Anxiety: what is it and how to treat it?

Anxiety is body’s natural response to stress. It is common to occur before an important meeting, performing in front of a crowd or prior to a trip abroad. It becomes a disorder when it starts to occur on everyday bases and is disturbing ones everyday life. Therefore most routine activities, such as going grocery shopping, using public transportation, or taking phone calls can be a struggle.

Up to 30% people experience anxiety at least once in their life, women are affected by the disorder twice as much as men. Anxiety has usually developed by the age of 25, however, it is most common among 15-35 year old people.

Anxiety in its origin is body’s way of preparing itself for a dangerous situation, it is part of the so-called fight or flight instinct which was necessary for survival back in the days. Common symptoms are heart pounding, high blood pressure, sweating and shaking. Nowadays, this kind of survival mechanism can cause trouble instead.

Not every case of anxiety has so obvious symptoms. Some forms of anxiety mean persistent worry thoughts that come from rational reasons such as money, relationships, and career, or from irrational reasons. Being constantly worried causes sleep disturbance, fatigue and loss of ability to work. Although scientist have not been able to find the exact cause for this disorder, both heredity and surrounding environment have its part.

Treatment

As there are different forms, so is anxiety also treated differently. The nature and cause of the disorder is diagnosed by a family physician who then can determine the treatment plan. This can mean seeing a psychologist or going to a cognitive behavioral therapy. In some cases, therapist prescribe antidepressants, sedatives, or sleeping pills.

Although it’s not often possible to be cured from anxiety disorder, it is possible to learn how to live with the disorder and be able raise the quality of life with the help of good specialists.

Read more what our psychologists have to say about anxiety.

Read more about what NHS has to say about anxiety types, symptoms, treatment, and more.