Mental Illnesses: Anxiety Disorders

Across the globe, hundreds of millions of people are afflicted with various types of mental disorders ever year. Depression, unfortunately, is seen to be the most prominent. This is a group of mental disorders causing constant fear and creating a sense of overwhelming anxiety. This can cause relationship strains and unnecessary tensions. There are 5 main kinds of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized anxiety disorder

2. Social anxiety disorder

3. Agoraphobia

4. Separation Anxiety

5. Panic disorder

Causes:

There are five main causes for anxiety disorder: genetics, environmental stress, brain chemistry, drug abuse or withdrawal symptoms, or preexisting medical conditions. Alterations in the genes can lead an individual to become more susceptible to these disorders. Environmental stress such as traumatic events or childhood abuse/neglect can also lead to anxiety disorder. This may also be

caused by a trigger leading to PTSD. Faulty neural circuits such as that of neurotransmitters dealing with maintenance of sadness and anxiety can also lead to anxiety disorder due to the imbalance of chemical release. Drug or substance abuse such as over consumption of alcohol can cause panic attacks, providing symptoms of a panic disorder (this is a variation of anxiety disorder). Withdrawal

symptoms can also lead to panic disorder. Preexisting medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (which is when the thyroid gland is overactive and underactive respectively) can either cause anxiety disorder or can amplify the conditions.

1) Generalized anxiety disorder

This is presented by an exaggerated signs of anxiousness typically caused by nothing serious. It begins to appear in everyday activities related to school or work, and slowly prevents the individual from accomplishing daily requirements. It progresses into constant concern of money, work, education, health, or family.

2) Social Anxiety disorder

This is the most common form of anxiety disorder, and is the simplest to understand. It presents uncomfortable situations when talking or socializing with other. To the extent that it makes you avoid all contact, from friends and family to strangers.

3) Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a fear of places that have potential to cause distress or panic. People with this fear generally find it hard to feel safe outside, especially in places with large crowds. This causes them to tense up, and they end up avoiding leaving from regions they think are safe. It also removes independence as someone agoraphobia is unable to go these places without the help of a third person, such as their friend or family.

4) Separation Anxiety

As stated in the name, this anxiety is related to panicking in the separation of a close one when they leave you sight. This is not permanent, yet people with this anxiety begin to panic. This is most prevalent in children of young ages who have developed object permanence.

5) Panic Disorder

This disorder is a subset of anxiety disorders and causes the person to experience panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of rage or panic which has no apparent cause. Individuals who experience panic attacks believe that they are having heart attacks, or other medical issues of concern. The attacks themselves are not life-threatening and can be easily treated, however diagnosis can be difficult as the patient can become persistent that they are vulnerable to a certain complication when they are not.

By: Srimaan Sridharan