Anxiety

Everyone experiences some form of anxiety in their lives. Some people may feel apprehensive about work, while others are worried about an important assignment at school. In most cases though, the feelings of fear and restlessness do not last for very long. If the feelings linger on for months and grow stronger, these can influence your enjoyment of life and even grow to have a crippling effect on your daily activities.

Generally, anxiety is characterized by feelings of apprehension and worry. You may have difficulty breathing and your heart rate could become elevated. You live in a constant state of uncertainty, which prevents you from taking an active interest in your life and forces you into withdrawal. In some cases, the stress you experience may also make you feel extremely fatigued.

Besides general anxiety, there are several distinct anxiety disorders which may affect individuals. Some are also categorized as phobias.

Panic attacks are among the most common form of the condition, and are caused by a sudden onset of the symptoms under stressful conditions or when you are nervous. You may feel short of breath or feel like you are choking and have chest pain.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another form of the condition, and is especially prevalent among individuals who have experienced a trauma, either physical or emotional. The symptoms include re-experiencing the trauma over and over, sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, social withdrawal and even dissociative thinking.  This is seen in soldiers who have returned from the battlefield and people who have lived through a life-changing event such as a tornado or car crash. The condition may also be caused by a repeated use of drugs or exposure to a toxic substance or withdrawal from alcohol.

A combination of drugs and psychotherapy can be used to manage an anxiety disorder. Most medications aim at reducing the heart rate and alleviating the shortness of breath. Speaking to a psychologist can help you deal with traumatic experiences and gain more control over your condition.