Overcoming Anxiety: Causes And Treatments

It is still not known what causes anxiety disorders.   Many experts from different disciplines do not agree on whether the causes are genetical or behavioural.  Physiological researchers suspect a chemical imbalance in the brain is present in sufferers of anxiety attacks.   However, whether this chemical imbalance is the cause of the attacks or a result of them.   

A genetic pre-disposition has been noted, as anxiety orders have been found to run in families.  To the contrary this could be down to environmental reasons rather than genetic ones.  Behaviourists believe the condition stems from behaviours which have been learnt, psycho-analysts favour the view that the condition is as a result of unresolved issues in the past.  

What is certain is that every case is different, it could be a combination of some or all of the above the cases.   Anxiety attacks are very personal and unique to each sufferer.  Just as the symptoms are different, so are the causes and the treatment of anxiety.   An anxiety attacks disorder occurs when the attacks are frequent and disruptive of the persons life.   Anxiety attack disorders are thought to develop from previous anxiety attacks which have not been successfully managed.  

Panic attacks come around as the result of an accumulation of life stress or due to an extremely stressful life event.  Such events are most commonly the death of a loved one, major trauma or illness, pregnancy, childbirth, financial problems, job loss/unemployment or divorce.  Where an anxiety attack disorder is due to stress that has built up over a period of time, the first attack could seem to appear as if from nowhere, even whilst watching TV.   As there is no visible connection between the cause and result for this type of sufferer, an even greater fear of these unexpected panic attacks causes subsequent attacks.  

Panic attacks themselves can be part of another disorder.  For example, someone with asthma may have a panic attacks due to feelings of fear connected with breathlessness.   Anxiety attacks which are primary conditions must be resolved or they run the risk of turning into an anxiety disorder.  

We all feel some level of anxiety sometimes. It is, after all, a normal human emotion.  However, when this feeling of anxiety begins to disturb our routines and way of life then it is a problem which needs to be addressed.   Anxiety attacks and disorders are experienced by many different people at different stages in peoples lives.  It is common and many people report having an anxiety attack at some point.  It is estimated that one in every 75 people suffer from anxiety attacks.  So if you are a sufferer, you are not alone.   Despite this fact, many people wait as long as 18 months to seek treatment for anxiety.  Moreover, many cases go completely unreported.

Seeing a therapist is the best anxiety cure and the only anxiety disorder treatment to cure your anxiety long-term.  A therapist will help you identify the problem and treat your anxiety.  Many people do not seek professional help because of the stigma and connection to mental health problems.  However, anxiety attacks are common and should not be kept secret.

Tagged with: anxiety • Causes • Overcoming • treatments

Filed under: Pregnancy Anxiety

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