subject: Anxiety Disorder: Assessing The Threat [print this page] Anxiety Disorder: Assessing The Threat Anxiety Disorder: Assessing The Threat
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress which helps enhance our concentration levels and perform better in everyday life but when anxiety levels start peaking and interfere with your normal functioning, it can be alarming. If you suffer from high levels of emotional irritability at the slightest hint of anxiety along with difficulty in concentrating on the task at hand, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder, which, although very much treatable, needs to be confirmed with the help of proper diagnosis.
Some of the signs usually associated with anxiety disorders are sudden involuntary muscular tension, heavy breathing and a feeling of deep apprehension when one encounters any tense situation at work or home. There are professional medication and behavioral therapies available for the same but it is necessary to work on individual cases and identify the type of anxiety disorder before starting with the therapy. Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent types of anxiety disorders and most of the general symptoms manifest with increasing intensity in the patients.
Usually irrational fears of something going drastically wrong plagues the victims and they get cold fingers, palpitations and on the edge without much reason. When anxiety levels start peaking without any warning and one has an episode it is known as anxiety attack. One could feel like losing control over everything an anxiety or panic attack occurs which may last for upto half an hour in some instances. The feeling is skin to having a heart attack with extreme sweating, heavy breath and the victim is gripped by a feeling of intense fear and panic which makes it a traumatic experience.
For anxiety attack relief, a number of medications and therapies have been developed and recommended by experts. Some of the most prescribed medications for the same feature antidepressants and benzodiazepines which have been shown to be very effective. A recurrence of anxiety attacks can eventually grow into panic disorder which can pose a serious threat to the psychological as well as physical well being of an individual. A fear of sudden recurrence of panic attack in cramped places or where it might be difficult to reach help can develop into Agoraphobia which makes it very difficult for victims to go out in public places or where they might feel vulnerable.
Despite a number of medications being available, it is of utmost necessity to get a detailed diagnosis in case of panic disorder or if one had anxiety attacks along with the medical and psychological profile of the victim. It is only with the help of personalized treatment that experts can decide what kind of anxiety medicine can work well in a particular case. In combination with psychotherapy, medications can work wonders for those suffering from panic disorder.
Other forms of anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder which makes the victim suffer from imaginary fears of something catastrophic happening if they don't follow a set pattern of behavior bordering on ritualistic manners. Usually, self-help strategies can be very effective in this form of anxiety disorder, but a variety of medications may also be prescribed, as deemed fit by professionals in individual cases. Post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder are some of the other types of anxiety disorders.
Social anxiety disorder involves an irrational fear of social exposure and being overly conscious of one's appearance and social image while trying to communicate or socialize. Of all the types of disorders, panic attacks and panic disorder can be considered as potentially most harmful which can wreck major psychological damage on victims in some of the cases. Those seeking anxiety attack relief should work along with experts in the field to develop a tailor-made treatment strategy which can be of great help.
Panic disorder needs to be tackled very intelligently to avoid the worst of the scenarios for the individual concerned but this requires family and therapists to work diligently on developing the medical profile of the patient and carrying out the plan of treatment with great care. Some of the other considerations include possibility of panic disorder being accompanied by other psychological disorders as well including depression and other issues. This is precisely why a proper diagnosis is the first step to the right kind of treatment as it can help the experts suggest the most appropriate anxiety medicine for any patient along with psychotherapeutic strategies found to be most relevant for any specific individual.
