Anxiety is a common feeling! Just about everyone suffers from anxiety at one time or the other. Everyone is afraid or fears something, while for some it could be public speaking that quickens their heart or just spending home alone at night for others. Yes, we all have felt anxious in varying degrees at one point or another. And, yet an anxiety disorder is different from plain anxiety. When a person suffers from chronic anxiety, he struggles to perform even the simplest of chores. So, what exactly causes anxiety disorders to develop in the first place and can it be treated? Read on to know more. 

According to a report published by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 40 million people in the US suffer from debilitating anxiety disorders that leave them crippled. Some who suffer from anxiety disorders also suffer from dizziness, nausea, weakness, difficulty, and palpitations of the heart. In some severe cases, the patient may also suffer from seizures. Most people with anxiety disorders try to avoid any social situation of gathering for fear of feeling embarrassed, humiliated and even being judged. In short, when feelings of anxiety and panic begin to take over one’s life and impede daily activities, they could be suffering from an anxiety disorder that they cannot control on their own. According to doctors who rely on mood tracker, anxiety is nothing but your body’s response to stress that it cannot handle. Listed below are a few tell-tale symptoms of an anxiety disorder:

•    Feeling restless, nervous, or tense without any apparent reason

•    Increased heartbeat

•    Hyperventilation

•    Trembling

•    Sweating

•    Feeling extremely weak or tired

•    Trouble in concentrating without worrying

•    Inability to sleep

•    Experiencing gastrointestinal issues

There are several types of anxiety disorders that one can face. Listed below are the most kinds of anxiety disorders that doctors treat. 

Agoraphobia – This is a kind of anxiety disorder wherein you tend to fear and avoid places or any situations that you presume can cause you a panic attack or make you feel entrapped, embarrassed, or helpless.

Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition – This sort of disorder is caused due to a medical condition. In such cases, the symptoms of panic and intense anxiety are directly caused due to a physical ailment.  

GAD - Generalized anxiety disorder is caused due to excessive anxiety that persists due to worry about events and activities – including routine chores. The worry intensifies out of proportion and can get difficult to control. It can also affect how you feel physically and often occurs alongside other anxiety disorders and/or depression.

Panic disorder – This involves recurrent episodes of sudden and uncontrolled feelings of intense anxiety, fear or even terror that can escalate within merely a few minutes. You may experience an overwhelming feeling of impending doom or even chest pain accompanied by palpitations. These attacks could also cause you from worrying about a repeat attack and force you to avoid any situations that may have triggered the first attack.

Selective mutism – Some children suffer from this condition wherein they are unable to speak in certain situations such as at school. This can impede their performance in school as well as social functioning.  

Social anxiety disorder – This is a social phobia where a person experiences very high levels of anxiety and fear and ultimately levitates towards the avoidance of social situations due to the fear of being judged and feelings of embarrassment, aside from the fear of being viewed negatively by others.

Anxiety disorder is like any other disease and can have adverse effects on our normal functioning. These kinds of disorders are forged and develop as a result of years of unpleasant experiences. In fact, any experience that you may have had can lead to an anxiety attack or disorder. And, though anxiety disorder is a common condition may battle with, it is still hard for doctors to pinpoint the specific causes that lead to it. However, studies do suggest that anxiety disorders can be genetic. These disorders tend to develop from a complex set of risk factors that include personality, brain chemistry, and life events. 

Anxiety disorders are forged over years of experiences. In fact, any experience you’ve ever had can cause an anxiety disorder. Though these disorders are common, the specific causes of this mental condition are still unknown. What research does show, though, is that anxiety disorders appear to run in families. However, as is the case with many mental illnesses, researchers are of the belief that anxiety is caused by more than just mere genetics. Anxiety disorders develop from a rather complex set of risk factors such as personality, brain chemistry, and life events. Studies that have delved into the tracking app also point out that the environment of a person can cause the person’s body to respond to situations that are overwhelming via anxiety.  These conditions force the body to respond to changes by triggering anxiety. Certain rare tumors too can trigger the production of a certain fight or flight hormones that can, in turn, lead to anxiety attacks. 

In short,  we can conclude that anxiety disorders are extremely complex and it can be hard to find the precise reasons why a person suffers from anxiety attacks. Listed below are a few effects to watch out for:

•    Sleep disturbances

•    Difficulty carrying out daily chores

•    Strained relationships

•    Inability to do things quickly or accurately

•    Loss of motivation

•    Suicidal thoughts 

Thankfully, you do not have to suffer from anxiety on your own. Reach out to a doctor if you think you suffer from anxiety and he will be able to diagnose your condition using an app which tracks your mood and will counsel you aside from giving you medication.