Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Experiencing anxiety can cause worry, nervousness, or fear that may be difficult to manage. This particular mental health concern is prevalent across the nation.
Anxiety can affect individuals differently in terms of causes and symptoms. While some may have manageable mild anxiety with a customized treatment plan, others may face more challenging severe symptoms.
Living with anxiety can be challenging, but our team of knowledgeable online doctors are here to help. They will carefully listen to your symptoms and work with you to promptly find the most effective treatment options.
Anxiety symptoms
Experiencing various psychological and physical symptoms is common for those who suffer from anxiety. It is unnecessary to exhibit all symptoms to receive a diagnosis, as some individuals may only encounter one or two.
Experiencing anxiety can affect your daily life, such as constant worry, difficulty sleeping, chest discomfort, and reduced appetite. These symptoms can significantly impact your overall well-being and long-term health if left unaddressed.
Anxiety disorders
Various anxiety disorders, encompassing prevalent ones such as generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and phobias, exist. Below are descriptions of some of these common disorders:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This involves frequent concerns about everyday aspects of life. If a person experiences multiple anxiety symptoms, they might receive a GAD diagnosis.
2. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Individuals with BDD are preoccupied with their physical appearance and engage in compulsive behaviours related to their body.
3. Panic Disorder: This is characterized by a fear of experiencing panic attacks, which can be triggered without an apparent cause.
4. Phobias: Phobias entail an intense fear of specific situations or objects. For instance, agoraphobia involves fearing problems with no escape, while social phobia relates to anxiety in public settings. Other phobias might focus on entities like spiders (arachnophobia).
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Following a trauma, PTSD can lead to flashbacks or nightmares that recreate the traumatic event, causing heightened anxiety.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Those with OCD exhibit repetitive thoughts or behaviours that may be distressing.
7. Health Anxiety: This disorder involves persistent anxiety about being unwell.
8. Dermatillomania: Also termed a skin-picking disorder, this is characterized by an inability to cease touching, picking, or scratching the skin.
9. Trichotillomania: Also known as hair-pulling disorder, this refers to pulling out one's hair.
These descriptions cover a range of anxiety disorders, each with distinct features and manifestations.
Anxiety attacks
Experiencing anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, can be alarming and occur unexpectedly without any specific cause. Indicators that you may be having a panic attack include:
- A racing heart
- Feeling sweaty or getting chills
- Having the shakes
- Feeling sick
- Churning in your stomach
- A fear you’re dying, or a fear of dread
- Breathing difficulties
- Tingling in the hands and fingers
- Chest pains
- Dry mouth
- Feeling faint, weak or dizzy
It may be distressing, but there is no immediate danger during an attack. Typically, the symptoms will ease after lasting for a period of five to 20 minutes.
In the event of an attack, it is advised to concentrate on your breathing techniques, as they can aid in soothing your nerves.
If you struggle with anxiety attacks, our doctors can assist you in developing personalized coping methods. These techniques can be practised and utilized whenever you feel an attack coming on.
It is not typically necessary to visit the hospital following an attack. Still, it is recommended to consult with a doctor to identify the root cause if it has not yet been determined.
Health conditions that cause Anxiety
Your anxiety may be a symptom of an underlying health issue that needs treatment. It can even be an early indication of an undiagnosed illness.
Experiencing anxiety alongside other mental health conditions, such as depression, is common. If our doctors suspect this, they suggest the appropriate treatment or refer you to a specialist for more individualized assistance.
Medical conditions that can cause anxiety include:
- Diabetes
- Drug/alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- In very rare cases, tumours
- Heart disease
- Thyroid problems
- Respiratory disorders like COPD or asthma
- Chronic pain or IBS
Certain medications can also cause anxiety. Consult a doctor if you suspect this is the case.
Anxiety Treatment
Our medical professionals are available to talk with you about your emotions, which will aid them in identifying the root cause of your anxiousness and designing an appropriate course of action. You are not obligated to proceed at any particular pace, as they will accommodate your preferences and readiness.
There are various types of treatment, including therapy, medication, and a combination of the two.
Talking therapies
Discussing your anxiety with a medical professional can be beneficial. By identifying the root cause, you can begin to manage and overcome it.
If you are comfortable, you can attend self-help groups, or our doctors can refer you to a specialist to receive the required assistance. It's entirely up to you.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
If your doctor determines that you could benefit from CBT to cope with your anxiety symptoms, they may recommend you for treatment.
CBT aims to assist you in creating strategies to handle your symptoms as they arise effectively. It guides you in reshaping your thought patterns to regulate your symptoms more effectively.
Counselling is an additional form of verbal therapy that a medical professional might recommend. The approach will be tailored to your circumstances, ensuring that the treatment is personalized to your needs.
Anxiety during pregnancy
If you're a first-time mum, feeling anxiety during pregnancy is normal. Nonetheless, seeking medical attention is crucial if your symptoms are becoming unmanageable.
You can receive assistance from professionals who will guide you through your situation and recommend suitable treatments to ensure the well-being of you and your developing child.
Anxiety medication
The medical experts at Mobi Doctor can suggest medication to alleviate your anxiety levels. This might involve prescribing antidepressants, beta-blockers, or other suitable options. They will determine your appropriate medication and dosage based on your details.
Depending on the source of your anxiety, the doctor may decide to take a specific course of action. For instance, if a chemical imbalance in the brain causes your anxiety, they may prescribe medication to address this immediately.
If you feel overwhelmed by your anxiety, you must seek professional help. Our medical team can discuss your concerns and build a plan that works for you so you can start feeling better.
Diagnosis
Throughout your online consultation, our medical professionals will inquire about your current physical state and the duration of your symptoms.
You must provide truthful responses to all inquiries to ensure proper treatment. Rest assured that any information you disclose is kept confidential.
Our team of medical professionals will utilize the data you provide to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder and suggest the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
Causes
Identifying the causes of your anxiety is a crucial step, as everyone's experience varies. Anxiety triggers can range from numerous small factors to one significant reason.
Potential causes include:
- Your job
- Money issues
- Traumatic life events
- Your relationships
- Biological factors
It is possible to experience anxiety about the likelihood of having an anxiety attack.
Treatment
Our doctors will evaluate various factors, such as your medical history and symptom severity, to determine the optimal treatment for your condition.
Anxiety is typically treated with the following methods:
- Verbal counselling, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Medicinal treatment
- A fusion of both
Anxiety and depression often occur together. Our doctors can customize your treatment plan based on your symptoms.
Susceptibility
Anxiety can affect anyone and manifest for various reasons at different stages of life. For instance:
- Students might experience concerns regarding university exams, job search, and social expectations.
- Individuals under 35 could feel pressure to fulfil societal norms like advancing their careers, starting families, and owning homes.
- Middle-aged people might have anxiety about their children leaving home or fear missing opportunities for personal or career achievements. Menopause symptoms can also contribute to anxiety among certain women.
- Older individuals might feel anxious about retirement and disrupting their daily routines.
- Some people may experience unexplained anxiety, which is often the most challenging to identify.
Regardless of your situation, seeking confidential assistance is crucial, and you shouldn't endure it silently.
