Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder is a type of mental health condition. It is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, or fear that are strongly interfere in routine activities. It is normal when we become anxious sometimes but when these worries start effecting our normal daily life then it required correction either through medication or counselling as per required for example if a person stuck in traffic and get late for office anxiety is common. But when you watch tv and get anxious by earthquake news in some different country and lost sleep at night worrying as it happens near you then it is excessive level of anxiety that should be treated. This disorder may vary in specific symptoms triggers and severity.

Types of anxiety disorder:

1 Phobic Disorder: Intense and irrational fears of specific objects, situations or activities such as height, from animals, flying, closed places, crowds etc.

2 Panic Disorder: People with panic disorder experience repeated episodes of intense fear and discomfort. These panic attacks reach in their peak intensity within a few minutes and very distressing. Panic attacked are accompanied with many physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate excessive sweating trembling shortness of breath and chest pain.

3 Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Continuous excessive worries irrespective to situations such as in work, health, family and everyday situations. It is difficult to control and shown in various physical symptoms such as restlessness fatigue, irritation, disturbed sleep poor concentration, nervousness excessive sweating, persistent worrying and overthinking.

4 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: It is a chronic mental health condition in which frequent unwanted thoughts and sensation causes repetitive behavior which causes distress and anxiety such as fear of being contaminated by dirt's or by touching objects, washing hands frequently, frequently checking doors, checking the stoves repeatedly to make sure it’s off or on.

5 Social Anxiety Disorder: It includes fear and anxiety disorder in social situations that interfere in daily routine works and other activities. Symptoms include intense fear in social situations fear of being noticed by others, worrying of being humiliating or embarrassing fear of being interacting strangers, concern people will notice you are in stressed or nervous.

6 Separation Anxiety Disorder: It is a psychological condition characterized by extreme fear or anxiety of being separated from loved once or place. It is most commonly effect children but adult one also effected. Clinging behavior, unwilling to sleep alone, stomachs, headache or nausea before going to school or place away from home.

7 Agoraphobia: Is an anxiety disorder characterized by fear of being in situation where escape is difficult for example in crowed places malls, public transportation, large gatherings, enclosed places such as theatre, elevator etc.

Causes of Anxiety Disorder:

1 Genetics: Anxiety disorder can run in family if you have a close family member with an anxiety disorder there is high risk of developing in oneself.

2 People with certain medical conditions such as heart problem thyroid problem such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, respiratory problems ex- COPD and Asthma, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome can be associated with anxiety disorder.

3 The prolong use of drugs or alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety disorder.

4 People with prolonged stressful life, traumatic events in childhood are at high risk of developing anxiety disorder.

5 Highly sensitive people or over cautious person shyness in childhood (child abuse, death of loved once, seen violence) are in high risk of developing anxiety disorder.

6 Studies suggest that female is more likely to develop anxiety disorder than male.

7 Imbalance in neurotransmitter (are chemical that help to transmit signals in the brain) such as dopamine serotonin, norepinephrine has been linked to anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder:

• Having difficulty in falling sleep, unsatisfactory sleep, unrefreshing sleep Feeling of restlessness nervousness.

• Easily fatigued feeling week, muscle tightness.

• Headache, dryness of mouth, stomachs or unexplained pains, stomachs upset, nausea during period of increased anxiety.

• Difficult in concentration , find challenges in focusing on work .

• Rapid heart rate , rapid breathing , increased sweating trembling

• Irrational fears of certain objects or situations. Excessive worries of various aspects of life such as school, office, about family, about health.

Impact of Anxiety Disorder on Quality of life:

• In many ways anxiety disorder effect the health, in prolonged sufferers it effects the immune system and end up getting sick more often.

• Anxiety disorder effect the individual's ability to take decisions, concentration and performance in school, offices, at home so it can lead to frequents absents in school, decreased problem-solving abilities decreased productivity, loss of income, and unfulfilled potential.

• In severe cases anxiety disorder develop avoidance behavior. Person avoid situation or place they fear, and this avoidance effect their daily activities, limit to meet with people travelling and many opportunities, interactions with loved once.

• Anxiety can hinder personal growth and development of individual, and limit from taking on new challenges trying new experiences, pursuing their goals.

• Individuals who experience anxiety from prolonged time may often turn to addiction for drugs or alcohol to calm themselves and prolonged uses of these substances badly effect the brain and body functioning and result of increase anxiety overtime and many other health issues.

Management of Anxiety Disorder:

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or counselling play very important role in treatment of anxiety disorder. By addressing the root causes, help in identifying negative thought pattern that contribute to anxiety, provides safe and supportive environment where individual can express their feeling fears and concerns. It can be highly beneficial in managing anxiety.

Homeopathic medicines: Some of the commonly used homeopathic medicine for treating anxiety disorder are Aconite, Argentum nitricum , Arsenic album, Calcarea carb Gelsemium, Lycopodium,Natrum mur, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla ,Syphillinum ,Thuja etc It is important to consult with a qualified homeopathic practitioner to determine the most appropriate remedy for your individual symptoms.

Homeopathic treatment for anxiety disorder is based on the principle of individualization, a complete case history required before starting homeopathic treatment. Homeopathic treatment is completely safe treatment, it reduces duration, intensity or severity of symptoms gradually. If along with homeopathic treatment patient take psychotherapy or counselling the outcome of treatment is more promising.

Diet: Consume well balanced diet that includes variety of fruits, vegetables whole grains, that provides essential nutrients which support brain function.

• Omega 3 fatty acid rich foods include fatty fish (like salmon mackerel and sardines) chia seeds walnuts. They have anti-inflammatory effects that support the brain health.

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption.

• Food rich in magnesium include leafy vegetables spinach kale, almonds and cashews nuts seeds like pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds should add in your diet.

• Food rich in Vitamin B (B6,B9, B12) includes leafy vegetables avocados and fortified cereals help in regulating mood as they involve in synthesis of neurotransmitters.

• Paying attention to your food and eating habits without any distractions also known as mindful eating help in reducing stress.

• Ensure you stay well hydrated throughout the day.