What is anxiety? – is a question asked by many people trying to understand the difference between this illness and others. Today, we will discuss some of the most FAQs on anxiety.
Is Anxiety an Illness?
Is anxiety an illness and ailment? Could it be a disorder? Yes, anxiety is classed as all three, depending on which stage. There are signs of stress in severe cases that escalate out of control. These are signs of an anxiety disorder. For more information on how to treat anxiety, book a consultation with our functional medicine practitioners in Tulsa, OK, where we can look at your symptoms in more detail.
Anxiety gives sufferers a feeling of uneasiness. Almost everyone has experienced the discomfort of anxiety at some point in their lives. It can arise when faced with dilemmas and stressful situations, such as a job interview, sitting at an exam, or illness.
Stressful Situations
Another FAQ? Is it normal to feel anxious when faced with difficulty or something dangerous? Yes, everyone can suffer from bouts of anxiety. Anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations. Anxiety can improve performance in some instances.
However, in the UK, one in ten people who suffer from anxiety have severe anxiety that interferes with their daily lives. In the US, 18.1% of the adult population is affected by anxiety disorders.
Excessive Anxiety
Excessive anxiety is also associated with many other psychiatric conditions like depression. Stress is abnormal when the signs or symptoms hang around longer than necessary and to what degree it interferes with day-to-day activities.
If this happens, then anxiety is classed as an anxiety disorder. You would need to see a professional.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
You can identify the physical symptoms of anxiety based on how the brain sends signals to other parts of the body, preparing for a fight or flight reaction. The human brain releases stress hormones during these reactions, including adrenaline.
Common symptoms are abdominal discomfort, a fast heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, diarrhea, shortness of breath, dry mouth, tightness or pain in the chest, frequent urination, or finding it difficult to swallow.
Anxiety is often the culprit when a mental health problem is recognized, such as depression, alcohol abuse, or a personality disorder.
Signs To Look Out For
The signs to look out for when psychological anxiety is present are:
- The inability to concentrate
- Fear of madness
- Insomnia
- Irritability or anger
- A feeling of discomfort
- The loss of control of your actions.
We can look further into this during your consultation at our functional medicine center in Tulsa, OK.
Some types of anxiety are closely associated with physical illnesses, such as thyroid disorder. Gut imbalances can also increase anxiety. Neurotransmitters that support a calm, happy mood, such as serotonin, are made in the gut. You can look at the root causes of anxiety and eat healthy foods while practicing proper sleep habits and managing stress levels are critical elements in reducing anxiety.