Anxiety is a normal, healthy reaction to stressful events that can prompt us into action to deal with a dangerous situation. It is one of the body's defense mechanisms. However, for many people, anxiety can occur at times when it is seemingly unnecessary. Anxiety can be prolonged and start to affect that person's daily life, making normal tasks daunting and difficult. When this happens, it is called an anxiety disorder. Panic attacks can sometimes accompany anxiety but are somewhat different. Panic attacks are acute events of momentary fear--an overwhelming feeling of dread that causes nausea, dizziness and the heart to race and palpitate. Someone who experiences this kind of episode regularly should seek medical attention.
Prevalence
According to the Anxiety Disorder Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States. It is estimated that 40 million American adults are affected. More than $42 billion are spent every year on medical bills. Anxiety and panic disorders often mimic the symptoms of physical illnesses.
Symptoms of Anxiety
A general feeling of anxiety, chronic worrying and stress is usually classified as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Usually, the worry that the person experiences is greater than the situation calls for. This can be anything from worrying about realistic issues, like the economy or a health problem, to more abstract worries, like irrational fear of a disaster. For people with intense GAD, they may not be able to function socially or be employed. Their fears and worries may prohibit them from enjoying things they used to enjoy. In most cases of GAD, the person is able to maintain a normal routine and work at his job, but certain situations may cause problems. GAD produces a myriad of physical symptoms as well. This can include fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, muscle tension and intestinal problems.
Symptoms of Panic
The symptoms of panic are more easily recognized, because they often occur unexpectedly, and the symptoms are usually severe and instant. These physical symptoms include dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations, tingling sensation, fear of dying, chest pain and shortness of breath. This is an overall terrifying experience when one has an intense feeling of dread that occurs all at once. Once the panic attack subsides, which is usually after only a few minutes, the symptoms usually rapidly decrease. However, after a panic attack, there is usually a residual anxiety and the fear that it will happen again. Sometimes, this fear is enough to trigger another attack. Panic attacks are often confused for serious medical conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
Cures for Anxiety
Usually, there is not a quick fix for the symptoms of anxiety. A lot of doctors believe that the best treatment is a combination of therapy and sometimes medication. There are a lot of depression and anxiety medications that can help take the edge off while the patient learns behavioral ways to reduce her anxiety. Activities like progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, diaphragmatic breathing and even hypnosis are great tools to learn in order to calm your nerves. Regular exercise and healthy eating with the avoidance of a lot of sugars and caffeine can help greatly.
Cures for Panic Attacks
The treatment for panic attacks is usually similar to that of generalized anxiety. Medications can be taken at the onset of an attack to lessen its intensity. It is usually not recommended to rely on medication alone to solve the problem. Learning the cause of the panic attacks and change the way your body deals with stress usually involves working with a psychiatrist or therapist.
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