Anxiety - Mental Health Disorders
Anxiety
A fashion model is so frightened of performing in front of an audience that she cancels a lucrative contract. A famous professional football player is haunted by a fear of snakes. A biologist refuses a prestigious award because of the overwhelming anxiety he feels in any group. A popular singer becomes paralyzed with terror before every performance. These people all suffer from anxiety, a state of apprehension and psychic tension which is common in many mental disorders.
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Excessive unrealistic worries. Typically these worries are widespread, not just focused on one or two issues, and may persist for months.
- Physical tensions, which manifest as twitching or trembling, restlessness, or fatigue. The body shows signs of the “fight or flight” reaction: clammy hands; racing heartbeat or palpitations; shortness of breath or a sense of being smothered; dizziness or lightheadedness; stomach troubles such as nausea or diarrhea; hot flashes or chills; trouble swallowing.
- Edginess, over-vigilance, as though dreading something that is about to happen; easily irritated; trouble sleeping.
Anxiety takes many forms, the best known of which are generalized anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress, and panic attacks. Like physical pain, anxiety often functions as a warning sign that precedes some action. Everyone suffers from anxiety, and most people relieve their anxiety by taking rational, productive steps to diminish their worry. It's only when anxiety becomes chronic and prevents productive problem-solving, that problems arise. What sets anxiety problems apart from ordinary worries are their intensity and persistence.
People who suffer prolonged anxiety attacks often have histories of early loss or extreme stress. Physical factors such as anemia, diabetes, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, thyroid disorders, low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), pulmonary disease, endocrine tumors, and various heart problems may all contribute to feelings of anxiety. Drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, and caffeine can also contribute to anxiety.
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