Genetics

Many studies are showing that anxiety disorders may very well have a genetic component to them.  If an individual comes from a family where parents or siblings experience anxiety disorders, he or she is at an increased risk, too.

Chemistry

It is believed that one of the common causes of anxiety disorders is an imbalance in a person’s brain chemistry.  Neurotransmitters are chemicals used to relay messages in the brain.  People with anxiety disorders often have abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, whether it’s too much or too little.  This makes it difficult for messages to be sent correctly and changes the way our bodies and brains react to different situations.

Environment

While many of those things considered to be the most common causes of anxiety are actually internal (genetics, brain chemistry, etc.), there are others that are external.  Stressful life events can also influence how a person perceives and deals with anxiety.  An extreme example is when someone develops post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic event.

Common Causes of Daily Anxiety

Whether you suffer from a diagnosed anxiety disorder or are simply experiencing a bit of reasonable anxiety over an upcoming event, there are certain things that may be making you feel worse.  The very things that many of us use to try and alleviate anxiety can actually increase it.  For example, many people feel that having a couple of alcoholic drinks will help them to relax.  For this reason, substance abuse (not just with alcohol) is a very common problem among those with anxiety disorders.

What most of these people don’t realize is that alcohol and other substances are actually some of the most common causes of anxiety.  Drinking ends up creating a vicious cycle where one has to drink more and more to try and calm anxiety levels because the alcohol is actually increasing the anxiety.  Even something as simple as caffeine and nicotine, which are supposed to be a pick-me-up, have a physiological effect that make them some of the more common causes of anxiety in daily life.

Of course, there are other causes for anxiety, and many of them are not unreasonable or illogical.  If you need to give a big presentation at work, are having a difficult time with your significant other, or are experiencing money problems, you may be dealing with a lot of additional anxiety.  For those with anxiety disorder, however, their reactions to these situations are out of proportion with the actual threat.  They may spend an excessive amount of time worrying about things that haven’t even actually occurred.

Combating Anxiety on Your Own

While anxiety disorders my require the intervention of a professional, there are many things that an individual can do on his or her own to help limit the damage caused by many of the most common causes of anxiety.  A simple one, of course, is to cut out those things mentioned above that bring on more stress, such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

There are other physiological factors that cause or worsen anxiety levels, and working to alleviate those can be an important step in feeling better. Exercise is a great way to do this, as it helps to release good neurotransmitters in the brain, causing us to feel good and to experience less anxiety.  There are other things you can consider, as well.  Because anxiety often makes us breathe faster and speeds up our heart rates, less oxygen makes it to the brain and muscles.  When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, we are unable to make the best decisions—thereby increasing our own stress levels.  Something as simple as taking a few deep breaths can be enough to ward off these common causes of anxiety.

Once you have reached the other side of an attack, though, you will likely find yourself with a lot of questions.

What is an anxiety and panic disorder?
Why is this happening to me?
What can I do to make it stop?

Chances are you will be looking for answers, and you will want them fast.  Surprisingly, simply having anxiety and panic disorder explained in a clear way can be the very first thing that helps bring the anxiety level down.

To begin with, the terms “anxiety disorder” and “panic disorder” are often used interchangeably among those suffering.  Technically speaking, a panic disorder includes “panic attacks,” while “anxiety disorders” are those where anxiety is a common symptom or feature.  Panic may be described as more intense than anxiety, although anxiety may last a longer period of time.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety may begin mildly and continue to intensify over time, bringing with it additional discomfort as you find yourself worrying more and more.  The symptoms can be similar to those of a panic attack, but they don’t tend to come and go quickly like a panic attack would; rather you may find that the anxiety lasts or grows over an extended period of time.  Having anxiety and panic disorder explained will typically include reference to the following (or a similar) list of symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Pounding heart
• Irritability
• Increased startle response

What Is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are a major feature of panic disorder, and while they differ from person to person, there are several symptoms that can help to identify them.  These symptoms are very intense and generally last for ten minutes or less.  Experiencing four or more of the following symptoms at once may indicate that you are suffering from a panic attack:

• Pounding heart
• Shaking or trembling
• Sweating
• Chills or hot flashes
• Fear of dying
• Fear of going crazy
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Feeling of choking
• Derealization (feeling of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from yourself)
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Paresthesias (numbness or tingling)
• Dizziness, light headedness, or faintness

The Repercussions of Anxiety and Panic Disorder

A little anxiety is to be expected in life and can even be a blessing.  It helps us to avoid dangerous situations, for example.  Even panic is natural, as it is what helps kick our body into the “fight or flight” mode that has protected animal species since the beginning of time.  Feelings of anxiety and panic are not pleasant, nor should they be.  They’re meant to keep us safe and motivated to stay out of harm’s way.

Unfortunately, when you feel a disproportionate amount of panic or anxiety, it can start to take a major toll, both physically and mentally.  Those experiencing panic attacks, for example, may begin to connect those attacks with certain events or situations, causing them to eventually avoid the things they have (often incorrectly) determined trigger an attack.  Someone who has a panic attack with driving, for instance, may explain the attack as a response to driving and then develop an intense fear or even a phobia that prevents them from getting behind the wheel in the future.

The outcome of this fear can be a full-fledged phobia or other anxiety disorder, and it can take a significant toll on a sufferer’s life.  Ability to travel, go out in public, interact with others, and even to leave the house can all be diminished, taking with them your ability to work, spend time with loved ones, or do the things you have always enjoyed.  As the anxiety or panic disorder grows, you will likely find that your world itself seems to shrink.  Instead of settling for this type of experience, it’s better to get generalized anxiety and panic disorder explained thoroughly

Top 6 Most Common Types of Anxiety Disorders Explained...

According to some statistics, as many as 18% of the American population suffers from at least one of the six most common types of anxiety disorders.  These disorders are related to fear that exhibits itself in a manner that is far greater than what one would expect in a given situation.  There are a number of ways that these disorders can manifest, but the most common anxiety disorders among adults tend to be generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and separation anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This most common anxiety disorder is known as generalized anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as “chronic anxiety disorder.”  In these situations, the anxiety one feels is not necessarily triggered by a particular cause, such as an object or situation.  The excessive worry they feel is generally caused by any number of everyday things such as health, money, relationships, jobs, and death.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is experienced when the disproportionate amount of anxiety felt manifests as brief, intense periods of fear.  These “panic attacks” are recognized because of the symptoms that commonly appear during an attack (shaking, confusion, nausea, shortness of breath, racing heart, and others), with attacks peaking in about ten minutes or less.  Because the experience is so uncomfortable, those experiencing panic disorder will often make major changes to their daily lives to avoid future attacks.

Phobias

Phobias are perhaps the best recognized of the most common anxiety disorders.  A phobia is an intense irrational fear that can develop when someone has such anxiety regarding an object or situation that he or she goes to great lengths to avoid the stimulus.  A diagnosis is made when the fear and/or avoidance is so strong that it affects the individual’s daily life.  A phobia can be a conditioned response caused by a traumatic event and can also be the result of observing another person’s negative reaction to the stimulus.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Also called “social phobia,” social anxiety disorder includes an intense fear of social interaction.  Individuals suffering from this anxiety disorder are often excessively afraid of being embarrassed in public.  Unfortunately, those afflicted with social anxiety disorder often experience physical symptoms that increase their embarrassment.  Some of the most common symptoms include trouble speaking, blushing, and sweating; all of which can make the sufferer feel even more self conscious.  Similar to those with many of the other most common anxiety disorders, individuals with social anxiety disorder discover that it impedes their daily functioning as they find ways to avoid situations they fear will trigger their fear.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is recognized by its two primary factors: intrusive, persistent thoughts and compulsions to minimize the anxiety caused by those thoughts.  At some point, the affected individual has created a cause-and-effect relationship in the mind when one does not exist in reality.  When an intrusive thought makes its way into the individual’s mind, he or she feels the compulsion to perform some sort of ritual to ward off whatever negative consequence has been associated with the thought.  For example, a sufferer may worry incessantly about becoming ill due to germs.  In order to avoid this outcome, he or she may engage in excessive, compulsive hand washing.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

While many of the most common anxiety disorders are the result of fear of things that have not actually come to pass, post-traumatic stress disorder is the result of trauma or extreme stress that the individual has witnessed or suffered during his or her lifetime.  Those who suffer from PTSD may experience symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance, depression, and hyper vigilance.

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a natural developmental stage in children, but when it is excessive or inappropriate, it is said that the person has an actual disorder.  The anxiety is triggered when the individual is separated from a particular person or place.  Once the separation reaction is bad enough that it actually impairs daily life, the disorder may require treatment.

Each of the types of disorders outlined here has its own repercussions, and treatment options may vary.  Both drug and psychological therapies have shown to have positive effects on the outcome of those suffering from the most common anxiety disorders, although patients will likely have to put extensive work into their own recovery.

Diagnosing the Problem

The people who need the most intervention when it comes to treating anxiety are those who have developed full-blown anxiety disorders.  Some of the most common might include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and separation anxiety.  When someone is ready to find relief from one of these disorders, he or she will likely turn to a doctor or therapist to learn how to treat anxiety in the most effective way.

The diagnosis itself will include speaking with a doctor or therapist about symptoms experienced and may include a written questionnaire and a physical examination.  The professional will be looking to see if you are experiencing a combination of the symptoms related to the different disorders.

A diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, for example, would typically come when the therapist sees that some or all of the following chronic anxiety symptoms are being experienced on an ongoing bases:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shaking
• Sweating and hot flashes
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Inability to relax
• Easily startled
• Insomnia

Many of these symptoms are indicative of other anxiety disorders, as well.

How to Treat Anxiety that Has Been Diagnosed

Once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor or therapist will work with you to figure out how to treat the anxiety.  There are various options with two of the most common being counseling and medication.  There are some other treatment options that are considered to be “alternative” or “complementary,” as well.

SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, and trifluoperazine are all prescription drugs that are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders.  Each works in a different way, and since a doctor can’t simply look in the brain and determine the cause of anxiety, it may take a few tries to figure out how proceed with any given person.  It will often be necessary to try different medications and different dosages until the right combination is found.

It is not unusual for a patient to be treated with both medication and therapy at the same time.  When deciding how to treat anxiety through therapy, there are several options.  One of the most promising is called cognitive behavioral therapy.  In CBT, the patient is very involved in his or her own recovery.  With the help of a therapist, patients learn how to reassess their own thinking patterns and to change their responses to given situations, objects, or other stimuli that trigger the anxiety.

As far as alternative or complementary therapies are concerned, there are any number of approaches that can be considered.  Some of these therapies include:

• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Breathing exercises
• Herbal medicine
• Hydrotherapy
• Hypnosis
• Physical exercise
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Relaxation response
• Vitamins and supplements
• Yoga

In determining how to treat anxiety, keep in mind that any of these therapies can be used together, and they can also be used in conjunction with the medical and therapeutic approaches discussed above.  You will likely find that many of these treatment options are focused on increasing relaxation, breathing, and the release of neurotransmitters within the brain.

Once you have decided how to treat anxiety, there are a couple of important things to keep in mind.  First of all, you may not feel results immediately.  This can be due to the fact that certain medications need time to build up in your system, that the therapy is not a quick fix, or that a different approach needs to be taken. Secondly, it is common that once you’ve discovered how to treat anxiety successfully, you may feel you no longer need treatment.  Unfortunately, this often leads to a recurrence of the anxiety, and it is therefore advisable to stick with the treatment plan until a professional feels you are ready to make a change.