What Are Anxiety Attacks And Anxiety Disorders?
While it can be normal for people to occasionally feel nervous or anxious, Psychiatry.org distinguishes anxiety disorders from a usual range of emotions in that they involve experiencing an excess of fear or anxiety, often in a way that is disproportionate to the situation at hand. Anxiety disorders are mental disorders that can impact day-to-day life and can affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are also treatable.
An anxiety attack, while not recognized officially in the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (or DSM, for short), can be used colloquially to describe the physical symptoms of immense anxiety. This can include sweating, nausea, stomach issues, headaches, backaches, increased heart rate, fast breathing, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
What Is The Difference Between An Anxiety Attack And A Panic Attack?
While an anxiety attack and a panic attack can have similar symptoms, a panic attack is distinct in that it is categorized as being significantly more intense, and is recognized by the DSM as either an expected panic attack or an unexpected panic attack. While anxiety attacks can be triggered by an upsetting event or focus on unpleasant thoughts, unexpected panic attacks have the possibility of happening without an inciting emotional event. The physical pain is so great in a panic attack that it has been reported to be comparable to heart issues. A panic attack can last 5-20 minutes, typically peaking at 10 minutes. Phobias can be an anticipated cause of expected panic attacks.
What Are Several Common Anxiety Disorders?
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by a near-constant feeling of worry or even dread, to the point where it interferes with daily activities. Physical traits of this disorder can include issues with falling or staying asleep, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, or fatigue.
- If someone has recurring panic attacks, they may have Panic Disorder. People with PD also may experience a fear of experiencing another panic attack, to the extent that this fear negatively affects their day-to-day life.
- Phobic Disorder features a persistent and perhaps irrational fear, or phobia, that someone has difficulty overcoming. The phobia centers on a specific object, activity, or situation that may be generally harmless.
- People with Social Anxiety Disorder experience a continuous and intense fear that other people watch and judge them, and feel anxious that they may be rejected, looked down upon, embarrassed, or humiliated in social situations.
When Should I Seek Diagnosis And Treatment?
If you find that your feelings of fear, nervousness, or anxiety are impacting your relationships, performance at work or school, or your daily life, it may be time to seek support. Should you have an anxiety disorder, the proper diagnosis can result in an adequate, working combination of talk therapy and medication to relieve and reduce symptoms so they are much more manageable.
If you reside in California, Oregon, and New York seeking personalized psychiatric care, consider Dr. Cawkwell of PBC Psychiatry. Philip Cawkwell, MD offers a 100% virtual practice so that child, adolescent, and adult patients can all receive psychiatric care from the comfort of their own homes. If you want to request an appointment, fill out a brief consultation request to get started with PBC Psychiatry today!
