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How normal anxiety differs from anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a common occurrence - most people experience it before or after stressful situations, like a business presentation, big exam, or a traumatic event. Common types of anxiety include: apprehension, fearfulness, worry, dread, panic, obsession, compulsion. Anxiety is a body's reaction to a perceived, anticipated or imagined danger or threatening situation. Normally anxiety can be useful, helping us to avoid dangerous situations, making us alert and giving us the motivation to deal with problems. But if you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful emotion can do just the opposite - it can keep you from coping and can disrupt your daily life.

Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness. An anxiety disorder is a serious condition characterized by extreme, chronic anxiety which disturbs mood, thought, behavior and/or physiological activity. Anxiety disorders occur when anxiety becomes so intense, long-lasting, and uncontrollable that it causes serious distress, and may lead to problems at home, school or work. Anxiety disorders are illnesses, often related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual, and they frequently run in families. Having an anxiety disorder is NOT a sign of weakness - anyone can develop anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders.

Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. Anxiety attacks usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational, the perceived danger is very real. A person experiencing an anxiety attack will often feel as if they are about to die or pass out. Anxiety attacks and disorders can be particularly frightening because overwhelming fear and worry can easily take over and make life seem like it is just too hard to live.

Anxiety causes and risk factors

There is no one cause for anxiety. It is likely that anxiety disorders develop from a complex combination of genetic, behavioral, developmental, and other factors. New technologies are enabling scientists to learn more about the factors that influence the development of an anxiety disorder. With a better understanding of underlying causes, better treatment and even prevention measures will be possible.

Heredity (Genetics). There is clear evidence that anxiety disorders tend to run in families, so if a person’s mom, dad, or other close relative has anxiety, they have a higher chance of developing anxiety themselves. Growing up in a family where fear and anxiety are constantly shown to children by role models can “teach” them to be anxious as well. Research also shows a genetic predisposition for a chemical imbalance in people with anxiety. Since the structure of the brain and its processes are inherited, this is yet another reason why anxiety can run in families.

Brain biochemistry (Chemical imbalance). Because symptoms of anxiety disorders are often relieved by medications that alter levels of chemicals in the brain, scientists believe that chemical imbalances account for the development of disorders in some people. When we feel stressed, anxious or depressed, our brains may be releasing or absorbing (re-uptake) chemicals either too rapidly or too slowly. If left untreated, a chemical imbalance disorder may increase in severity as time passes.

Personality (temperament). Personality differences may also affect whether or not an anxiety disorder develops. People who have low self-confidence, low self-esteem, lack of resiliency, and poor coping skills may be more prone. Conversely, an anxiety disorder that begins in childhood may itself contribute to the development of low self-esteem. People's tendency to be shy or nervous may be inborn, simply part of their nature. Some research suggests that babies who are easily upset never fully learn how to soothe themselves early in life the way other children with calmer temperaments do. They may react more strongly to stressful or anxiety-provoking situations than people whose temperament makes them more adaptable. Some experts believe that people with an inhibited, cautious temperament may be more likely to have problems with anxiety.

Life experiences, stressful life events. Early emotional experience can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder. The experience may be a major childhood trauma (the death of a parent, divorce, child abuse or sexual abuse, etc.), emotional abuse (constant criticism, abandonment, deprivation), emotional patterning (anxious parent, alcoholic parent), or growing up in an unsafe neighborhood. These adverse emotional experiences can set up a pattern of chronic anxiety. Unsafe conditions or frightening experiences may teach children to be overcautious, to expect bad things, or to worry excessively about possible dangers.

Mental and emotional issues. In some cases, anxiety disorders stem from other mental and emotional issues. Anxiety disorders are commonly seen with other disorders such as depression, substance abuse or eating disorders.

Anxiety relief: natural treatments for anxiety

You can relieve anxiety through change in a number of factors: lifestyle, diet, exercise levels, hormonal balance, general physical health, and your emotional history. There are also many natural alternatives that can help relieve anxiety. Before purchasing a natural alternative, it is important to understand which herbs, vitamins and minerals actually work.

Good nutrition is the foundation of natural treatment for anxiety. If you are serotonin-deficient you will crave sugar and simple carbohydrates. But those foods cause your insulin levels to spike and crash, further destabilizing your mood and creating that “bottoming out” feeling. Eat real whole foods, organic when possible, that will help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Avoid all processed, artificial products, trans fats, artificial additives, simple sugars and carbohydrates. Add multiple servings of fiber-rich vegetables or fruit to every meal and drink plenty of filtered water.

Take a medical-grade nutritional supplement to fill in any nutritional gaps. A daily supplement that includes essential fatty acids is an important part of supporting natural neurotransmitter balance and general good health.

St. Johns Wort is the most widely used mood enhancing single herb preparation on the market. The active phytochemicals in SJW, hyperforin and hypericin, are believed to be responsible for its anti-depressive effects. Meta-Analysis of clinical trials involving hundreds of patients suggests that St. Johns Wort may be effective in helping to support depressed mood and mood fluctuations by maintaining the balance of key neurotransmitters in the brain including Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Dopamine and GABA.

Valerian Root is known for its direct sedative effect on the Central Nervous System and is commonly used as a calming agent for helping to reduce headaches, feelings of nervousness and difficulty sleeping. According to numerous clinical trials, the results of taking Valerian for one to thirty days are mild sedation and a decrease in feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and an improved overall sleep quality.

Rhodiola Rosea (Arctic Root) is recognized for its adaptogenic properties in Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, and Scandinavia. Rhodiola increases the body's resistance to emotional and physical stress. Rhodiola was found to support the healthy function of the neurotransmitters Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Dopamine and GABA, an effect that may be partially responsible for helping to reduce anxiety. It is often used to help positively support cognitive functions such as memory and attention.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a plant native to North America. It is sold as a powder, a capsule, tablet or drops, and marketed as a treatment for sleep disorders, nervous tension and anxiety. Passionflower is a traditional remedy to treat anxiety.

Vitamin B-complex is essential nutrient required for proper mental function and overall health. Deficiencies in B-vitamins may cause symptoms related to anxiety and depression and include fatigue, sleep difficulty, stress, nervousness, anxiety and depressive states. The B-complex of vitamins play a key role in the break down and production of neurochemicals which results in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA.

Kava Kava effects are often compared to standard sedatives due to its unique action on the Central Nervous System. The body absorbs Kava Kava very quickly, which helps to provide fast-acting natural sedation, making Kava one of the most popular anxiety herbs on the market. The initial effects begin with a relaxed, more sociable state of mind and a heightening of the senses. A recent meta-analysis of clinical studies found Kava Kava to be more effective than placebo for helping to relieve anxiety related symptoms and also indicated that Kava Kava extract was as effective in relieving generalized anxiety disorder as the popular prescription drug Buspirone.