Anxiety Disorder

Overview

Anxiety disorder is a chronic condition that causes an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster. Some types of anxiety disorder include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, substance-induced anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder or specific phobias.

Signs and Symptoms

Fatigue, Restlessness, Irritability, Sense of impending doom, Difficulty concentrating, Sleep problems such as nightmares or insomnia, Muscle tension, Headaches, Stomachache, Rapid breathing, Rapid or irregular heartbeat, Excessive sweating, Trembling, Dry mouth, Diarrhea, Pins and needles, Sexual problems

Common Causes

Family history of anxiety disorders, Medical problems such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, or hyperthyroidism, Altered brain chemistry such as disruptions to electrical signals and hormones in the brain, Use of or withdrawal from recreational drug such as amphetamines and cocaine, Stress from relationship, work, school, financial issues or serious medical illness, Side effects of certain medications

Risk Factors

Stress from relationship, work, school, financial issues or serious medical illness, Side effects of certain medications, Family history of anxiety disorders, Medical problems such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, or hyperthyroidism, Recreational drug abuse such as amphetamines and cocaine, Trauma or witnessed traumatic events, Certain personality types, Other mental health issues such as depression

Investigation Techniques

Medical history and physical examination to look for signs of underlying medical condition and substance abuse, Psychological evaluation, Comparison of symptoms to criteria in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Blood tests including full blood count and thyroid function test

Treatment and Prevention

Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy, Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors Anxiolytics or hypnotics such as benzodiazepines, buspirone and beta blockers

Psychological Issues

Stress, Depression