Description
Everyone feels anxiety now and again. It is a healthy, natural, reaction to situations requiring a heightened level of awareness and attention. Problems arise, however, when this short-term, acute, response becomes long-term, embedded in everyday life. Further, anxiety disorder may be a symptom of a larger problem that can be either physically or emotionally based.
An acute anxiety disorder is usually reflected in a panic attack -- an involuntary response where the body prepares to deal with an extreme situation such as an assault, an accident, or natural disaster. Adrenaline production increases in the body, which results in greater metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, to quickly make energy available to the body. This is a natural "fight or flight" response by the body, but in this case, triggered at the wrong time.
Long-term, or chronic, anxiety may not be as intense as its short-term equivalent, but can be more disruptive due to its underlying pervasiveness.
Symptoms and Signs:
Those who experience anxiety disorder are usually quite nervous, tense, and on edge. Their overall pace is frenetic and often erratic. Ability to focus is compromised and various "worries" tend to pile up the more they are thought about. Many acute sufferers do not wish to be alone or visit public places as they fear having a panic attack. Increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate accompany panic attacks.
Those with chronic anxiety feel a vague sense of anxiety most of the time. They may feel unease, especially around others, are started easily. Chronic sufferers also experience headaches and chronic fatigue and can suffer from occasional panic attacks.
Causes:
Our fast-paced, demanding lifestyle is a key ingredient to anxiety disorder. Countless demands and responsibilities require our attention, and quickly, before our ability to keep up becomes compromised. We worry about our jobs, cash flow, family, and friends, while trying to keep up with television programs, radio broadcasts, newspapers and magazines, the latest fashions, and the latest gizmos, while trying to balance with cooking, laundry, and house cleaning. If only we could split ourselves in half! Such compounding responsibilities easily lead to feelings of anxiety which can become long-term, resulting in a disorder, if not adequately dealt with.
Food allergies and hypoglycemia can also lead to anxiety disorder. This ailment may also be hereditary, as it seems to run in families. Further, some cases are linked to Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), a fairly benign heart condition (magnesium deficiency may be the common factor).
What to Expect:
The symptoms and signs above will continue and can escalate. Tense muscles and a faster heart rate are also to be expected. Also, problems seem to become that much greater as one becomes unable to deal with existing situations. Many people become fatigued as the additional emotional stress puts a physical strain on the body.
Fear of being alone or in a public place and having a panic attack only compounds feelings of anxiety, often making it self-induced.
Chemical imbalances in the brain can result in false messages being sent, resulting in hyperactive brain function. In turn, this causes heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rates to increase, exacerbating the chances of having a panic attack.
