FAQs About Anxiety
Anxiety is a condition where a person intensively, excessively and fearfully worries about their everyday life or situation. As a result, it could lead to certain physical and psychological changes in your body.
Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs about anxiety:
1. What causes or triggers anxiety?
There are various causes of anxiety disorders and the complexity also differs from person to person.
Some of the more common causes or triggers include:
Genetics
Medical factors and illness
Stress due to illness or stressful environment
Childhood abuse
Trauma/ PTSD
Learned behavior patterns
Other mental health disorders
2. What are five common types of anxiety?
It can be classified into 5 main types:
● Generalized Anxiety Disorder
It is an exaggerated form of anxiety and tension which is accompanied by physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, muscle tension and aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, etc.
● Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
This form of anxiety disorder causes fearful ideas and ritualistic behaviors which causes repetitive thoughts, or impulses that cause obsession.
Such obsessions cause stress for the person affected..
● Panic Disorder
Such disorders cause panic attacks due to the unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear which may also cause chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, etc.
● Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
A person suffering from this will usually feel overwhelmed, self-conscious or intimidated by social gatherings and socializing.
● POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
A person suffering from PTSD will experience heightened fear, sadness, worry and may also become delusional.
This is caused due to the exposure or experience of a traumatic event like war, accidents, death, etc.
Such triggers and symptoms could become so frequent that it could compromise a person’s normal daily body functions or activities.
Sleeplessness, Credit: Wallpaper Flare
3. What are the common symptoms?
They include:
Sleep problems
Tense or fatigue muscles
Avoidance or fear of socializing
Irrational thoughts or overthinking
Excessive worrying
Feelings of agitation or anxious
Fatigue
Concentration and alertness problems
Overeating or eating too less
Panic attacks: racing heart, feeling shaky, and shortness of breath.
4. Natural Treatments: How to manage and cope with anxiety?
These tips, if followed effectively and consistently, can help improve your anxiety.
They include:
Be optimistic but realistic
Face your fears or worries
Trust your moral compass and instincts
Turning to religious or spiritual practices
Seek and accept professional support
Reconnect with loved ones
Speak out your worries, don’t hold it in
Exercise regularly
Keep yourself busy to avoid overthinking
Try out mediation
Staying mentally sharp
Work on self care and self love
Find a passion or hobby
Consider music therapy
Breathing exercise, Credit: Pikist
5. Is breathing a good technique to help anxiety?
Yes, this technique works very well.
When a person is anxious or is undergoing an anxiety attack, their breathing pace increases significantly and they start over breathing.
This is bad for the body as this physiological response could increase heart rate and blood pressure. Thus, by practicing the breathing technique, it will help the person control their breathing pace which will consequently lower the heart rate and blood pressure back to its normal rate.
What to do: Inhale deeply and slowly until your stomach expands to the fullest and then exhale slowly until the belly completely contracts. Repeat this until you have noticed a change in your mood and pressure.
6. Do anxiety medications have side effects?
Some side-effects include:
Fatigue
Drowsiness
Headaches
Vision problems
Dizziness
Memory loss
Coordination and balancing problems
Problems with speech
an upset stomach
Side effect- Drowsiness, Credit: Pxfuel
7. What foods to avoid if you have anxiety?
They following food products should be avoided if you are suffering from anxiety:
Caffeine
Artificial sugar
Gluten
Fast food
Alcohol
Dairy
Fried food
Processed food
These products are avoided as they increase episodes of anxiety and the associated symptoms.
8. What diet helps anxiety?
A Healthy and balanced diet improves brain function and will help your body recover or heal faster. Moreover, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds and minerals can also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Such food products include:
Nuts
Fatty fish
Eggs
Pumpkin seed
Dark chocolate
Yogurt
Green tea
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