Usually, anxiety fades away on its own, but if you feel anxious and scared, you may have an anxiety disorder. The Irvine anxiety specialists at Americas TMS Center offer cutting-edge treatments to help you deal with anxiety. Here is what you need to know about the disorder.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety refers to the excessive, persistent, intense worry about daily happenings. Anxiety is a natural way of your body responding to stressful life situations. But if these intense emotions prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities or carrying out your tasks efficiently, you may need medical help. Anxiety disorders usually occur in repeated episodes of fear, terror, and intense anxiety, leading to panic attacks. These intense feelings may be challenging to control. Most symptoms of anxiety disorders often begin to manifest during childhood or adulthood.
How can you know that you have an anxiety disorder?
The following symptoms may be a sign of an anxiety disorder:
- Trembling
- Difficulty sleeping at night
- Recurring gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Profuse sweating
- Feeling restless or nervous
- Unexplained weakness or fatigue
- Having an intense feeling of impending doom or danger
- Increased heart rate
- The constant urge to avoid situations that may trigger your anxiety
- Hyperventilation
- Difficulty concentrating on other things other than the present worry
What are the different forms of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety is in different categories, but they all have the common symptom of intense worry and fear. The cause of intense anxiety, but a genetic predisposition and extreme can contribute to severe anxiety. The different types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder
Generalized anxiety refers to the persistent, exaggerated fear about some aspects of your life that are out of your control or simple tasks such as making a cup of coffee. This disorder can negatively affect several aspects of your life, like work and social relationships. Panic disorders, on the other hand, refer to the frequent panic attacks that cause extreme terror and inability to act.
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
PTSD is a disorder due to the inability to get over witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. You may have constant flashbacks or nightmares that heighten your anxiety or fear.
- OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and phobias
OCD is a disorder that involves repetitive sensations or thoughts that lead to compulsions that may interfere with your life. Phobias are extreme fears of harmless objects that rarely cause any threats.
What are the available treatments for anxiety?
During your appointment at Americas TMS Center, the team helps you make some lifestyle adjustments, including regular exercise and avoiding situations that may cause stress. They can also prescribe antidepressants or anxiolytic drugs to alleviate your symptoms. The experts may also recommend low antipsychotic and anticonvulsant medications for anxiety. The team also offers CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to reduce stress. In severe cases, the specialists may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation, a procedure involving adjusting your brain function to manage your anxiety.
If your anxiety makes your life miserable, call the Americas TMS Center or make an online appointment for a consultation.