anxiety disorders and panic attacks (2023)

On this page:

• what is fear
• Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
• Types of Anxiety Disorders:
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • panic disorder
  • phobias
  • obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• What is a panic attack?
  • Tips for dealing with a panic attack
• Tips to help someone with an anxiety disorder
• When should I get help?
• treatment
• Stress and Mental Health Resources

what is fear

We've all felt anxiety at some point - the nervousness before a date, test, competition, presentation - but what exactly is it? Fear is our body's way of preparing for a challenge. Our heart pumps more blood and oxygen, so we are ready for action. We are more alert and perform physical and emotional tasks more efficiently. (See alsotest anxietyfor tips on handling tests.)

It's normal to feel anxious when our safety, health, or happiness is threatened; However, at times, anxiety can become overwhelming and disruptive, and can even occur for no apparent reason. Excessive, persistent bouts of worry may indicate an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders:

Anyone can experience these symptoms during stressful times. However, individuals with anxiety disorders may experience it without stress, with more severe symptoms, and/or with multiple symptoms occurring together.

• inability to relax
• Unrealistic or excessive worry
• difficulty falling asleep
• Fast pulse or pounding, jumping, racing heart
• nausea, chest pain or pressure
• Feel a lump in your throat
• Dry mouth
• Irregular breathing
• Feelings of fear, apprehension, or loss of control
• shaking or shaking, sweating or chills
• fainting or dizziness, feeling of detachment
• Thoughts of death

Types of Anxiety Disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)is characterized by chronic and excessive worry and tension, much more than the typical anxiety most people experience in their daily lives. People may have tremors, twitching, muscle tension, nausea, irritability, poor concentration, depression, tiredness, headache, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or hot flashes.

Panic disorder:People with panic disorder have panic attacks with feelings of anxiety that come on suddenly and repeatedly without warning. During attacks, people may feel like they can't breathe, lose control, have a heart attack, or even die. Physical symptoms may include chest pain, dizziness, nausea, sweating, tingling or numbness, and rapid heartbeat. Some people have an isolated attack, while others develop long-term panic disorder; In any case, there is often a great deal of anxiety between attacks because one cannot know when the next one will occur. Panic disorders often begin in early adulthood. Many people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia (abnormal fear of open or public places). See more onpanic attacks.

phobiasare irrational fears. Individuals with phobias recognize that their fears are irrational, but thinking about or confronting the feared object or situation can result in a panic attack or severe anxiety.

Phobias are often fears of a specific object or situation. Commonly feared objects and situations in specific phobias are animals, tunnels, water and heights. The most common specific phobia is the fear of public speaking.

social phobia or social anxiety disorder,is characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-esteem in everyday social situations. People with social phobia fear being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated by others. This fear can interfere with work or school and other usual activities.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)is characterized by uncontrollable anxious thoughts or behaviors. Individuals with OCD are plagued by persistent, unwanted thoughts and images, or by an urgent need to engage in certain rituals. Some OCD sufferers may only have obsessions without the rituals associated with them. The disturbing thoughts or images (e.g., fear of germs) are called obsessions, and the rituals used to try to get rid of them (e.g., washing hands) are called compulsions. For example, people obsessed with germs may wash their hands excessively. The individual is not happy to perform the ritualistic behaviors but finds that this is the only way to get temporary relief from the obsessive thoughts.

Post-traumatic stress disorderaffects people after terrible events such as physical or sexual abuse, car accidents, war or natural disasters. Individuals with PTSD may experience depression, flashbacks, nightmares, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggression, violence, and a feeling of detachment or numbness. Symptoms can be triggered by anything that reminds the person of their trauma.

What is a panic attack?

Panic attacks can be caused by heredity, chemical imbalances, stress, and the use of stimulants (such as caffeine or drugs).

Some people only have one or two attacks and are never bothered again. Panic attacks can occur with other psychiatric disorders. However, in panic disorder, the panic attacks return repeatedly and the person develops an intense fear of having another attack. Left unassisted, this "fear of fear" can cause people to avoid certain situations and interfere with their lives, even when they are not having a panic attack. Therefore, it is very important to identify the problem and seek help.

Tips for dealing with a panic attack

(Adapted from "Understanding Panic Disorders", National Institute of Health)

• Realize that while your symptoms are frightening, they are an exaggeration of normal stress responses and are not dangerous or harmful.
• Face the feelings instead of fighting them and they become less intense.
• Don't increase the panic by asking "What if?" Tell yourself "So what?"
• Stay in the present. Pay attention to what is actually happening, not what you think might happen.
• Rate your anxiety level on a scale of 1 to 10 and see how it changes. Note that it doesn't stay at a high level for more than a few seconds.
• Distract yourself with a simple task like counting backwards or lightly tying a rubber band around your wrist.
• When fear comes, expect it and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away.

Tips to help someone with an anxiety disorder:

• Don't make any guesses - ask the person what they need.
• Be predictable - don't surprise the person.
• Let the person with the disorder set the pace for recovery.
• Find something positive in every small step toward recovery.
• Don't help the person avoid their fears.
• Maintain your own life so you don't annoy the person with the disorder.
• Don't panic if the person with the disorder panics, but realize that caring for them is natural.
• Be patient and accept, but don't settle for the fact that the person concerned is permanently disabled.
• Say words of encouragement like, "You can do it no matter how you feel. I'm proud of you. tell me what you need now Breathe slowly and deeply. stay in the present It's not the place that bothers you, it's that.” thought. I know what you're feeling is painful, but it's not dangerous. You are brave."
• Avoid saying things like, "Don't worry. Let's see if you can do it. You can fight it. What shall we do next? Don't be ridiculous. you have to stay These phrases tend to blame the person for the fear.

When should I get help?

Some people believe that anxiety disorders can be overcome with willpower, but that's not likely. Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to depression, substance abuse, and a host of other problems. When excessive worry interrupts your normal routine, you should consult a professional.

Treatment:

If you or someone you know has symptoms of an anxiety disorder, see a doctor who can help you determine whether the symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder, a medical condition, or both. Often the next step in getting treatment for an anxiety disorder is referral to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor.

There are generally two types of treatment available, medication and psychotherapy (sometime called "talk therapy"). Both can be effective for most medical conditions. Choosing one, the other, or both depends on patient and doctor preference, as well as the anxiety disorder at hand.

For more informations:

SeeStress and Mental Health Resources

UHS Nursing Managercan give additional recommendations and recommendations