Have sympathy: The Science of anxiety disorders

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety by Doechii

Anxiety disorder is one of the most misconstrued disorders by people, even though more than 40 million adults (which is about 19.1% of the population) have it and about 7% of children between ages 3 and 17 experience anxiety issues every year, according to the NIH. Most people develop symptoms before they’re 21 (Relief Mental Health, 2024). Anxiety diagnoses are the most common mental health concern in the U.S.

Anxiety is not about getting nervous to meet your celebrity crush, or feeling nervous on your first date, or nervous for a test. Those, fortunately, are nerves, which are normal. However, anxiety is a condition in which a person has excessive worry and feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness (NIH, n.d.). These feelings may occur for no clear reason, and they tend to happen again and again. They may prevent you from coping with life. They may cause you great distress. You may then stay away from anything that sets off your fear. In extreme cases, you may never leave the house. (Northwestern Medicine, n.d.).

Some symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive thoughts that are unwanted and you can’t control

• Constant nightmares or painful thoughts of the past

• Upset stomach, sweating, and muscle tension

• Trouble sleeping

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

• Sweating

• Trembling

• Feeling weak or tired

• Having difficulty controlling worry

• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

All explained by Northwestern Medicine.

Types of Anxiety Disorders Include:

• Specific Phobia

• Panic Disorder

• Agoraphobia

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Selective Mutism

• Panic Disorder: This causes a very strong fear of being in danger.

• Phobias: These are extreme fears of certain things, places, or events.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): This makes you have unwanted thoughts and urges. You also may do certain things over and over.

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This occurs in people who have been through a terrible ordeal. It can cause nightmares and flashbacks about the event.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: This causes constant worry. It can greatly disrupt your life.

  
  

This is taken from the American Psychiatric Association.

The Science of Anxiety

Our brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate between nerve cells. For example:

• Serotonin helps regulate your mood.

• Norepinephrine is involved in your body’s “fight or flight” response.

• Dopamine is known for its role in pleasure and reward.

• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps calm your nervous system.

  
  

These chemicals play a big role in how you feel (Relief Mental Health, 2024). However, an imbalance of any of these chemicals can make you more prone to anxiety. They need to be balanced.

According to Relief Mental Health and numerous studies, it is found that people with anxiety disorders have an overactive amygdala. The amygdala is a specific part of our brain that helps manage fear and anxiety. It helps detect potential threats and triggers your body’s anxiety response. When the amygdala is too active, it can lead to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety.

Why Should We Have Sympathy for People with Anxiety Disorders?

Dealing with any mental disorder is extremely difficult. As a character in Ginny and Georgia says, mental disorders are like having your arm cut off, and it’s bleeding profusely, but no one sees the bleed — no one sees the severed arm — only you. Anxiety is like you fighting yourself, but no one sees it. It is constant worrying, fear, and uneasiness.

Being worrisome is not only for when something bad happens. For people with anxiety, they feel that every day. They also feel the constant “What if?” It is a life of fear, dread, and uneasiness.

We should have sympathy for people with anxiety because it is an extremely difficult disorder to have. Sadly, for some people, it is a result of childhood abuse or neglect, stressful life events, or trauma. It can also result from genetics, as disorders tend to be genetic. So, anxiety disorder is something they didn’t choose.

Treatment for Anxiety

Unfortunately, there are no current cures for anxiety disorder, but there are treatments to help relieve the stress of anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medicine. Some people with anxiety disorders use a combination of both to achieve the best results,it depends on the individual person.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, involves working with a therapist to reduce your anxiety symptoms. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also a form of psychotherapy and the most effective form for anxiety disorders. It focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities you’ve avoided because of anxiety.

Medications are also used to help relieve symptoms, depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have and whether you also have other mental or physical health issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some treatments for people with anxiety disorders:

• Certain antidepressants are used to treat anxiety disorders

• An anti-anxiety medication called buspirone may be prescribed

• In limited circumstances, your doctor may prescribe other types of medications, such as sedatives (also called benzodiazepines) or beta blockers. These medications are for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and are not intended to be used long term.

Talk with your doctor about the benefits, risks, and possible side effects of medications.

References

Relief Mental Health. (2024). The science of anxiety: Understanding the root cause & innovative treatments.https://reliefmh.com/blog/the-science-of-anxiety-understanding-the-root-cause-innovative-treatments/

National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Anxiety disorder. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/anxiety-disorder

American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What are anxiety disorders? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders

Northwestern Medicine. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders. https://encyclopedia.nm.org/Search/3,84925?_ga=2.19446968.1459550683.1587391903-336787040.1506542741