Mental Health
Anxiety is a feeling of dread, fear, or distress. This can be from a real threat or one that exists in the mind.
A panic attack is a brief period of acute anxiety that comes on all of a sudden. It occurs when there is no real danger. It comes without warning.
Signs & Symptoms
* Rapid pulse and/or breathing rate. Racing or pounding heart.
* Dry mouth. Sweating. Trembling.
* Shortness of breath. Faintness.
* Numbness and tingling of the hands, feet, or other body part.
* Feeling of a “lump in the throat.”
* Stomach problems.
* Sleep problems.
Persons having a panic attack may rush to an emergency room. Why? They think they are having a heart attack. They feel like they are going crazy or going to die.
Persons who have repeated panic attacks begin to avoid places they link with past attacks. If the person had the panic attack in a grocery store and had to leave the store to feel safe, the person avoids going to the grocery store. This can lead to a phobia called agoraphobia.
Causes
Some anxiety is normal. It can alert you to seek safety from physical danger. Anxiety is not normal, though, when it overwhelms you and interferes with day-to-day life.
Anxiety can be a symptom of many conditions. These include:
* Having too much caffeine or a withdrawal reaction from nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, or medicines, such as sleeping pills.
* A side effect of some medicines.
* Low blood sugar.
* An overactive thyroid gland.
* Cushing’s Syndrome. With this, the glands above the kidneys called the adrenal glands, make too much of a hormone.
* A heart attack.
Anxiety can also be a symptom of an anxiety disorder. Examples are:
* Generalized anxiety disorder. With this, a person worries in excess about a variety of problems. This lasts for at least 6 months, even though there is little or nothing to cause the anxiety. The person has:
– A hard time relaxing and concentrating.
– Sleep problems.
– Physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, and sweating.
* Panic disorder. This can result when a person had 4 or more panic attacks in any 4 week period. It can also be present if the person has less than 4 panic attacks in 4 weeks, but fears having another one.
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). With this, a person has persistent, involuntary thoughts or images (obsessions). The person also does ritualistic acts, such as washing the hands, according to certain self-imposed rules (compulsions).
* Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
* Social anxiety disorder. With this, a person is extremely anxious and self-conscious in everyday social situations. He or she has an intense fear of being watched and judged by others.
* Specific phobias. These are irrational and very strong fears of something, such as snakes or flying in an airplane.
Treatment
Self-care measures can deal with anxiety that is mild and/or that does not interfere with daily living.
Treatment also includes:
* Treating any medical condition which causes anxiety or panic attacks.
* Medication.
* Counseling.
* Self-help groups for anxiety disorders.
Questions to Ask
Self-Care / Prevention
* Look for the cause of the stress that results in anxiety. Deal with it. Use stress management techniques. Do deep breathing exercises. Meditate.
* Lessen your exposure to things that cause you distress.
* Talk about your fears and anxieties with someone you trust, such as a friend, partner, teacher, etc.
* Exercise regularly (e.g., 30 minutes to 1 hour, 5 times a week).
* Eat healthy foods. Eat at regular times. Don’t skip meals.
* If you are prone to low blood sugar episodes, eat 5 to 6 small meals per day instead of 3 larger ones. Avoid sweets on a regular basis, but carry a source of sugar with you at all times, such as a small can of orange juice. This will give you a quick source of sugar in the event that you get a low blood sugar reaction.
* Limit or avoid caffeine intake after noon.
* Avoid nicotine and alcohol.
* Avoid medicines that stimulate. Examples are over-the-counter diet pills and pills to keep you awake.
* Do some form of relaxation exercise daily. Examples are meditation and deep breathing.
* Plan your schedule for what you can handle both physically and mentally.
* Rehearse for planned events that have made you feel anxious in the past or that you think will cause anxiety. Imagine yourself feeling calm and in control during the event. Do this several times before it really occurs.
* Face the fear. Accept it, don’t fight it. (This may need outside help.)
* Be prepared to deal with symptoms of anxiety. For example, if you have hyperventilated in the past, carry a paper bag with you. If you do hyperventilate, cover your mouth and nose with the paper bag. Breathe into the paper bag slowly and rebreathe the air. Do this in and out at least 10 times. Remove the bag and breathe normally a few minutes. Repeat breathing in and out of the paper bag as needed.
* Help others. The positive feelings from this can help relieve some of your anxiety.
* Read self-help books on anxiety, panic attacks, etc.
Resources
Anxiety and Depression Assoication of America
Mental Health America (MHA)
800.969.6642
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
