Anxiety Disorder or Disease!!!

Photo for representational purpose

Anxiety has become a common factor in today's hectic life, more so in metros. It is like metabolic syndrome which is associated with obesity hypertension & diabetes, along with many other diseases.

Anxiety is incorporated in everyone's life at one or other point of time but having anxiety occasionally is part of life.

But in anxiety disorder it becomes more sustained & repeated feeling of worry and fear triggered by even slightest provocation. Milder forms may usually go unnoticed but severe form causes interference with daily routine.

Are Indians More prone for anxiety?

In India context almost 20% of Indians suffer from some or other mental illness as estimated by WHO.

More than 40 million Indians suffer from anxiety alone. Surprisingly a survey done in India shows that is is more common between the age of 20-29 yrs and females suffer more from it.

In covid times almost 40% of Indians suffered from either anxiety or depression.

What are different types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are mainly classified in following groups;

Generalized Anxiety Disorder;

Most common form of anxiety, & people are not usually aware of it. People have severe, nonspecific, long lasting worry or phobias of events, objects & situations .Cause is usually unknown.

Panic Disorders;

Sudden & severe form with terror & apprehension, may last for longer period of time.

Symptoms include breathing difficulty, giddiness, nausea, sweating, chest pain & confusion etc.

Specific Phobia:

As per the names it is pertaining to specific object or situation so it differs from other anxiety disorders. The trigger may be darkness, heights, some animal, or everyday object.

Social anxiety or social phobia:

It includes fear of negative judgement in social & public situation .This can cause people to avoid situation of public interaction & socializing. May include Stage fear, fear of intimacy, humiliation & rejection.

Separation phobia:

Separation from place or person which makes a person secure & safe by mere its presence.

Agoraphobia:

Feeling of fear and anxiety in a place which seems difficult to escape or any help in some emergency situations, like airplane, train, any public transport or even tied in crowded place.

Selective Mutism:

A type of social anxiety, when a kid or younger adult keeps mum at school or public & social gatherings.

What are the symptoms of Anxiety?

Main symptoms are excessive worry & fear, but specific symptoms is as per type of anxiety disorders.

In generalized anxiety: you can have many symptoms like

. Uneasiness, restlessness,

. Feeling tired all the time, body aches

. Poor concentration & irritability

. Sleeplessness or poor sleep

In phobia's you can have particular phobic symptoms of palpitations, giddiness, chest pain & sweating etc

Am I at risk?

The genetic & environmental factors may contribute to the disorder.

Some common factors may be negative life situations or memories in younger life, similar history in family or relatives, some diseases like hyperthyroidism, heart arrhythmia, caffeine or drug abuse etc

Is there any treatment?

Yes, it can be treated with drugs, psychotherapy or both. Doctors are helpful in discussing & identity the right treatment for anxiety. The treatment a take a little time to take its effects but the therapy should be continued for better results