Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural part of being human. Everyone experiences moments of worry, nervousness, or unease, often in response to situations with uncertain outcomes. However, these feelings can sometimes arise without an obvious cause. While occasional anxiety is normal, excessive anxiety may suggest that something deeper is at play.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The most common form of anxiety, GAD involves persistent and excessive worry over various aspects of life, such as home, personal life, social status, and career goals, lasting for extended periods.
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Panic Disorder: Characterized by recurring panic attacks or sudden episodes of intense fear, panic disorder can occur unexpectedly or be triggered by specific events. Symptoms include a sense of impending doom, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.
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Phobia-Related Disorders: Phobias are extreme or irrational fears or aversions to specific things or situations. Phobia-related anxiety disorders share many symptoms with other anxiety disorders, such as GAD and panic disorder, including intense fear and avoidance behaviors.
Do I have a diagnosable Anxiety Disorder?
Experiencing occasional anxiety is different from living with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders involve persistent anxiety that can worsen over time. While symptoms vary, they all share the common impact of disrupting daily life, relationships, job performance, and academic or work responsibilities.
Common symptoms include:
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Restlessness
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Fatigue
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Irritability
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Persistent feelings of nervousness
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Trouble sleeping, including difficulty falling or staying asleep
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Problems with concentration