Anxiety

Experiencing anxiety from time to time is a normal bodily response to stress. It's our natural fight or flight response to tense situations. However, you may have an anxiety disorder if your anxiety continues for several months.

Types of anxiety disorders

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear or worry in everyday life.
• Social anxiety: A fear of being judged or ridiculed in social situations.
• Panic disorder: Experiencing repeated anxiety attacks.
• Separation anxiety: Fear of being separated or away from a particular person or people.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD occurs after a traumatic event and can result in various mood disorders.
• Phobia: An uncontrollable and irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation.

Symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety is often confused with stress or worry, but anxiety manifests in extreme fear and panic, while stress is short-term. Other symptoms include:

• Increased heart rate
• Intense feelings of stress and nervousness
• Restlessness
• Hyperventilation
• Low energy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Unable to focus
• Anxiety attacks

Causes of anxiety disorders

Unfortunately, there is no direct cause or understanding of why some people experience anxiety disorders. They are mainly believed to develop after traumatic incidents or from certain medications.

Treatment for anxiety

There are two main methods of treatment for anxiety disorders:

• Psychotherapy: Therapy will equip you with the correct tools and knowledge to help you identify your triggers and learn to cope with your anxiety in everyday life.
• Medication: Medical treatment may be necessary in more severe cases of anxiety. A psychiatrist may prescribe sedatives or antidepressants to treat your condition.

In addition to treatment, you can make several lifestyle changes to improve the condition of your anxiety, including enhancing a healthy diet and avoiding drugs, alcohol, smoking and any stimulants.