What Causes Anxiety Disorder?
Initially, it can start in the mind. A big life-threatening incident or several small stressful events over time can turn into a total Anxiety Disorder. Be reminded that we’re not talking about normal work stress. That can be a good thing. Anxiety Disorder is when our body gets into a defensive condition and releases Norepinephrine as a ‘fight or flight’ response.
Is Anxiety a Mental Illness?
That’s what we thought in the beginning. Although mental conditions or illnesses can be triggers, Anxiety Disorder is very much a medical condition. It’s a physical problem caused by hormonal imbalances in the body.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?
There are both good anxiety and bad anxiety. When you are excited about a vacation or a trip, we can call it good anxiety. There is a completely different chemical release for good anxiety: Dopamine and Oxytocin. Both of these can make you feel excited, warm, hopeful, and in love. Bad anxiety is caused by Norepinephrine. It makes you defensive and makes you want to shut down. The following are the possible symptoms associated with bad anxiety:
- Sweaty palms
- Elevated Heart Rate
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Shaking
- Shivering
- Flop sweat
- Blurr Vision
- Loss of Appetite
- Insomnia
What are the 6 Types of Anxiety Disorders?
The 6 Types of Anxiety Disorders are as follows:
- General Anxiety Disorder (GAD): It is a kind of disorder where a person is anxious about almost everything in life- the food, the environment, the weather. They are constantly in a defensive mode, and can’t do things like normal people. The cause of GAD can vary, but commonly seen when people were physically or emotionally abused as children.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Most commonly seen in war veterans after a life-threatening incident. Even after a war or service, soldiers continue to experience it. It can be triggered by a gathering of people, road accidents, and loud noises such as a tire blow out.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): SAD is simply the fear of people or people’s opinions. Patients suffering from SAD are afraid of what other people are thinking about their attire, appearance, or even achievements. They are severely nervous in gatherings and parties.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is a type of disorder where the patient feels the need to do a certain thing repeatedly. If he or she can’t do it, they show symptoms of a nervous breakdown.
- Panic Disorder: It is a feeling of terror when there is not an actual danger. Patients suffering from this can experience severe anxiety and fear in a regular day when there is nothing to worry about. Panic Disorder is one of the severe forms of Anxiety Disorder and must be treated immediately before the patient hurts him/herself.
- Phobias: Phobias manifest as a person is afraid of certain things. The most commonly known Phobias are heights, closed space, insects, darkness, etc. They can be mild to serious and would need attention if exposed to the thing he/she is afraid of.
How Long Can Anxiety Last?
There is no general rule of thumb on Anxiety. As we have mentioned before, normal stress is a good thing, but an episode or an Anxiety Attack can last from a few minutes to several hours. It’s all about stopping the Norepinephrine levels in the brain.
And for a patient, it can be a lifetime of struggle. However, therapies help a lot. It helps identify the trigger and can be managed from there. Most psychiatrists don’t really try to get rid of it. It is an exercise on accepting that the trigger will always be there, but there is nothing to fear.
Can you Have Anxiety All day?
Yes, it is very possible. For patients with severe cases, until they take some form of Benzodiazepine, the episode can last the whole day until the patient can manage to fall asleep.
Can Anxiety go away by itself?
It is very possible. Just as it started in a big life-threatening incident, it can be reversed in another big incident, and it can go away by itself. Curiously, a bigger life-threatening event can reverse Anxiety Disorder. It has been noticed, but not medically proven, so don’t try to create a bigger threat just to see what happens. It could worsen.
What Medications should I take for Anxiety?
It is a class of drugs called Benzodiazepine that treats anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Benzodiazepine acts on another Neurotransmitter called GABA (Gama-aminobutyric acid). GABA has a calming effect on the brain. It allows the brain to relax and the heart to rest. Benzos come in many forms and names. The following are a few examples:
- Xanax (Alprazolam): Available in 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg dosages.
- Valium (Diazepam): Available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg dosages.
- Rivotril (Clonazepam), Klonopin: It’s one of the most effective ones. Available in 2mg dosage.
- Ativan (Lorazepam): Available in 2mg dosage.
Related: How do Anti-Anxiety Medications Work
Does CBD oil help with Anxiety?
It is a study in progress. Cannabis effects vary from person to person. Some find it relaxing and some feel even more anxious after taking Cannabis Oil (CBD) so we don’t really know yet. But for those who find cannabis relaxing, it should work.
We all know that Cannabis puts the mind at ease, but it also makes a person vulnerable. In good company (with good friends), it may help relax the body and the mind. Yet, if a person suffering from Anxiety Disorder tries it alone and remembers the ‘Trigger’, it could put him/her in a really bad situation.
What are the Natural Ways to Deal with Anxiety?
Camomile tea and yoga are the two best methods to reduce anxiety. Camomile contains potassium and several other ingredients that help control muscles, especially the heart muscles and lungs. That’s why camomile tea has a rather relaxing effect on the body.
Yoga is for overall well-being. It is both a stimulating and relaxing exercise. An hour of yoga a day can save you from a lot of Anxiety Episodes. You may read our other article to learn more. It demonstrates the yoga exercises and positions that are particularly good for anxiety relief.
Related: Yoga for Anxiety Relief
What Happens if Anxiety is Untreated?
In time, if untreated, Anxiety can wear the body out. Increased heart rates can cause hypertension and high blood pressure. The constant release of mass-energy in the body can leave it weak and vulnerable to other diseases. It can also cause stroke and brain bleeding if the walls of the blood vessels in the brain weaken due to the constant high-pressure flow.
Is Anxiety a life-long Disorder?
It can be but doesn’t have to be. Medical science has come a long way. It’s very possible to get rid of it permanently with proper medications and therapy.
Does Anxiety Worsen with Age?
Not necessarily, but it is possible. It all depends on the triggers. However, there is a thing called ‘getting used to something’. Over time, our body and mind can get used to the triggers and can become less and less responsive. So with age, it can get even better.
What foods trigger Anxiety?
Foods that can get you excited can trigger anxiety. Heart-healthy meals are always safe. Food with high cholesterol can trigger anxiety. Alcohol and other substances can worsen your Anxiety Disorder.
What Fruits Are Good for Anxiety?
Basically, all, but apples, oranges, and grapes are found to be particularly good against anxiety. Red grapes are basically wine and can have a calming effect on the brain.
What Vitamins Are Good for Anxiety?
Except for Vitamin B12, almost all vitamins are good. The reason B12 is not good is that Vitamin B12 helps release energy, and Anxiety or Panic attacks are associated with a large release of energy due to the effect of Norepinephrine. You don’t wanna add to it.
Can I Take Any Over-the-counter Medication for Anxiety?
Unfortunately, there is none. No anxiety medications are over the counter. Therefore, you require a prescription. However, there are ways around it. You can always order your anxiety meds online. It is not ideal, but we know that people need their medications whether they have proper prescriptions or insurance. The trick is to find a reliable online pharmacy that provides quality medications.
the most commonly prescribed medication is Valium (Diazepam). You can learn where to buy Valium online safely here.
We hope this Anxiety FAQ answers the questions you have. However, we may have missed something. If you believe so, feel free to ask in the comment section below and we’ll try to answer them as soon as we can.
Answered all my questions regarding anxiety
Very cool.. I think it is a great article.
of course.