Q&A

Q1: What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks. This term is used for several disorders that may cause nervousness, stress, fear, worrying and uncomfortable or painful physical symptoms.

Q2: What causes anxiety?

Anxiety is caused when there is a desire to do or accomplish something, but accompanied by unease and unknown stress. Although, there are many other factors that can contribute to anxiety, such as stress, fear, phobia, environmental, genetics, medical, illness, brain chemistry, substance abuse, traumatic life event, poor nutrition, or a combination of these.

Q3: What triggers anxiety?

Anxiety is mostly triggered by stress from our environment. It can also be triggered by our attitude, e.g. negative outlook on life or excessive thinking or worrying.

Q4: What are the types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety is a term used to describe a variety of disorders. The common diagnosis are Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder (PD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Separation Anxiety Disorder and Phobia.

Q5: What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety can present a variety of physical symptoms in addition to non-physical symptoms such as stressing and excessive or unrealistic worrying. The most common physical symptoms are nausea, trembling, headache, backache, muscle tension, numbness in arms, hands or legs, shorten of breath, heart palpitations, difficulty speaking, vision impair, sweating and flushing, irritability, being easily startled, trouble concentrating, restlessness, easily tired, trouble falling or staying asleep, diarrhea and frequent urination. These symptoms may affect how we feel, think or behave. If the symptoms are left untreated our nervous system may be prone to hypersensitivity and damages may be long-term.

Q6: Why do we get physical symptoms?

Physical symptoms are a way for our body to tell us that we are not at ease. We must listen to what our body us telling us to realize that there is someone wrong. Our behaviour and thinking must change following these realizations in order to prevent them from reoccurring.

Q7: Is anxiety common or even normal?

Anxiety can easily be justified and is considered normal when following a traumatic event or an upcoming challenge. Sever anxiety is when a reaction is out of proportion in an expected situation, e.g. meeting up with a friend, and is often accompanied by mental or physical abnormal behaviours. This can be extremely debilitating and cause impairment in day-to-day life.

Q8: What are the available treatments/methods?

Anxiety is curable, and there are many ways to treat it, such as counseling, medical treatments and self-care.

Q9: How can we prevent or lessen symptoms?

There are various methods to prevent anxiety and depression symptoms, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy foods (preferably organic), maintaining a regular sleep pattern and and life-style, and seeking support after a disturbing event or experience. Symptoms can also be lessened by avoiding certain triggers, such as reducing caffeine and avoiding alcohol.

Q10: Can symptoms and panic attacks be controlled?

Yes. Aside from medical treatments, there are many methods and techniques that have been proven to help prevent, lessen or even stop symptoms or panic attacks from occurring.