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Anxiety - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS 

Introduction

Being occasionally anxious is a common component of being human. However, those who struggle with anxiety disorders frequently experience persistent, exaggerated fear and dread about everyday situations. Panic attacks, which are frequent repeating episodes of rapid, severe anxiety and fear or great terror that crescendo in minutes, are a common symptom of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety

These anxiety and panic symptoms interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are more severe than the actual threat, and last for long periods of time. You might avoid particular locations or circumstances to prevent feeling these emotions. Children or adolescents may experience symptoms that last until adulthood.

A collection of conditions known together as “anxiety disorders” include social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. 

There is a chance of having several anxiety disorders at once. An underlying medical problem that needs treatment might also occasionally be the cause of worry.

Table of Contents

    1. Symptom of anxiety
    2. How to Know When to Seek Medical Help
    3. Factors Increasing Risk

Symptoms of Anxiety

Common signs of anxiousness include:

  • A feeling of anxiety, restlessness, or tension
  • A sensation of impending danger, panic, or impending calamity
  • An elevated heart rate
  • Hyperventilation, or rapid breathing
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or tremors
  • Weakness or exhaustion sensations
  • Trouble focusing or paying attention to anything other than current concerns.
  • Sleep problems
  • Digestive (GI) problems
  • Issues with controlling excessive worry
  • The need to avoid events that make one anxious

There are numerous subtypes of anxiety disorders:

  • Agoraphobia, also known as fear of places or situations that can cause panic attacks or make one feel imprisoned, powerless, or embarrassed, is a type of anxiety disorder. Its hallmark is a fear of these places or situations, which is frequently accompanied by avoidance.
  • Extreme anxiety or panic symptoms that are directly linked to a physical health problem are symptoms of an anxiety disorder that is brought on by a medical condition.
  • The hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is constant, excessive worry. And dread about a variety of things, including everyday and regular things. This excessive worry is out of proportion to the situation, difficult to control, and shows itself as a bodily symptom. GAD frequently coexists with depression or other anxiety disorders.
  • Recurrent episodes of abrupt, severe anxiety, fear, or great terror that peak in minutes are known as panic attacks and are the hallmarks of panic disorder. These episodes may include heart palpitations, a feeling of breathing difficulty, chest pain, or a fast, fluttering, or hammering heartbeat are all signs of imminent tragedy. These panic episodes might cause people to worry constantly about them happening again or to avoid settings where they have already happened.
  • Selective mutism is the persistent inability of children to talk in certain settings, like at school, despite their capacity to do so in other contexts, like with their immediate family at home. This syndrome can impair social connections, vocational performance, and academic success.
  • Childhood illness, known as separation anxiety disorder, is characterized by excessive worry that outpaces the child's developmental stage and is typically triggered by being removed from parents or other people who play parental duties.
  • The symptoms of social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, include increased anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations brought on by feelings of humiliation, self-consciousness, and concern about being scrutinized or unfavorably judged by others.
  • When someone has a specific phobia, they will feel extremely anxious and have a strong urge to avoid the scenario or thing in question. These phobias can cause panic episodes in some people.
  • The symptoms of intense anxiety or panic directly brought on by abusing substances, taking medications, being exposed to toxins, or stopping using drugs are the hallmarks of substance-induced anxiety disorder.
  • The terms "other specified anxiety disorder" and "unspecified anxiety disorder" are used to describe types of anxiety or phobias that do not quite fit any of the other specialized anxiety disorders' diagnostic criteria but are nevertheless severe enough to be distressing and disruptive.

How to Know When to Seek Medical Help

It is advised to consult a medical professional if

  • You notice that your career, relationships, or other aspects of your life are being hampered by excessive concern.
  • It's difficult for you to control your distressing fear, anxiety, or concern.
  • You are dealing with problems connected in addition to your anxiety, to alcohol or drug abuse, depression, or other mental health issues.
  • You believe that there may be a link between your anxiety and an underlying physical health condition.
  • You are contemplating self-harm or are already acting in ways that might make you want to harm yourself; in any instance, you need urgent emergency help.

1. Underlying Elements

Anxiety disorders’ specific causes continue to be a little tricky. It appears that individuals who already have a tendency to anxiety may suffer anxiety disorders as a result of life events, particularly stressful ones. Inherent characteristics may also have a role in the emergence of certain illnesses.

2. Medical Foundations

An underlying medical problem may be connected to anxiety in certain people. In certain cases, anxiety symptoms act as the first warning signs of a medical condition. Your healthcare professional could suggest diagnostic testing to look into any underlying disorders if they have reason to believe that your worry may have a medical cause.

The following are examples of medical conditions that may be related to anxiety:

  • Heart illness
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid issues, including hyperthyroidism
  • Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are respiratory disorders.
  • Abuse or withdrawal from drugs
  • Giving up alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances that are used to treat anxiety
  • Irritable bowel syndrome or ongoing pain
  • Rare tumors that produce particular hormones associated with flight or fight.

On rare occasions, a negative drug reaction can manifest as anxiety. It’s possible that an underlying medical condition may be the cause of your anxiety if you find yourself in any of the following circumstances:

  • None of your blood relatives, such as parents or siblings, have a history of anxiety disorders.
  • You did not suffer from anxiety issues when you were a child.
  • You don't exhibit anxiety-related avoidance behaviors.
  • You have a sudden onset of anxiety that doesn't seem tied to life events, and you have never had anxiety before.

Factors Increasing Risk

Anxiety of Causes

There are several factors that could increase your risk of having a condition of anxiety:

  • Children who have been abused, traumatized, or observed horrific events are more likely to grow up with an anxiety disorder. Similar to children, adults who experience traumatic circumstances might develop anxiety problems.
  • Health-Related Stress: Dealing with a serious sickness or health condition can lead to significant worry, including concerns about future health and treatment.
  • Accumulated Stress: A significant life event or the accumulation of multiple minor stressful situations has the potential to cause increased anxiety. Examples include losing a family member, experiencing stress at work, or having chronic financial issues.
  • Personality: Some people are more prone to anxiety disorders than others due to certain personality factors.
  • Coexisting Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety disorders are frequently more likely to affect people who simultaneously have other mental health disorders, such as depression.
  • Family History: Because anxiety disorders often run in families, it might raise the risk that a person will also have one.
  • Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol, abusing them, or quitting them can cause anxiety or make it worse if it already exists.

Complications

Beyond simple worry, anxiety disorders can cause or worsen a number of other mental and physical conditions, such as:

  • Depression, often develops in conjunction with anxiety disorders or other mental health concerns.
  • Problem with substance abuse
  • Sleep disorder like insomnia
  • Bowel or gastrointestinal issues.
  • Constant pain and headache
  • Social withdrawal
  • Deteriorations in academic or professional performance.
  • Decline in life quality
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions.

Prevention

Even though it’s impossible to foresee with absolute accuracy what can lead to the emergence of an anxiety disorder, there are steps. If you already have symptoms, what can you do to minimize their severity? Have anxiety:

  • Seek prompt assistance: Anxiety, like many others If untreated, mental health difficulties might worsen. Making early intervention crucial.
  • Keep an Active Lifestyle: Take part in pursuits that make you happy and boost your self-confidence. Accept social interaction and nourishing relationships because they help allay your worries.
  • Avoid Using Substances: Avoid using alcohol or other drugs as they can either cause or increase anxiety. If you are having trouble with addiction, you might want to think about getting professional help from your doctor or joining a support group to speed up recovery.

Diagnosing anxiety involves a thorough assessment by a mental health professional, who evaluates symptoms, triggers, and their impact on daily life. This process often includes clinical interviews and may use standardized questionnaires to aid in diagnosis.

Anxiety treatment approaches vary but often encompass a combination of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and, in some cases, medication. CBT helps individuals identify and manage anxious thoughts and behaviors, promoting healthier coping strategies. Medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines may be prescribed in severe cases to alleviate symptoms.

Personalized treatment plans are crucial in addressing anxiety effectively, as they cater to individual needs and severity levels. Regular follow-ups and adjustments in the treatment plan are common to ensure ongoing progress and symptom management. Seeking professional help is essential for anyone grappling with anxiety, as early intervention can greatly improve the outcome and quality of life.