Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common human emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, physical changes like increased blood pressure, and behaviors such as avoidance of situations that cause distress. People with anxiety disorders have excessive anxiety, fear, uncertainty, irritability and uneasiness that impacts their day-to-day lives.

There are several types of anxiety disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves persistent, excessive worry about everyday issues. People with GAD may have trouble focusing on tasks and making decisions due to their anxiety. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbances.


• Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear and avoidance of social situations due to feeling embarrassed, ashamed or judged. Physical symptoms like blushing and nausea often accompany the emotional distress.


• Panic disorder involves sudden, unexpected panic attacks marked by heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling and feelings of loss of control or impending doom. Many people with panic disorder develop agoraphobia, avoiding places where panic attacks have occurred.


• Other types include phobia-related disorders, separation anxiety, selective mutism and medication-induced anxiety.

The underlying causes of anxiety disorders are complex and varied, involving genetic predisposition, brain chemistry, environmental stressors and experiences. Research shows that imbalance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA in the brain play a key role.

If you struggle with overwhelming anxiety, reach out to a mental health professional. Counseling techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often help. Medications like SSRIs may provide relief of symptoms. Lifestyle changes to reduce stress can also make a difference. The caring medical team at Hormone Health Center specializes in individualized treatment plans to help patients alleviate anxiety through bioidentical hormones, nutrition and holistic health approaches. There is hope - with professional support, many people find healthy ways to manage anxiety and regain peace of mind.

Does this battle with anxiety sound familiar? What questions can I answer about achieving relief from distress, fear and panic? Let's continue the conversation in the comments below.