Anxiety is a natural emotional response along with emotions such as joy, sadness, and fear. In particular, anxiety is a fundamental emotion that allows us to get out of the danger and crisis we face, so it can be said that it is directly related to the maintenance of life. However, if this anxiety is excessive, it can cause mental pain and physical symptoms. Anxiety disorder refers to a mental disorder in which the anxious mind becomes excessively large even in situations where there is no need to be anxious, which interferes with normal daily life. , and acute stress disorder.
As anxiety disorders are classified into several types, it is difficult to clearly define the causes of their occurrence. It is known that various factors, including genetic factors, abnormal secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, structural or functional abnormalities of the brain, and social psychology cause anxiety and have a great influence on the development. Anxiety disorder is said to be experienced by about 25% of the general population, and it is said that there are many cases that occur especially with depression. Statistically, it is reported that there are twice as many women as men. Now, let’s take a closer look at the main symptoms of anxiety disorder, as well as various information on treatment and management.
Main symptoms of anxiety disorder
The main symptoms that appear when an anxiety disorder occurs are excessive worrying over trifles, as well as sensitive nerves and a tendency to be surprised. In addition, there is a decrease in concentration and the mind is always surrounded by anxiety, which is accompanied by an anxious mind. In addition to these psychological symptoms, there are also various physical symptoms. Its representative symptoms include severe fatigue, chest palpitations, numbness in the hands and feet, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and distraction. In addition, sleep disturbance, insomnia, rapid breathing, feeling like something is caught in the throat, increased urination or discomfort in the lower abdomen, and abnormal symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are also major physical symptoms that appear when an anxiety disorder occurs.
This anxiety disorder may not cause any major problems when symptoms are not severe, but when the symptoms gradually worsen and become chronic, treatment may become more difficult. In particular, in the case of panic disorder, which is characterized by sudden fear, extreme anxiety, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sweating, and a sharp increase in heart rate, severe symptoms can cause serious problems that interfere with normal daily life. . In addition, the narrowed blood vessels due to extreme stress impair the flow of blood, which can increase the risk of various cardiovascular and chronic diseases. Therefore, if problems such as headache, severe fatigue, loss of concentration, sensitive mood, muscle tension and sleep disturbance persist for several months, it is possible to suspect the manifestation of these anxiety disorders, so early treatment It is important to go along with management methods for symptom relief.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Management
1. Treatment based on diagnosis and test results
Anxiety disorder is diagnosed accurately through the process of taking a medical history, asking and answering questions from a specialist, and accurately confirming the severity of the disease through an evaluation questionnaire. In addition, blood tests and brain imaging tests can be considered for differential confirmation of other neurological or internal medical diseases that cause anxiety. Anxiety disorders diagnosed in this way are classified into several types, so the treatment methods vary slightly, and are usually treated through various treatment methods such as drug therapy, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. In the case of drug treatment, antidepressants such as selective serotonin absorption inhibitors and anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines are prescribed for treatment. It is known that there is no dependence on antidepressants, but in the case of anti-anxiety drugs, if they are administered for more than 6 months, dependence occurs, so it is recommended to follow the instructions of a specialist. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy, which detects and treats thoughts, habits, and behaviors that cause more anxious feelings, is a major treatment method for treating anxiety disorder symptoms along with drug treatment.
2. Stress Control and Management
The important thing in the treatment and management of anxiety disorders is to have a habit of properly controlling and managing stress, which is a major factor that causes the occurrence and worsening of symptoms. It is important to help psychological relaxation and to manage stress appropriately by getting enough rest, regular exercise, and engaging in hobbies you like. It is also important to identify the root cause of extreme stress and make efforts to minimize and reduce it, as well as learn how to control and respond to exposure to anxiety factors.
3. Consistent intake of foods that help relieve stress
Anxiety disorders are caused by an excess or deficiency of neurotransmitters in the brain nerves such as serotonin, GABA, and norepinephrine. Green tea, bananas, avocados, walnuts, celery, broccoli, cabbage, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, blue-green fish, and dairy products, including jujube, help to produce various neurotransmitters as well as relieve anxiety and restlessness. It is said to help a lot in calming you down.
On the other hand, excessive consumption of coffee, energy drinks, and carbonated beverages containing caffeine can cause symptoms aggravation, so it is not recommended to consume too much. In addition, excessive drinking habits not only cause problems such as alcohol dependence, but also cause various chronic diseases and liver diseases, so it is recommended to limit it.
