In the United States, it is estimated that 18% of the population is affected by anxiety. It is difficult to have accurate data because this pathology is often associated with other psychiatric illnesses such as depression. Anxiety can have different causes such as certain psychiatric illnesses (depression, schizophrenia ) or organic disorders (heart disease, respiratory disorders, hormonal disorders).
Anxiety can have different causes such as certain psychiatric illnesses (depression, schizophrenia ) or organic disorders (heart disease, respiratory disorders, hormonal disorders). The use of drugs can trigger anxiety disorders such as amphetamines. Drugs can also cause anxiety or anxiety attacks such as cannabis or cocaine.
The symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the severity. In advanced cases, symptoms may include palpitations, fear, sweat, constant danger, among others. Anxiety can lead to depression, addiction, and alcoholism.
The diagnosis is made by a doctor according to the patient’s history.
The therapy is based on two main axes, psychotherapy and/or taking anxiolytic drugs (tranquilizers).
Psychotherapy is highly recommended for most people with anxiety. This therapeutic method is based on repeated and regular interviews with a specialist (psychiatrist, psychologist). It helps to cure the cause, which is not the case of drug treatments.
Anxiolytics, medicines for anxiety, often belong to the benzodiazepine family. This class of drugs is very effective but can lead to high dependence, it is called benzodiazepine dependence. If anxiety is related to heart problems, the doctor may also prescribe nitroglycerin.
Medicinal plants can act as a sedative and be a complementary medicine very interesting, especially because it generates less dependence that anxiolytics. The main plants used are kawa-kawa, passionflower, valerian or lavender
An anxious person needs the support of those around him and most of the time, especially for serious cases, medical follow-up.
Definition
Anxiety is an emotional disorder, a feeling of intense insecurity, imminent danger.
Although anxiety exists in every human being, its intensity varies from person to person. Fear is above all a tool of urgency, warning and allows man to flee dangerous situations. Anxiety then becomes pathological as soon as its degree becomes disproportionate in relation to the situation, to external circumstances, and when the anxious person no longer controls his anguish.
Doctors also talk about Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) if anxiety is present most days of the week for at least 6 months.
Anxiety can be a sign of a pathology of nervous origin (depression). It can also be a symptom of organic diseases (cardiovascular or respiratory).
There are many drug specialties to treat anxiety. For mild disorders, natural remedies (homeopathy, herbal medicine) may be sufficient. In more pronounced cases, the patient should be treated with tranquilizers or even antidepressants. Medical monitoring is then strictly necessary and sometimes psychiatric treatment will be recommended.
Epidemiology
According to the US health website Webmd.com, anxiety disorders affect 18% of the population of the United States. It seems that in Europe, given the number of prescriptions for tranquilizers (benzodiazepine) for example, these figures are credible and certainly comparable.
Anxiety is the most common psychic illness. However, in psychiatry, the “drawer theory”: a person is depressed, schizophrenic, anxious, … is sometimes criticized, it is often a mixture of pathologies (anxiety and depressive for example) and that it is thus relatively difficult to obtain precise statistical figures. Doctors use these classifications mainly to communicate with each other or with insurers (for reimbursement), it is also useful to make a diagnosis.
Studies show that women have a higher risk of developing the disease throughout life compared to men. The reasons for this difference have not yet been elucidated, but it is assumed that genetic and hormonal factors are involved.
In Germany, about 15% of people suffer from anxiety or anxiety attacks, according to a statement from the Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg (in German Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg ) published early 2017.
Causes
Anxiety can come from severe shocks, following an accident, conflict or failure. Nowadays, because of the often stressful lifestyle, more and more people are suffering from anxiety.
Anxiety is a characteristic symptom of depressive states, neuroses (phobia, obsession), psychoses (delirium, schizophrenia).
Anxiety can also be caused by certain diseases such as heart conditions or disorders (including angina pectoris), respiratory failure (in asthma for example) or diabetes. For these patients, anxiety attacks can occur for example during major physical effort: brisk walking, climbing stairs, etc.
Abuse of certain drugs can also lead to anxiety attacks. This is particularly the case of amphetamines, barbiturates and anxiolytics (installation of a vicious circle). Drugs (cocaine, cannabis …) sometimes lead to anxiety or anxiety attacks.
Hormonal causes such as hyperthyroidism can also cause anxiety.
Genetics could also play a role in the development of anxiety and panic attacks or anxiety according to a German study of the Julius-Maximillian’s University of Würzburg (in German Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg ) published early 2017 in the specialized journal Molecular Psychiatry. Variants of the GLRB (glycine receptor B ) gene are thought to cause anxiety and panic attacks in some individuals, according to the findings of these German scientists.
People at risk
People who may be suffering from anxiety are:-
- People who suffered intense shocks: accident, conflict, attacks, failure.
- Women, the risk of suffering from anxiety is higher than that of men.
- People with cases of anxiety in the family (hereditary factor).
- People who have suffered abuse (trauma) during childhood.
- Depressed, neurotic or suffering from diseases such as schizophrenia.
- People suffering from cardiovascular diseases (with or without infarction).
- People with fragile respiratory system (asthma).
- People who abuse drugs of the exciting type (amphetamines).
- Other drugs whose use is abusive can also cause anxiety attacks: barbiturates, anxiolytics.
- People who consume a lot of alcohol or drugs
- Stressed people in their daily lives (work, private life).
SYMPTOMS
Anxiety can present several symptoms such as nervousness, a feeling of helplessness or the vague feeling of imminent danger.
Anxiety can also take the form of physical manifestations (palpitations with increased heart rate, sweating or sweating, feeling of suffocation, rapid breathing with hyperventilation, dizziness, tremors, nausea, loss of voice, syncope ).
In danger situation, the anxious person can either move in a confused way (walk in all directions) or remain petrified, frozen.
Angina pectoris results in anxiety, chest pain that can radiate in the shoulders and down the back.
The term anxiety is used to describe psychic disorders. Anxiety, on the contrary, will be used to describe somatic disorders. Thus, a person suffering from heart problems, will have an anxiety (angina pectoris).
When do the first symptoms of anxiety appear?
Anxiety can begin during childhood or adolescence and continue into adulthood. Anxiety can also appear directly in adulthood.
Diagnostic
The doctor will seek first and foremost the origin of the anxiety attacks.
If the anxiety comes from cardiovascular disorders, it will refer the patient to a specialist who will perform an electrocardiogram.
For respiratory disorders, the doctor will investigate the respiratory capacity of the patient using instruments of measurement of the breath (peak flow).
In anxiety of psychic origin, the doctor will, by anamnesis, ask questions to the patient, to identify the causes of anxiety attacks.
Complications (risks)
Anxiety can lead to depression or sometimes anxiety attacks.
An extremely anxious person may seek to eliminate his symptoms by the abuse of substances (alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, drugs). These substances will give him a state of well-being at the beginning, because of their strong relaxing effect. Unfortunately, their abuse causes addiction and amplification of their anxiety.
A strong feeling of anxiety, uncontrolled, can lead the patient to suicidal acts.
Treatments
There are mainly 2 therapies to treat anxiety, medication and psychotherapy.
Drugs
Medications to treat anxiety will be different depending on the origin of the seizures.
- During cardiovascular disorders, the doctor will prescribe nitroglycerin in the form of chewable capsules or spray.
- In case of asthma attacks, the patient should be treated with antiasthmatics (bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids to calm inflammation of the bronchi).
During anxiety of psychic origin, there is a range of drugs ranging from natural remedies to tranquillizers (benzodiazepine, …) and antidepressants .
Caution,
tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines should not be consumed for more than a month. It is estimated that in the majority of patients a serious dependence (a symptom of lack in particular) occurs 2 to 3 months after the start of a benzodiazepine treatment.
Natural remedies can be obtained without medical prescription but can only treat mild anxiety states.
In mild cases of anxiety, the doctor may prescribe tranquilizers (often benzodiazepines), betablockers or mild neuroleptics.
Among antidepressants, buspirone is often used in case of anxiety. It will however be necessary to wait several weeks after the beginning of the treatment before observing its effectiveness.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an often effective method to fight against anxiety, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy is a method of working on the cause, a function that is usually not fulfilled by drug therapy. The patient, with a therapist (eg psychiatrist), will work on his past, in order to cure his mental troubles or weaknesses. Several sessions are necessary to achieve a good result.
Anti-anxiety medicine
No doubt that such medicines are very helpful to reduce stress like Xanax. Now question is how long does xanax last in your blood to keep to relax? Just few hours, so this will help if you are stressed because of interview, exam or speech. Experts suggest us to cure our anxiety with natural herbs that you can find below.
Natural treatments (phototherapy)
The remedies listed here should only be used in mild cases of anxiety. They can be obtained without a medical prescription.
These are usually medications that can calm and stimulate mood.
- The kawa , in capsule or tablet form. Beware of side effects (especially in the liver). Ask a doctor for advice before starting this treatment.
- Passiflora , in capsule form or in herbal tea (see also: passionflower herbal tea and herbal tea based on passionflower, lemon balm and chamomile).
- Valerian , in capsule or tablet form.
- Lavender , in the form of herbal tea or capsule.
- Hops , in the form of capsules or tablets.
- Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) , in the form of herbal tea or capsule.
Good advice & Prevention
- An anxious person should not be left on their own. The support and support of those around him is essential. Speaking, confiding is a good prevention of anxious state.
- If mild anxiety can be treated by natural remedies, without the need for a medical prescription, it is important that the patient is aware of the limitations of these drugs and if necessary, is addressed to competent people: doctor, psychiatrist.
- Regular exercise is a good way to reduce stress, which also has a positive influence on the state of anxiety.
- Reduce or stop drinking coffee (and other caffeine-rich products). Caffeine can increase anxiety.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help if you suffer from this disease. Anxiety is a very common illness, do not be ashamed to turn to a doctor or other health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist
- Also try to limit your alcohol consumption and if possible stop smoking.
- Try to sleep well . Indeed, a restful sleep can be well rested and less stressed (a cause of anxiety).