Anxiety explained

Anxiety is an uncomfortable emotional state in which a person feels that something bad will happen. It tends to be a diffuse feeling of danger. The feeling is accompanied by physical reactions like sweating, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, muscle tension, confusion, and sometimes dizziness or lightheadedness. In psychiatry, anxiety differs from fear, which is a physical reaction to something specific. For example, someone may feel great anxiety about an earthquake versus fearing an aggressive dog and being concerned about being bitten.

Anxiety comes in many forms. It can manifest as chronic, ongoing concerns, sleep problems, and stress. It can also come in intense attacks of anxiety in a short period of time, strong reactions after a traumatic event, excessive fear of a situation or object or excessive worry about everyday life issues. Anxiety becomes a medical disorder at the time it interferes with the activities of daily living of the person and their ability to function normally.

A common manifestation of anxiety are episodes called panic attacks. A panic attack is an anxiety attack usually happenning without there being something in the environment that justifies the intense anxiety reaction. In panic disorder the person suffering from these episodes often accompanied by concerns about having another episode. Episodes prevent normal functioning person and affect their quality of life.

Anyone can suffer from an anxiety disorder. It is estimated that worldwide 16.6 percent of people suffer from an anxiety disorder. They are very common conditions. An estimated one quarter of the population will suffer from a panic attack at some point. People with relatives who suffer from an anxiety disorder are at greater risk. So are people with a history of trauma and people with excessive stress. Also people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk for anxiety conditions.

Feelings of anxiety are caused by inappropriate activation in the brain centers that process the signals of danger. In a fit of anxiety over these centers are activated for the situation of the person. In these centers panic attacks are triggered without any reason can be identified. The anxiety centers then send signals to the rest of the brain and body and creating a sense of anxiety reaction in the body. These episodes are a reaction of the brain and in severe cases the person can not control. Several medical conditions can also cause anxiety episodes. Episodes of hypoglycemia, thyroid conditions, hormonal disorders and heart attacks can create symptoms of anxiety as something wrong is happening in the body and activates the brain.

Many people seek help from their physician or emergency room when they experience episodes of anxiety for the first time. Associated physical sensations can be extremely powerful and uncomfortable. If someone has an episode of intense anxiety, particularly if it is the first time, I recommend to seek medical help to determine the cause of the episode. Anxiety can be the first symptom of a serious condition that requires treatment. People who already have a diagnosis of an anxiety condition of neuropsychiatric origin should seek treatment to eliminate symptoms. With psychotherapy the person may develop various tools to reduce or eliminate excessive anxiety.

If the cause of anxiety can be determined it can be treated and to eliminate anxiety symptoms. And through the various therapies a person can reach the point that he or she does not require further treatment. The brain is very versatile and has great resilience. If the anxiety is caused by a condition affecting the brain that condition needs to be treated. It is important to understand that anxiety is a brain condition and that there are excellent treatments for these disorders.

It is also important to distinguish between anxiety and stress. Stress can be good if it is not excessive. Appropriate stress allows us to work better if channeled properly. Anxiety, by definition, is bad for health. Anxiety suppresses our immune response, increases the risk of disease and affects the individual and those around him. People with high stress are at risk for anxiety as excessive stress overloads the brain to the point that prevents its normal function. Prevention is possible and important, as proper stress management can prevent the development of anxiety conditions. Such prevention is important because anxiety conditions are debilitating. It is also important to society because of the high social and economic costs of these conditions once they develop.

The information in this blog is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Consult with your physician about any health concerns you have.

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