fear of public spaces, which often means a person never leaves their house.


A person with a phobia has a strong fear of specific items, objects or situations. This then causes them to avoid these things/situations, which can result in their phobia severely restricting their day-to-day activities or affecting their normal lifestyle. People with a phobia usually know that their fear is excessive, but this is often not enough for them to control their anxiety.


Phobias fall into five basic categories:


1 - Phobias related to animals, for example: spiders, cats, insects.

2 - Phobias related to the natural environment, for example heights, thunder, darkness, water, enclosed spaces.

3 - Phobias related to blood, injury, or medical issues, for example: blood, injections.

4 - Phobias related to specific situations, for example: flying, riding an elevator.

5 - Other phobias for example: loud noises, drowning.


PTSD - Post-traumatic is an anxiety related stress disorder. It typically develops after a traumatic or distressing event which can include actual or threatened death or serious injury, and sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse. As well as experiencing these events, witnessing such events can also lead to PTSD. Mass traumatic events such as war, terrorist attacks, severe weather etc., can also cause PTSD. 


Symptoms of PTSD can include:


  • Re-experiencing the event through flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive memories.
  • Anxiety and avoidance of situations that remind the person of the event.
  • Being constantly on edge.
  • Loss of interest in activities and in the things that once gave that person please.
  • Emotional numbing.
  • Increased irritability.
  • Doing too many things, or working too many hours in order to distract the person from re-living the traumatic experiences.
  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Physical aches, pains and general ongoing exhaustion. 


Treatments for Anxiety Disorders


Treatments for anxiety disorders include prescribed medications, psychological treatment (for example Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), self-care techniques. Medications for anti-depression can also be used to reduce and relieve symptoms of anxiety.