Are you suffering from anxiety?

Stressful times and lives is bound to give rise to anxiety. But what exactly is it? What are its causes? To what extent is it normal? How to cope with it? When should you seek help? Experts give you the low-down on it.

What is it?
An anxiety disorder is characterised by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear and discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal disorder. People with anxiety are often restless, listless and have a host of negative beliefs about themselves. Their coping resources to deal with crisis and normal disturbances is exhausted. They often feel helpless, explains clinical psychologist and author Seema Hingorrany

Quite a common thing today
Anxiety is becoming quite common today among all ages and sexes. Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr Anjali Chhabria says that anxiety exists solely in a few and as a symptoms long with other concerns in others such as mood disorders, personality disorders, sexual disorders and eating disorders. Certain people are more prone to anxiety either due to hormonal changes, genetic make up or others events or stressful situations in life. Hingorrany encounters at least fi ve patients daily suffering from anxiety disorder. This disorder is not gender specific -- women, men and even children these days suffer from high anxiety. The age group she sees ranges anywhere between six to 74 years.

People in showbiz are more prone to it
Recently, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma admitted that she suffers from anxiety and is taking treatment for it. Since anxiety is quite common amongst the common
folk, what about individuals in glamorous world? After all, the pressures that they have to deal with are much different and higher. “It is seen more in film/show business as it an industry which endures instability and insecurity. There is no predictability or ready made formulas to success and failure here. Too much pressure and expectations from people and creating ‘right impressions’. To add to it are hectic working hours and erratic lifestyles. Also it is industry which demands ‘performance’ constantly. Performance in itself causes anxiety before and after any event, movie, interview or projects. All these dynamics make it a rather anxiety provoking industry. The fear to lose it all induces fear,” explains psychologist Mansi Hasan.

Causes
Hingorrany lists the following reasons:
- Genes
Specific genes that play a role in anxiety and fear. Anxiety disorder seems to run in families. But evidence suggests that the hereditary component of this condition is due at least in part to anxious behaviour learned from other family members.
- Fear responses
Some research suggests that a structure in the brain called the amygdala may play a role in controlling the fear response. People who have an overactive amygdala may have a heightened fear response, causing increased anxiety in many situations.
- Environment
Children who have negative experiences like teasing, bullying, rejection, ridicule or humiliation may be more prone to social anxiety disorder. In addition, other negative events in life, such as severe family conflict or sexual abuse, may be associated with anxiety disorder.
- Biochemistry
Researchers are exploring the idea that natural chemicals in your body may play a role in social anxiety disorder. For instance, an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin could be a factor. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate mood and emotions, among other things. People with anxiety disorder may be extra-sensitive to the effects of serotonin. The National Institute of Health suggests vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Coping with anxiety
Therapeutic strategies can be effective in reducing symptoms. Hingorrany says that the techniques used include cognitive restructuring, to help people turn their anxious thoughts, interpretations and predictions into thoughts which are more rational. People with anxiety disorder, for instance, can benefi t from breathing exercises, which shows them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they’re feeling anxious. Therapy protocol like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy has proved to be beneficial.

There's still reluctance to seek help
People are aware and open now says Hasan however, she adds that they are still reluctant to seek help unless it gets out of control, in most cases. The main reason is the reluctance to acknowledge that they need help, which makes them feel vulnerable and guarded to seek professional help. Most people feel they will be perceived as ‘weak’ if they extend themselves towards professional help.

When should you seek help?
Anxiety is common in our stressful life thus it’s important for an individual to stop and understand when anxiety is crossing a level which is becoming harmful for the individuals mental, emotional and physical health, opines Dr Chhabria. When one cannot do his/her daily functions, makes excuses to skip work, has disturbed sleep and eating patterns, begins to isolate them self socially, looks to alcohol medicines or smoking to reduce stress one must consult a professional soon, she advises.