Anxiety disorder
There are a host of conditions that fall within the category of Anxiety Disorders, including specific types of Phobias, Stress Disorders, Generalised Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I will be discussing Generalised Anxiety and Panic Attack.
Anxiety
The nature of Generalised Anxiety is marked by persistent and excessive anxiety and worry.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatry, Generalised Anxiety is characterised by the following features:
- Muscle Tension, aches or soreness
- Trembling
- Being shaky
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Exaggerated Startle reaction
- Distress as a result of worrying
- Inability to keep worrying thoughts at bay
I would like to emphasise that the above information is only a brief synopsis on anxiety. If you need to read more, please refer to other links. Please take my advice and refrain from self-diagnosis. Diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses is a very complex process and requires the appropriate expertise! If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from this illness, please consult your Doctor who could advise you accordingly and suggest the appropriate course of action.
Panic attack
Panic attack is a type of Anxiety Disorder. There are three distinguishing types of Panic Attacks as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Unexpected (no association with any triggers), situationally bound (association with internal or external trigger), and situationally predisposed (similar to situationally bound but may not always occur or after the fact). The main characteristic of Panic Attack is a distinct period of intense fear or discomfort in the absence of any real danger and is associated with the following Symptoms which can be somatic or cognitive in nature:
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath or smothering
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Trembling or shaking
- Nausea or abdominal discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Derealisation or depersonalisation
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of dying
- Paraesthesis
- Chills or hot flushes
I would like to emphasise that the above information is only a brief synopsis on Panic Attack. If you need to read more, please refer to other links. Please take my advice and refrain from self-diagnosis. Diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses is a very complex process and requires the appropriate expertise! If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from this illness, please consult your Doctor who could advise you accordingly and suggest the appropriate course of action.
