ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Anxiety disorder

What is anxiety disorder?

4 May 2021

Feeling anxious sporadically about life situations and events is normal, but when that anxiety becomes chronic and the reasons for worry and fear multiply, causing exaggerated reactions, we are talking about an anxiety disorder that can cause panic attacks before petty issues. 

The great intensity of these emotions hinder daily life, they do not allow us to carry out our usual activities and we lose control of what we feel and do when faced with them, reactions that, if left untreated, become more intense and long-lasting. 

This disorder affects people of any age and can remain throughout life in its different stages.

There are several types of anxiety, the most common being:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder.
  • Social anxiety disorder.
  • Separation anxiety disorder. 

Sometimes you may experience only one disorder, but depending on the case, several may occur at the same time. 

Its origin is unknown, but it is known that traumas and adverse events can trigger anxiety when there is already a predisposition to suffer from it. However, medical causes have been identified, such as suffering from diabetes, thyroid, cardiac and respiratory problems; tumors; drug addiction and alcoholism. It can also be caused by the intake of certain drugs. 

Signs and symptoms Anxiety disorder

  • Accelerated heart rate.
  • Hyperventilation.
  • Excess sweat.
  • Tiredness and weakness.
  • Inability to concentrate.
  • Insomnia.
  • Stress, nervousness, tension.
  • Tremors.
  • Intestinal alterations.
  • Out of control worries. 
  • Panic attack.

If you have any of these symptoms or have suicidal thoughts, it is important that you see a specialist immediately, since if you do not receive treatment, the symptoms will progressively worsen.

Diagnosis and treatment Anxiety disorder

If the symptoms are not very clear, your doctor can assess whether your anxiety is due to any physical cause or an underlying disease. If this is not the case, he or she can refer you to a psychologist or a mental health specialist to diagnose and treat you as soon as possible. 

The specialist will perform a psychological exam where he or she will analyze your mental state and will be able to detect any other condition that usually occurs along with anxiety, the most common of which is depression. 

Once the diagnosis is established, treatment will be prescribed, which usually includes psychological therapy and drugs. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been identified as the best way to treat anxiety disorder, as it helps you realize the origin of your anxiety, giving you techniques to control symptoms and prevent them from having too much influence on your daily activities. 

As for medications, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms through anxiolytics and antidepressants, which may have side effects that your doctor will consider and explain to you. 

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly professional and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Our mission is to provide you with comprehensive and multidisciplinary care programs for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of nervous system diseases, always focusing our activities on your safety.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Anxiety disorder

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cun.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Delgado RAC, Sánchez LJV. Miedo, fobias y sus tratamientos. Rev Elec Psic Izt. 2019;22(2):798-833.
  • Romero-Cerecero O, Islas-Garduño AL, Tortoriello-García J. Uso de plantas medicinales en pacientes con síntomas de ansiedad generalizada. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2019;57(6):364-370.
  • Solís MF, Saviñón TJA, Johnson RRO. Fobia social (Trastorno de ansiedad social): Aspectos clínicos y psicofarmacológicos. Rev Neurol Neurocir Psiquiat. 2003;36(2):85-90.
  • Marjan LPMP, Mendieta CD, Muñoz SMA, et al. Calidad de vida y discapacidad en el trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. Salud Mental. 2014;37(6):509-516.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.