Do You Suffer From Anxiety?
Here’s What the Doctors Say!
Anxiety is a common mental health problem. Examples of common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder (post-traumatic stress disorder), specific phobias, or separation anxiety disorder (SAD). You could also have several anxiety disorders simultaneously. Examples of anxiety disorders in children are sleep terrors, bedwetting, and school performance issues.
What is anxiety? Is it just a mental state?
Absolutely not. Because anxiety can cause physical problems like cardiac arrhythmia and heart disease. Children are particularly vulnerable to anxiety because they usually cannot communicate their fear. Anxiety disorders in children are very treatable; however, it is best that the child undergoes psychological treatment as well.
Why does anxiety cause physical symptoms? The physical symptoms of anxiety include trembling, sweating, muscle tension, faster breathing, hot flashes or hot flushes, heart palpitations, and stomach upset. Abnormal heart rate, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, and headaches are some of the other physical symptoms of anxiety disorders in children. If these physical symptoms persist for longer than 48 hours, a medical evaluation is needed.
Children with anxiety disorders are often misdiagnosed as having asthma, Type I diabetes, or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Children with these conditions are actually suffering from anxiety disorders. Asking your doctor for a correct medical diagnosis will help them provide the best treatment.
How do you know if you have anxiety?
There are several anxiety disorders in children including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Children with these conditions typically have anxious reactions to common situations. Some examples are having a hard time making it to the bathroom during public situations. Your doctor can help you determine which anxiety symptom you are experiencing.
Children with anxiety can also be misdiagnosed with ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). These two anxiety disorders are different than the generalized ones above. With ODD, you have behaviors like checking doors and making sure they are closed, constantly talking about germs or counting items and putting things in your mouth, and other similar behaviors. With obsessive-compulsive disorder, you are obsessed with specific phobias that make you avoid social situations that you are afraid will cause embarrassment or humiliation for you.
Anxiety can be scary
It can be hard to describe what it feels like. Some people experience the feeling of their heart racing or pounding in their chest at times. Others may experience a fast heartbeat and thoughts of dread racing through their minds as they experience panic attacks in public areas like restaurants, subways, or in their own home. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not be embarrassed and contact a doctor right away.
It is important to have your anxiety checked by a doctor. If you have any of these behaviors and you feel like you are having a panic attack, go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. Do not wait to see your doctor until you are home or when you have experienced another anxiety attack. Your doctor will need to do an assessment of your mental health and prescribe treatments for you to overcome your fear. Your doctor may also recommend other forms of treatment including medication.
There are many types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder or GAD is when you have excessive worries and are afraid of having another panic attack. This may include all types of fears such as: public speaking, driving on the freeway, or flying. Other types of anxiety disorders include: panic disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.
The Good News
The good news is that there are several ways to manage anxiety disorders. You should not have to live with these symptoms indefinitely. Your doctor will work with you to find the most effective treatment program for your specific needs. A mental health professional should be consulted if you have symptoms of any of the above-mentioned anxiety disorders or if you are experiencing symptoms of GAD.
If you experience anxiety and panic during certain situations, then you are likely dealing with social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder is very common and can be successfully treated. Treatment involves therapy and medications to help you feel better during those certain situations. When you go out into the world, your confidence can be greatly improved when you know you can handle different situations.
