Anxiety is a psychological disorder, also known colloquially as anxiety disorder. Panic attacks, sleep problems and anxious behavior are some of the common symptoms of this disorder. The most common process among individuals with anxiety disorder is the denial phase.
People with anxiety disorders feel the negative effects of this condition intensely from time to time in their daily and professional life. Since it is a treatable psychological disorder, it is beneficial for the quality of life of the person to consult a specialist without delay.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety is a condition characterized by a feeling of extreme worry and fear. Symptoms may vary from person to person and vary in severity. Common anxiety symptoms can be listed as follows:
Physical Symptoms:
- Heart palpitations or rapid pulse,
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing,
- Headache or dizziness,
- Tremors or muscle tension,
- Stomach problems (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea).
Emotional Symptoms:
- Constant worry, panic and fear,
- A sense of loneliness,
- A feeling of restlessness or nervousness,
- A sense of loss of control,
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping.
Behavioral Symptoms:
- Avoidance behaviors (avoidance of social interactions),
- The need for constant control or perfectionism,
- Obsessive thoughts or repetitive rituals.
Mental Symptoms:
- Constant anxious thoughts,
- Difficulty concentrating,
- Memory problems,
- Overestimation of fears,
- Constant thinking of negative scenarios.
Social Symptoms:
- Social withdrawal or isolation,
- Difficulty communicating with people,
- Avoidance of social activities.
If one or more of the above symptoms persist for a long time, it is important to seek professional help. A health professional is best suited to assess the person's condition and recommend appropriate treatment methods.
What Causes Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder can often be caused by a combination of many different factors. These factors can be genetic, biological, environmental and psychosocial. Here are some of the factors that cause anxiety disorder:
Genetic Factors: Individuals with a family history of such a disorder may be at higher risk of having it. Genetic factors can increase susceptibility to anxiety disorders by influencing certain personality traits and brain chemistry.
Biological Factors: Imbalances in brain chemistry, changes in neurotransmitter levels and hormonal factors can be among the causes. For example, it may be associated with dysregulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine.
Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as traumatic life events, childhood stress, family problems, work or school stress can also lead to the development of the disorder. Challenging life events can trigger or exacerbate the condition.
Individual Factors: An individual's personality structure, way of thinking and emotional reactions can also be effective in its emergence. Individual characteristics such as perfectionism, low self-esteem, lack of social skills may also increase this type of disorder.
Neurological Factors: Structural or functional disorders in the brain can contribute to the development of this type of disorder. For example, it can be associated with abnormal activity of brain regions such as the amygdala or hypothalamus.
What are the Risk Factors for Anxiety?
There are a number of risk factors that influence the development of anxiety disorders. These factors are associated with genetic, biological, environmental and personal characteristics of the individual. Potential risk factors for anxiety disorder:
Genetic Predisposition: Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders may be at increased risk of having this disorder. Genetic factors may increase the risk of the disorder through variations in certain genes.
Biological Factors: Imbalances in brain chemistry, changes in neurotransmitter levels, hormonal factors and neurological disorders can increase the risk of the disorder.
Childhood Stress: Traumatic events in childhood, family problems, abuse or neglect can increase the risk of occurrence. Stress during this period can affect the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder in adulthood.
Personality Traits: Certain personality traits, especially traits such as perfectionism, low self-esteem, a tendency to worry constantly, can increase the risk of anxiety.
Individual Sensitivity: Individuals who are more mentally and emotionally sensitive may be more vulnerable to environmental stresses, which may facilitate the development of anxiety.
Chronic Diseases: Certain chronic health problems, especially disorders related to the nervous system, may increase the risk of developing it.
Family Environment and Upbringing: Factors such as stress in the family, family conflicts, emotional abuse or anxiety disorders in the family can affect the risk of anxiety. In addition, family upbringing can also influence a child's development of anxiety.
Gender: There are observations that women are generally more prone to anxiety disorders than men. Hormonal changes may play a role in this gender difference.
These factors differ from person to person and in many cases a combination of them may play a role. Knowledge about anxiety disorder risk factors is important for prevention and effective treatment.
What is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder in which an individual feels excessive worry and fear in social settings or social interactions. This is associated with the fear that others will evaluate or criticize them negatively. People with social anxiety disorder often experience great discomfort in public or in conspicuous situations.
Social anxiety usually occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, but can develop at any time of life. It can negatively affect an individual's ability to cope with social interactions and can affect their daily life, work performance and overall quality of life.
Individuals with social anxiety disorder may often need a treatment approach that includes therapy, medication or both to cope with their condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common type of therapy used to deal with this disorder. Medication can also help to alleviate symptoms. Treatment is individualized depending on the individual's needs and symptoms.
What are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders refer to a range of psychiatric conditions in which emotional reactions such as excessive worry, fear or tension are marked and persistent. These disorders involve a level of anxiety that affects a person's life, usually more intense and frequent than normal daily stress and worry. Some of the anxiety disorders include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): It is defined as a state of constant, marked and uncontrollable worry and tension. GAD can affect daily activities and may be accompanied by somatic symptoms.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): It is characterized by excessive worry and fear associated with social situations or performances. Fear of being negatively evaluated or criticized by others is often the basis of this disorder.
Panic Disorder: A condition characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear (panic attacks). Panic attacks occur suddenly, with symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, trembling and fear of death.
Agoraphobia: Characterized by avoidance of situations or places that trigger or exacerbate panic attacks. This is usually associated with avoidance of public places or enclosed spaces.
Specific Phobia: An extreme fear and avoidance response to a specific object, situation or activity. Examples include fear of heights, spider phobia or fear of airplanes.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is characterized by compulsive obsessions (recurrent thoughts) and compulsive compulsions (repetitive behaviors) developed in response to these obsessions. These behaviors may affect the person's daily life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): It involves feelings of severe stress and fear following a traumatic event. The person may experience memories, nightmares and emotional arousal related to the traumatic event.
How is Anxiety Diagnosed?
Anxiety is a diagnosis that can be made by a specialist during an examination. This diagnosis can be made as a result of the expert's evaluations after the expert interview with the patient. After the diagnosis is made, treatment is started with the appropriate treatment method.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment Methods
Anxiety treatment is a treatment that produces positive responses in a very short period of time and mainly includes anxiolytic and antidepressant medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy and stepped exposure work. These treatment modalities are usually administered by a specialized clinical psychologist. Breathing exercises, cognitive and behavioral interventions also play an important role in the treatment process.
Treatment may include a combination of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy. These medications should be prescribed by a specialist and taken regularly under specialist supervision. The effect of antidepressant medication usually does not start for one to two weeks.
Psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication or separately. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a frequently preferred psychotherapy method in the treatment of anxiety. After 5-6 sessions, patients may be able to control their anxiety. In addition, patients are taught relaxation exercises.
During the treatment of anxiety disorder, it should be taken into consideration that the patient may have other psychiatric disorders. Diagnosing and treating these illnesses is important in the anxiety treatment process.
Anxiety Test
An anxiety test is a tool that specifically helps to assess anxiety symptoms. This test measures an individual's level of anxiety and helps to identify possible anxiety disorders. Based on the test results, the degree of anxiety can be determined and an appropriate diagnosis can be made. You can check this link for the anxiety test: https://cdn.npistanbul.com/beck-anksiyete-testi
Anxiety Medication
In this case, treatment is usually initiated with the best anxiety medication appropriate for the patient. A multidisciplinary approach is required here. Dose adjustment is also personalized with the drug blood level test to be performed in our pharmacogenetic laboratory.
Anxiety in Children
Anxiety in children is often rooted in worries and fears. These anxieties can be associated with the child's fear of separation from parents, worries about school, teachers and safe spaces. Although these are situations that can normally be experienced, a child with high anxiety is unable to manage these feelings effectively. Expert support is important for dealing with this type of disorder in children. Certain fears can often be at the root of this condition. These fears are identified through interviews with the child and his/her family and the treatment process is initiated. Expert help with anxiety is important to support the healthy development of the child.
How Does Anxiety Occur in Children?
Anxiety usually starts to appear in children at school age. Children form a close bond with their environment from infancy. In this context, changes in a child's life can often cause anxiety, fear and generalized worry.
What is seen in children with anxiety disorders?
Children with anxiety disorders usually have mental symptoms. These symptoms include restlessness, distraction, excessive excitement, lack of self-control, introversion or excessive extroversion.
What should be the parents' attitude towards the child during this process?
This process starts from the infancy of the child. From infancy, the child becomes emotionally attached to his/her mother. During this period, it is important for the mother to behave without making the child feel anxiety and worry and to avoid excessive reactions. Concerns in the first infant are based on basic needs such as sucking, hunger, physical contact and sadness. The parents' supportive and reassuring attitude towards the child in this process contributes to the formation of a healthy attachment.
What are the Solutions for Anxiety in Children?
If the anxiety in children is at a low level, the mother and father can support the child by recognizing this situation. However, if the devotion of the family alone is not enough, it is absolutely necessary to seek help from a specialist.
