Anxiety disorders are among the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders. They occur in approximately 15–20% of the general population. The core symptom of this condition is experiencing the emotion of anxiety. Anxiety states significantly reduce well-being and interfere with everyday functioning. Anxiety disorders occur more often in women than in men and most commonly appear between the ages of 24 and 40.
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders, also known as neurotic disorders, belong to a group of mental disorders in which the dominant symptom is the experience of anxiety. Anxiety is a state that occurs despite the lack of rational reasons explaining its appearance. People with anxiety disorders often expect that something bad will happen, but they are unable to specify exactly what they are afraid of. As a result, reactions that are inadequate to the situation may appear. This significantly interferes with everyday functioning and lowers mood. Anxiety disorders include phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Causes of anxiety disorders
The causes of anxiety disorders involve a combination of biological and psychological factors.
Biological factors
Research indicates that anxiety disorders may have a genetic basis. Patients whose family members previously experienced this condition have a higher likelihood of developing anxiety disorders.
Another factor contributing to anxiety disorders involves neurophysiological processes. Studies show that people experiencing anxiety states often have abnormalities in neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and dopamine. Low levels of GABA have also been observed. GABA is responsible for inhibiting physiological arousal. All these abnormalities contribute to the occurrence of excessive and inadequate responses to anxiety-provoking situations in people with anxiety disorders.
Psychological factors
Anxiety disorders may also result from past experiences, particularly those occurring in childhood. These may include experiencing violence, neglect, or excessive control by caregivers. Other factors that may contribute to anxiety disorders include severe stressful situations, traumatic experiences, and sudden changes in life circumstances.
Psychological symptoms of anxiety
The psychological symptoms of anxiety include, among others:
- a strong feeling of threat,
- excessive vigilance,
- sudden feelings of anxiety,
- irritability,
- memory disturbances,
- derealization and depersonalization,
- constant fatigue,
- sleep problems,
- a feeling that something bad is about to happen,
- difficulty focusing attention and problems with concentration.
Physical symptoms of anxiety
Physical symptoms of anxiety include, among others:
- trembling of the whole body,
- back pain and headaches,
- increased fatigue,
- shortness of breath,
- abdominal discomfort,
- excessive sweating,
- cold hands and feet,
- digestive system problems,
- frequent urination,
- cardiovascular symptoms such as heart palpitations,
- dry mouth and difficulty swallowing,
- skin redness or paleness,
- mutism (a physical inability to speak while maintaining the ability to understand speech).
Types of anxiety disorders
Due to the wide variety of symptoms and triggers for anxiety responses, anxiety disorders are divided into: specific phobias, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder without agoraphobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Specific phobias
This condition involves excessive and irrational fear of specific situations or objects. People experiencing these symptoms are usually aware that their fear is irrational. Specific phobias include fear of animals, fear related to the natural environment (e.g., dirt), situational phobias (fear of bridges or elevators), blood phobia, and other fears such as fear of death.
Social phobia
The main symptom of social phobia is fear of social situations. People with this type of phobia worry that their behavior may cause humiliation or embarrassment, which could trigger panic attacks. As a result, they often avoid situations involving interpersonal interaction.
Generalized anxiety disorder
This type of disorder occurs when the feeling of anxiety is generalized and persists for at least six months. People experiencing this condition feel constant worry, nervousness, and tension, which significantly interferes with everyday functioning.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety states in PTSD result from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. These events are relived through recurring intrusive thoughts, dreams, or the feeling of being back in the traumatic situation. Constantly reliving past experiences results in anxiety and emotional numbness.
Panic disorder without agoraphobia
Panic disorder without agoraphobia is a recurring condition characterized by panic attacks. These attacks are not triggered by specific objects or situations. They appear suddenly and unexpectedly and usually last from a few minutes to several minutes.
Panic disorder with agoraphobia
In this disorder, panic attacks are associated with fear of being in open spaces, crowds, or situations where (according to the individual’s subjective perception) help may not be available if needed. As a result, people with agoraphobia avoid situations and places where panic attacks have previously occurred.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
This disorder involves the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors). These behaviors arise from anxiety and serve as maladaptive ways of coping with constant tension and worry.
Online treatment of anxiety disorders
Online treatment is a form of support based on meetings conducted via the internet. It is an ideal way to provide psychological and psychiatric consultations for individuals who, for various reasons, feel reluctant to attend in-person meetings. Online treatment for anxiety disorders is an effective form of support comparable to traditional therapy.
In many cases, online treatment is the only available option, for example when a person experiences fear of leaving home. Treatment of anxiety disorders most often involves a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders
The most commonly used form of psychotherapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Its aim is to develop adaptive methods of coping with anxiety. During psychotherapy, patients learn to regulate emotions and recognize and redirect thoughts that may trigger anxiety reactions.
Additionally, anxiety disorders are often treated using exposure therapy, in which patients are repeatedly exposed to stimuli that trigger anxiety. This allows them to confront their fears and gradually process them in a conscious and controlled way.
Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders
In some cases, anxiety symptoms are so severe that pharmacological treatment is necessary in addition to psychotherapy. Benzodiazepines, which have a calming effect, are often used for acute panic attacks. Due to their high potential for addiction, they are intended only for short-term use.
Another group of medications used in the treatment of anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which effectively reduce symptoms in most types of anxiety disorders.