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ANXIETY

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety, known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), is a mental illness characterized by six or more months of chronic and exaggerated worry that either does not have a cause or is severely exaggerated in comparison to anxiety as a normal reaction. When a person has anxiety, they may feel anxious even when they have no reason to feel so.  

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety can manifest in many different ways. Some of the symptoms of anxiety are:​

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  • a sense of doom and foreboding that seems to come out of nowhere

  • excessive worrying

  • irritability

  • avoidance of tasks

  • chest pain

  • headache

  • tiredness

  • tight muscles

  • stomachaches

  • vomiting

  • hot flashes

  • panic attacks

    • a pounding heart

    • shortness of breath

    • dizziness

    • numbness

    • tingling feelings causes by overactivity of the body's normal fear response

How Does Anxiety Differ from Feeling Anxious?

Feeling anxious is a normal response that anyone can have to a situation that is either stressful or unpleasant. However, it is important to know the difference between feeling anxious and having anxiety as a mental illness. When a person feels anxious, they usually know why. When a person has anxiety, it can be sometimes be difficult to know what is causing them distress. Regular anxiety is a fleeting emotion, but the anxiety caused by GAD can last from weeks to months. When a person has GAD, they often manifest physical symptoms of their anxiety . The anxiety caused by GAD is excessive and intense in comparison to normal anxiety, often seeming disproportionate to the actual stress. When a person experiences anxiety as a regular emotion, it doesn't get in the way of their everyday life. The anxiety caused by GAD can make people want to avoid things and prevent them from living their daily lives.

What Are the Risk Factors and Signs of Anxiety?

Several risk factors can contribute to an increase in the chances of developing anxiety. Anxiety can have a genetic component that causes it to run in certain families. A person's brain chemistry, specifically relating to the expression of genes and the regulation of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers), can also put them at risk. A person can be prone to anxiety if they have an overactive flight or fight response too. The stress from traumatic life events can cause a person to develop anxiety as well. Anxiety can even be developed as a learned behavior from others or as a response to growing up in a dangerous environment.

How Is Anxiety Treated?

Anxiety can be treated in quite a few different ways, but the treatments are very similar to those used when treating depression.

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Taking anti anxiety medications (or even antidepressants) are a popular way to treat anxiety. 

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Talk therapy, specifically cognitive behavior therapy, can be used in addition to medication. During this type of treatment, patients learn how to think and act in situations that cause anxiety along with how to manage stress and develop positive coping skills.

How Can You Cope with Anxiety?

Anxiety can be hard to cope with but it is possible. Certain relaxation and breathing exercises can be used to calm oneself down. Regular exercise, good nutrition, appropriate sleep, and limitations to alcohol and caffeine helps as well. Taking a time out to do something you enjoy, or maybe even finding a new hobby, is effective too.

 

A lot of coping with anxiety entails controlling one's mindset, which can be very challenging to do. Remember to not aim for perfection because it does not exist. Try to accept that some things are above your control and therefore above worrying about. While it may be hard to remain positive, at least try to avoid further fueling negative thoughts. The use of humor is a great way to cope with anxiety as well.

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Parents/guardians can help their children cope with anxiety by paying attention to their child's feelings. It is important to stay calm when your child becomes anxious and to recognize and praise the small accomplishments they manage to make. Do not punish your child for mistakes or lack of progress when it comes to their anxiety and try to maintain a somewhat normal routine. You should also modify your expectations of your child during stressful periods for them.

References
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