Why it happens?

Severe anxiety and panic attacks are associated with a variety of reasons. For instance it could be due to distressing events or past experiences, upbringing, everyday life and habits that include excess caffeine and sugar, poor eating habits, stress, drugs, side effects associated with some medication and even the fear of losing control over life. Some theories even suggest that you may inherit a tendency to be more anxious

Biological factors

• Genetic basis
• Chemically induced anxiety states e.g by sodium lactate, caffeine etc.
• Neurotransmitters : Norepinephrine, 5HT, Dopamine

Behavioral Theory

Anxiety is viewed as an unconditioned inherent response of the organism to painful response of the organism to painful or dangerous stimuli. In anxiety and phobias, this becomes attached to relatively neutral stimuli by conditioning.

Cognitive Behavior Theory

Due to cognitive distortions, negative automatic thoughts and perception of decreased control over both internal and external stimuli.

Symptoms of Anxiety

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Stomach upset or dizziness
• Frequent urination or diarrhoea
• Shortness of breath
• Tremors and twitches
• Muscle Tension
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Psychological Symptoms

• Fearless Anticipation
• Irritability
• Sensitivity to noise
• Restlessness
• Poor concentration
• Depression
• Obsessions
• Depersonalization

What are the types of disorders?

• Panic Disorder – An individual experiences an intense attack of anxiety with a sense of an approaching doom. It can vary from a few attacks a year to several attacks in one day.
• Agoraphobia – The individual experiences anxiety in such situations wherein escape would be difficult. Agoraphobia often coexists with panic disorder.
• Specific Phobia – The individual has excessive amounts of fear related to a specific object, situation or circumstance. For example- fear of heights, fear of escalators, fear of insects, etc.
• Social Anxiety Disorder – The individual may experience fear of a certain social situations that involve interaction with strangers or scrutiny. Individuals may hold the fear of being negatively judged or making a fool of themselves.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Individuals may experience anxiety about mostly everything, most days for at least a period of 6 months. Their worry is excessive, difficult to control and associated with physical symptoms like sleep disturbances and irritability.

Effects of Anxiety

SHORT TERM EFFECTS:

• Increased muscular tension causing discomfort and headaches
• Rapid breathing may make you feel light-headed and shaky,
• Rising blood pressure can make you more aware of a pounding heart.
• Changes in the blood supply to your digestive system may cause nausea and sickness
• You may feel an urgent need to visit the toilet, and get ‘butterflies’ in your stomach.

LONG TERM EFFECTS:

• Fear combined with tension and lack of sleep can weaken your immune system,
• You may experience digestive difficulties
• Psychological effects including severe depression
• Anxiety can make you more fearful, on edge, irritable, and unable to relax or concentrate.
• An overwhelming desire to seek the reassurance of others, to be weepy and dependent.
• Impact on work, leisure and relationships.
• Lifestyle related effects like starting smoking, drinking or even taking drugs.

Management of Anxiety

• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Yoga, pranayama
• Biofeedback
• Drug Treatment
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antidepressant
  • B-Blockers etc.