An Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Imagine waking up in the morning with a heavy weight on your chest, dreading the day ahead for no apparent reason. Picture sitting in a meeting, feeling your heart race and your palms sweat, consumed by a fear that seems out of proportion to the situation. Living life feeling like everything's about to crumble soon – terrible news to befall you, an accident right around the corner, losing everything you've ever worked for.

That's what it's like to live in anxiety. And did you know that 3 million Australians have anxiety?3 million Australians have anxiety?

If you're reading this, you have probably experienced one or more of these situations. Or perhaps you're worried that someone you care about might be navigating these challenges. If that's the case, then it's best to consult a professional once you're done reading this article. You can book a consultation with a MeHelp expert, to discuss your anxieties.

In this article, we'll give you a detailed overview of what anxiety disorders are.

What is Anxiety Disorder?

To understand anxiety and anxiety disorders better, we need to first know the difference between the two.

"Anxiety refers to anticipation of a future concern. It typically shows up as muscle tension and avoidance behaviour. It's closely related to fear, which is a response to an immediate threat" says Dr. Daniel White, one of MeHelp's experts.

"Anxiety disorder on the other hand is a condition of excessive anxiety and worry that occurs more days than not, for at least 6 months. These emotions are usually tied to a number of events or activities such as work, school, or everyday life." Dr. White continues, when asked about the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorder.

To sum it up, anxiety disorders are more than just occasional worries or stress (anxiety). They're a complex web of feelings that can entangle every part of your life, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming. It's like living life walking with a shadow of fear and doubt always following you. Making you second guess everything. Putting you on high alert, feeling something bad's about to happen. Always expecting that everything will go wrong.

What are the types of Anxiety Disorders?

As we mentioned above, anxiety disorders are much more complex than worries. They're a prolonged condition wherein a person experiences anxieties on a regular basis. That being said, there are more than one type of anxiety disorder that people can experience. Here are the most prevalent anxiety disorders found among patients.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is characterised by persistent worry about almost every single thing in your life. Imagine living in a constant state of worry, where even the smallest uncertainties trigger a cascade of anxious thoughts. This is the reality for people with GAD.

They experience excessive worry about a wide range of topics, including work, health, family, and finances. Often, these worries aren't proportionate to the cause – over-exaggerating outcomes of certain events. The relentless nature of these worries can lead to physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Phobias

Phobias on the other hand are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Unlike common fears, phobias provoke an extreme reaction, often prompting individuals to go to great lengths to avoid their fears. This is why you encounter people who go hysterical (or even faint) when exposed to something they fear – like heights, flying on aeroplanes, and driving cars.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous in social situations. It's a deep-seated fear of judgement from other people or embarrassment. This results in avoidance of social situations. Imagine going to a party and feeling like everyone is staring at you, scrutinising your every move. This fear can be paralysing, leading some people to avoid social interactions altogether.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is characterised by sudden, intense episodes of fear known as panic attacks. These attacks can come out of nowhere, making you feel like you're having a heart attack or going crazy. One minute you're fine, and the next, you're gasping for air and clutching your chest. Although it might feel like a medical emergency caused by a physical ailment, it's actually a mental response to fear. This makes panic attacks incredibly frightening. Which may lead to a fear of having more attacks in the future.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is also known as shell shock and combat fatigue because of its close associations to soldiers coming home from war. But PTSD is not just experienced by veterans. Instead, anyone can experience PTSD after going through a traumatic event such as a car accident, physical assault, or natural disaster. This is especially true when they are not able to process their emotions (usually their grief) properly. Individuals with PTSD may experience intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and intense emotional distress related to the traumatic event. As a result, they might avoid similar situations, or events that are related to the traumatic event.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a disorder where people experience recurring intrusive thoughts, ideas, or sensations (obsessions). So to ease these obsessions, they develop repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). These compulsions act as a pacifier for them. Individuals with OCD engage in these compulsions to alleviate anxiety or prevent perceived harm. OCD can significantly interfere with various aspects of daily life, including work, relationships, and self-esteem. That's because they may spend hours each day performing rituals, which can disrupt daily routines, engagements, and activities. Additionally, OCD can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and isolation.

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

Although there are several types of anxiety disorders, most of them share common signs and symptoms. Recognising these signals can help you see whether you or your loved ones are experiencing some kind of anxiety disorder.

Unexplained body aches & pains

Physical symptoms like muscle tension, tightness, or soreness, especially in the neck, shoulders, or back, are common in anxiety disorder. That's because our body tenses up as a defensive mechanism. This puts a lot of strain on our muscles, making us feel achy and tired.

Experiencing panic attacks

Sudden and intense episodes of fear or panic, known as panic attacks, are common in anxiety disorder. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. These attacks usually happen out of the blue, but it can also be triggered by an event.

Constant stream of worried thoughts

Experiencing persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life is a common sign of anxiety disorder. This could include constant thoughts about work deadlines, financial struggles, health concerns, or relationship issues.

Unable to be still

Many individuals with anxiety disorder experience feelings of restlessness or a constant sense of being on edge. This could manifest as an inability to relax, feeling jittery or tense, or being easily startled.

Feeling irritable and agitated

One of the subtle behavioural signs of anxiety disorder is being constantly irritable. This comes from being in constant fight-or-flight mode, and excessive amounts of stress hormones in their blood. That's why even the smallest things can make them angry.

Always being tired

Feeling tired or exhausted all the time is a common symptom of anxiety disorder. The constant worry and stress can drain one's energy levels, leaving them feeling physically and emotionally depleted. Moreover, since anxiety disorder also triggers sleep disruption, they're unable to get a good night's sleep.

Brain fog, lack of focus, and cognitive difficulties

People experiencing anxiety disorders typically report a decline in cognitive functions. They tend to have trouble concentrating on tasks, remembering things, and coming up with new ideas. That's because anxiety tends to limit brain function.

Avoidance and isolation

People with anxiety disorder may avoid situations or places that trigger their anxiety, leading to social isolation.

What are the Causes of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders can stem from various factors, including biological, environmental, and psychological influences. Understanding these causes is essential for effective management and prevention.

Biological Factors

Biological factors, such as genetics and brain chemistry imbalances can play a significant role in the development of anxiety disorders. This is similar to how we inherit certain physical traits from our parents like the colour of our hair and eyes, the shape of our nose, or our height. It's also how certain medical conditions experienced by our parents and ancestors can be passed down to us.

For instance, research shows a strong genetic component in anxiety disorders. Hence, Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders are more likely to develop one themselves.

Moreover, some people might experience brain chemistry imbalances. This is when our systems have more stress hormones than relaxed and happy ones. This imbalance can increase anxiety levels in the brain.

Because of these biological factors we can see that anxiety disorders are just like any other physical injury and illness that we get.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can play a significant role in the development of anxiety disorders. Understanding these influences is crucial for identifying triggers and implementing effective interventions.

Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or the death of a loved one, can trigger the onset of anxiety disorders. A person who experienced childhood trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life.

Being constantly stressed can cause anxiety disorders. That's because it overwhelms our body's natural ability to cope with pressure. This explains why people in high-pressure environments like demanding workplaces or rigorous academic settings, where deadlines are tight and expectations are high tend to develop anxiety disorders.

Such high-pressure situations can lead to chronic stress. That's because the body remains in a heightened state of alertness, perpetually preparing to fight or flee.

Aside from high-pressure situations like workplaces and schools or universities, stress from personal relationships or financial difficulties can cause anxiety disorders. That's because stress from these situations tends to accumulate. Often leading to significant strain on one's mental well-being. Over time, being in a constant state of stress can disrupt the balance of stress hormones in the body. Making people more likely to develop anxiety disorders.

Another environmental trigger of anxiety is living in a chaotic neighbourhood. By being constantly exposed to loud noises, chaos, and even crime can heighten one's sense of vulnerability and helplessness. It also keeps people in a constant state of fight or flight.

Certain Personality Types

In addition, certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, high levels of sensitivity, or a tendency towards negative thinking, can increase vulnerability to anxiety. Individuals who strive for perfection in every aspect of their lives may experience heightened levels of stress and anxiety when faced with failure or criticism.

Who is at Risk of Anxiety Disorder?

Those who have experienced traumatic events in their life

Previous traumatic experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, accidents, or natural disasters, can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. For instance, someone who has experienced childhood trauma, like abuse or neglect, may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life.

Those who exposed in high-stress situations

Long-term exposure to stressful situations without adequate coping mechanisms can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. High-pressure environments, like demanding jobs, can contribute to chronic stress and exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

People who have relatives with anxiety

Having a close relative with an anxiety disorder increases the likelihood of developing one. Genetic predisposition can significantly influence an individual's susceptibility to anxiety. If a parent or sibling has experienced panic disorder, there's a higher chance of developing similar symptoms due to shared genetic factors.

Ultimately, all of us are at risk of developing anxiety disorders because all of us might experience extreme and traumatic events in our lives, or be placed in high-pressure situations. That's why it's important to always seek help whenever we feel like life gets overwhelming.

How are Anxiety Disorders Diagnosed?

Living with anxiety can be incredibly challenging. In fact, 1 in 4 Australians will experience anxiety disorder at least once in their life. But, despite its prevalence, anxiety disorders often remain undiagnosed and untreated. It's because of factors like – social stigma and fear of judgment, not having resources, underplaying the severity of their condition.

Diagnosing anxiety disorders typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, which may include:

Evaluating anxiety disorder symptoms

The journey to diagnosis begins with recognising the symptoms. Anxiety disorders can manifest in various ways, with symptoms differing based on the type of anxiety disorder. If you suspect you or someone you care about has anxiety, here are some common symptoms to look out for:

• Excessive worry or fear
• Restlessness or feeling on edge
• Fatigue or sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Panic attacks (for panic disorder)

Conducting a preliminary mental health screening

Many mental health professionals use screening tools to initially assess for anxiety. You can do an online preliminary test for anxiety, or you can go to your GP for an assessment. A GP's role is important because they can also rule out any physical health issues that might mimic anxiety symptoms. In such cases, a GP or a psychologist may use standardised questionnaires or self-assessment tools that may include questions about the frequency and intensity of anxiety symptoms, impact on daily life, and any physical manifestations.

Although it's not a formal diagnosis, the results of your screening can give you a good baseline on whether you need professional help for anxiety. Which leads us to the next step in diagnosing AD.

Conducting a detailed clinical assessment

A psychologist will conduct a comprehensive interview to understand your symptoms better. This clinical interview delves deeper into the nature of your symptoms, their onset, duration, and the context in which they occur. The psychologist will also explore your personal and family history of mental health issues, as well as any relevant life events that might have triggered the onset of symptoms.

It's important to remember that this assessment is not about judgment; it's about understanding your experiences so that the most effective treatment can be planned.

Evaluating the severity and the functional impact of your AD

Understanding the severity of your anxiety is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment approach. Psychologists use various assessment tools to gauge the intensity of your anxiety and its impact on your daily life. These assessments help in creating a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

Through all these steps, a psychologist can have a clear picture of your condition. From here, they're able to provide you with proper support and treatment.

What are the Treatments Available for Anxiety Disorders?

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, often known as talk therapy, is a cornerstone in treating anxiety disorders. It involves working with a trained mental health professional to understand and manage anxiety. A combination of different types of psychotherapy can be used to treat anxiety disorders.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the most widely used therapy for anxiety disorders. Research has shown it to be effective in treating panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behaviour patterns related to anxiety. Patients learn to recognise and alter harmful thought patterns and develop coping strategies to handle anxiety-inducing situations.

Exposure Therapy

This therapy is often used to treat phobias and OCD. It involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations or objects they fear, in a controlled and safe environment. The goal is to reduce fear and anxiety responses over time.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT teaches patients to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. It emphasises mindfulness and helps individuals commit to changing their behaviour.

Medication

While medication doesn't cure anxiety disorders, it can help manage symptoms. Common types of medications used include:

• Antidepressants: These are often the first line of treatment for anxiety disorders. They help regulate neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood and anxiety.
• Anti-anxiety medications (Benzodiazepines): These are fast-acting but typically used for short-term relief of acute symptoms due to the risk of dependence.
• Beta-blockers: While typically used for heart conditions, beta-blockers can help control certain physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid heartbeat.

Lifestyle Changes and Coping Strategies

Alongside professional treatment, certain lifestyle changes can help manage anxiety:

• Regular physical exercise
• A healthy diet
• Adequate sleep
• Reducing caffeine and alcohol
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

Takeaway

Anxiety disorders are far more common than many of us realise, affecting a significant portion of the population. Understanding these conditions, recognising the symptoms, and knowing when and how to seek help can be life-changing. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, we encourage you to reach out to a professional.

If you're experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, or you know someone who is, you can reach out to MeHelp Psychology for assistance.

If you require immediate assistance, Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support telephone service and suicide prevention services.