Overview
A group of mental illnesses that cause constant fear and worry. Characterized by sudden feeling of worry, fear and restlesness.
Symptoms
If you’re experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.
Every person experience anxiety at some point of time in life, for example, during an examination or an interview. This lasts for a limited period. It is classified as an anxiety disorder when the symptoms are reoccurrent and last for longer time. Symptoms such as
- Restlessness
- A sudden feeling of panic and fear
- Uneasiness, nausea, or cramps
- Sleeprelated problems – excessive Sleep or sleeplessness
- Cold or sweaty hands or feet
- Numbness in the hands or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Dry mouth
- Hot flashes or chills
- Sudden trembling
- Dizziness
- Avoidance of situations that may cause fear
- Obsessions and compulsions
→ Common treatment options
→ How is this diagnosed?
Causes
The exact cause is not known. It could be the result of a combination of factors including:
- Changes in brain chemicals and its functioning
- Environmental stress
- Family history
- Traumatic life events such as an accident, divorce, death of a loved one, etc
- Other medical conditions including heart problems, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc
- Drug or alcohol abuse
→ Questions to ask your doctor
→ Interested to know more? Check out the full article here