What You Should Know About Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety refers to a chronic disorder characterized by excessive worrying for no apparent reason. People with this disorder tend to worry over money, work, family and everyday life events in general. The worrying can manifest itself in real physical symptoms, which can have severe consequences on the life of an individual, often affecting the way they function, feel, and behave. The worry a person feels is usually out of proportion and unrealistic for the specific situation.
Various factors cause the disorder, including environmental factors, medical factors, brain chemistry, genetics and substance abuse. Researchers believe individuals who have family members with the condition could have a genetic predisposition. Situations that are stressful, such as traumas, can easily trigger off the feelings and possibly make it worse. Heart conditions, stress from serious health problems, or even asthma are often associated with this chronic problem.
When neurotransmitters, which are like chemical messengers that transfer information from nerve cell to nerve cell, stop working properly, the communication network within the brain stops functioning correctly. This causes a person to react in an inappropriate way. When the way the brain reacts is altered it can lead anxiety.
Symptoms include ongoing tension and fear, irritability, muscles tension, headaches and restlessness. Many people also experience sweating, nausea, and trouble with concentration and focus. Often individuals who suffer from anxiety also suffer from other conditions, such phobias, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol to solve their problems.
It is vital that a medical health professional conducts a full evaluation to correctly diagnose the problem. Sometimes the evaluation might include certain questions about personal and family medical history, as well as a complete physical examination. All possible causes, including physical issues, have to be ruled out. The doctor will then assess the results and will make a diagnoses based on information obtained about the intensity of the symptoms and the duration. If the physical reactions and the degree of dysfunction are signs of anxiety disorder, then a treatment should be discussed.
Treatment can take place in a number of ways. Usually the doctor will prescribe medications and counseling for an individual, but it all depends on the severity of the case. Cognitive behavior therapy, which alters the thinking patterns linked with anxiety, is also recommended. Headaches, nausea and some of the other symptoms can easily be treated with medications.
When an individual has another mental illness that is linked to anxiety, such as depression, then medications like anti-depressants will be given. Many people are able to treat themselves using a variety of methods. Exercise, stress management techniques, meditation and yoga are just a few.
Any individual who suspects they suffer from anxiety disorder needs to contact a doctor as soon as they possibly can. It is essential to the health and well-being of the person to get a correct diagnosis and for the condition to be properly treated. A patient should get to know their disorder through research so that they are better equipped to handle situations.
Now you can find a wide selection of informative and interesting articles that will answer your concerns and questions today! If you are dealing with anxiety, you can take control and start living a healthier and happier life now!
By Sammy Dickerson on October 20, 2011


(This was copied in full from Eva-News.com I claim NO Rights to this, however I found the article to be pretty detailed in explaining the disorder and felt I should share it! To find out about my specific case you can read my posts "Dont Air your Dirty Laundry for the world to see"  as well as my Journey with my "treatment" on Lexapro in My Week 1 & 2 post as well as Week 3 & 4 post.)