Anxiety is a part of everyday life as it has hit every individual at some point or the other. It is normal to feel anxious or nervous in response to stressful or fearful situations. But an anxiety disorder can be more debilitating as it goes beyond the expected nervousness & insignificant distress which an individual may experience at frequent intervals.
Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition that many people struggle with. An individual with anxiety disorder faces constant fear and stress, depriving their sleep leading to insomnia. It can also manifest as depression or another mood condition such as panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD).
Types of anxiety disorders and their causes
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Phobias
- Social phobia
- Agoraphobia
- Panic attack disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Symptoms may include feeling edgy or having a sense of panic differing from person to person; do any resonate with you? Learn more about each type and see if you’re experiencing any of them.
Generalised anxiety disorder
Feeling anxious is a normal response when you are under stress. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 6 million adults in the US each year, with symptoms ranging from feeling restlessness to an inability to sleep concerning future events.
For some people, a mere indication of stress is enough to make them feel anxious. This type of negative emotional looping can instantly turn out into a generalised and extraordinary state.
Phobia
A Phobia is an extreme fear of a specific entity or activity that usually does not harm an individual. It can also be termed situational anxiety. These severe anxieties cause distress for individuals that frightens them the most; public speaking is one example of this common disorder.
Social phobia
Social anxiety disorder is referred to as a social phobia. Many people suffer from ‘social anxiety’, which can range anywhere from mild nervousness to distressing fear, depending on how extreme their symptoms are.
However, even those experiencing small degrees of this condition need support to cope with the phobia triggered by life events, such as social interaction.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a rare type of anxiety disorder that causes your fears to keep you away from getting out into the world. People with agoraphobia realise their fears are irrational, but they’re unable to do anything about it.
Panic attack disorder
A panic disorder is when a sudden episode of intense fear triggers severe physical reactions without real danger or apparent cause. Although panic attacks are not life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life.
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a traumatic experience that can have a significant and long-lasting impact on an individual’s mental health. PTSD involves real or perceived feelings of threat, a mental health disorder that can occur after a traumatic event.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition that causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. A person with OCD might not know when they’re afraid, or it’s just an obsession. For instance, washing hands repeatedly while also experiencing fears such as contamination from things around you leads to obsessions about germs.
Anti-anxiety medications
People are suffering greatly from extreme anxiety, which inhibits their ability to lead a normal life. Medications are sometimes necessary to deal with the overwhelming mental health conditions like anxiety disorder.
Anti-anxiety medications like Benzodiazepines are considered as most effective in treating anxiety disorders, including panic attack disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.
Benzodiazepines are sedatives that can help calm your mind and relax your muscles. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters, which relay messages between brain cells to make you feel less anxious or stressed out when taken as directed.
Types of anti-anxiety medications
There are several types of medications available to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, the four major class of drugs for anxiety disorders are as follows-
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorder. The most common benzodiazepines to treat anxiety are Bromazepam, Temazepam, Oxazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, and Diazepam.
Lorazepam, Nitrazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam and Flurazepam are the types of benzodiazepines generally used to treat insomnia.
Soma for anxiety is also helpful in alleviating the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as tense muscles. It encourages relaxation & its effects take place within a few minutes of administration. Though the FDA does not approve this drug for anxiety, it has specific calming properties that can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Takeaway
To alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, individuals often prefer anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. The drug was approved for medical use by FDA in 1960.
Though the drug is found to be effective in treating anxiety disorders, it should be taken under the guidance of your healthcare associate. Getting help from a professional psychologist who specialises in such areas may help you combat your mental disorder.
