Anxiety - Types, Causes, And Treatment

Anxiety - Types, Causes, And Treatment

We all have felt anxiety at some time, whether we call it feeling uneasy or uptight. It is quite natural to feel anxious and, in fact, to some degree, it can have good effects such as toning us up for a big match or sharpening awareness for interview or exam.

But some types of anxiety is not as healthy as others. If you get mildly warm-up before an exam, that can be beneficial. However, if you cannot sleep well the night before, or begin to sweat profusely and feel nauseated as you enter the examination hall, this is a more serious anxiety attack and if you think that this is part of a continuing pattern, you should wrong.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Our response toward stress is a built-in survival mechanism that originally enabled us to act rapidly when our lives were threatened. To prepare for action, the heartbeat strengthens to pump blood to all the muscles, and blood pressure rises.

When the action has been taken and the danger is over or the problem resolved, the body relaxes and returns to normal once more. But when the threat is low-level and continuous as is common in the emotionally stressful situations of modern living, often no direct action can be taken to deal with it and the body will bear the effects of long-term anxiety. 

Secondary symptoms include skin rashes, spots, weight problems (under or overweight). Strangely enough, those suffering from anxiety can also experience either increased aggression or the reverse effect, becoming completely inhibited, withdrawn and even extremely depressed.

TYPES OF ANXIETY

Anxiety takes many forms. Some have obvious causes, as a fear of dogs in someone who was bitten or frightened by one as a child. Other types are not so clear and may include anxiety about a relationship which can make you sexually impotent or frigid. 

Occasionally the anxiety takes an unspecific form, such as sudden, unexplained panic on the way to the office or a sense of general hopelessness, about the state of the world (called 'angst').

CAUSES OF ANXIETY

There are two main theories about the causes of anxiety. The first holds that it is due to a personality disorder that makes our psychological defenses unable to work in the way they should. In other words, instead of recognizing the anxiety symptoms and dealing with them, the sufferer turns the symptoms into a pattern - one that is often self-destructive.

The second theory claims that there is a failure in some physical function, especially in the nervous system. This may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the body. Believers of this theory believe that these 'malfunctions' can be cured by effective and painless drug therapy.

Thirdly, some health professionals suggest that the causes of the problem are much simpler than either of these facts, is merely a result of modern life: the widespread loss of moral values and a response to conditions over which we no longer feel we have any control.

TREATMENT OF ANXIETY

It is possible to try and cope with anxiety on your own. The first thing to do is to recognize and accept the symptoms and try to discover and face the causes.

But, if this self-help process is not enough - and not even with the aid of family and friends - it is best for you to consult the doctor. The doctor may refer you to a psychotherapist who will help you discover and cope with the causes. This treatment may be done either in individual sessions or in the group of other anxiety sufferers.

Many doctors are suggesting alternative therapies, the purpose of most of them being to help you relax and gain greater self-awareness. These may include yoga, breathing exercises, biofeedback or even meditation.

Combating Anxiety with 4-7-8 breathing technique:

Peoples suffering from anxiety are on a continuous lookout for techniques that can help them combat the mental disorder and relax their minds. One such technique doing the rounds these days is the 4-7-8 breathing pattern.

Also known as the "relaxing breath", the 4-7-8 breathing technique involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. 

According to some proponents, this breathing technique helps in reducing anxiety and even helps people fall asleep within a minute. Even though there is little scientific evidence to support this breathing technique, a lot of people are turning to it for instant relief from anxiety symptoms and more relaxed sleep.

Supporters of this technique feel that it can help achieve the following:

• Better sleep
• Management of various types of yearnings and cravings
• Reduced or controlled anger responses
• Improved and gradually reduced anxiety symptoms

How to practice:

Prior to starting this breathing pattern, it is suggested that an individual gets into a relaxed sitting or lying down position. They should then touch the roof of their mouth, just behind the front teeth with the tip of their tongue. Once settled, the individual should follow the below-mentioned steps.

• Exhale the air out of the lungs so as to empty the lungs completely
• Inhale for a count of four seconds
• Grasp the breath for a count of seven seconds
• Exhale forcefully via the mouth for a count of eight seconds. While exhaling, the individual should make an "o" of their lips and make a "whoosh" sound.

An individual must follow this breathing technique twice a day to start noticing the benefits at the earliest. However, first-timers must refrain from exceeding four breath cycles at a stretch. Once the practitioner is comfortable with the technique, they can practice it for longer durations.

So, Anxiety is common in the modern world but if you ignore it this may lead to serious conditions. You must know the exact path to overcome this problem.