The word ‘anxiety’ is often used in a very general sense: anyone who’s nervous or appears uptight may be classified as anxious. From a diagnostic perspective however, the term anxiety encompasses a number of separate, specific conditions, each of which is clinically recognized. Specifically, there are six major anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
One could make the argument that post-traumatic stress disorder is the most considerable of the anxiety disorders because it involves the literal reliving of a significant physical, or even life threatening, trauma. People with post-traumatic stress disorder are prone to having “flashbacks”, where they psychologically return to the place and time of their physical trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder is obviously a very significant condition.
Though it may not be as dramatic and unusual a condition as post-traumatic stress disorder is, generalized anxiety disorder is extremely disruptive in its own right. While the other major anxiety disorders present a specific focus for one’s agitated state, generalized anxiety is a constant, open-ended state of distress. In other words, where the phobic may worry about spiders, the person with generalized anxiety can become worked up over anything.
Generalized anxiety disorder is often a physically and emotionally exhausting condition to deal with, understandably so, as the sufferer may be in an almost constant state of aitation. The symptoms of generalized anxiety include feeling restless or jumpy; easily tired; irritable; muscle tension; fitful sleep patterns; and difficulty concentrating. Generalized anxiety can also put significant physical stress on the cardiovascular system through increased blood pressure, and a consistently rapid heart rate. For this reason alone, generalized anxiety disorder should be considered a serious condition.
People with generalized anxiety disorder may turn to alcohol to relieve their agitation. Obviously this sort of coping method holds the potential for abuse, and should be avoided lest it develop into a dependency. It’s also worth noting that symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder may be mimicked by the use of mood stimulants, either in the form of narcotics or even by using socially accepted stimulants like caffeine. The person who has symptoms of generalized anxiety should first consider their personal habits, and if they regularly use something that is a physical stimulant, they should stop using it.
For people who have generalized anxiety disorder that is certainly not brought on by the use of stimulants, treatment is available and should be sought. Not seeking treatment for generalized anxiety can lead to a worsening of symptoms which may bring on depression and other mood conditions, and, as previously stated, also presents a legitimate threat to physical health.
By Chas Oliver
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