Anxiety

Anxiety is an unpleasant complex combination of emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain and/or shortness of breath.Anxiety can occur normally in everyday life, for instance in anticipation of public speaking or making a big decision. It can serve an adaptive function, in terms of preparing the body for action via the "fight or flight" response, or it can be maladaptive, as in the case of the anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).In neurological conditions, anxiety may be experienced at several stages of the disease. During the diagnostic process people can feel anxious as there is uncertainty hanging over their future. Some individuals even report a sense of relief upon receiving their diagnosis. Further on in the disease course, specific forms of anxiety may present which relate to going out in public. The use of walking aids such as a stick or wheelchair, problems eating in a restaurant, or even emotional lability can all make social outings an anxiety-provoking occasion. A common reaction is to attempt to avoid such situations altogether, particularly following a bad experience. However, the evidence suggests that maintaining a strong social support network is important in maintaining quality of life. In later stages of the disease, anxiety may focus on breathing difficulties or falls, with increased anxiety leading to hyperventilation, leading to more difficulty breathing, and so on in a cycle. The use of antianxylotic drugs or relaxation techniques may be helpful here. It is important to note that in many cases there is an overlap between depression and anxiety; however there are several ways to differentiate between the two. Anxiety is often associated with physical signs of stress such as sweaty palms, racing thoughts, "butterflies in the tummy", or heart palpitations. Conversely the physical signs of depression are characterised by loss of energy, lack of pleasure in normally pleasant activities, loss of appetite, and loss of libido. In terms of thoughts, anxiety includes intrusive worrying which is unpleasant and difficult to suppress, with a particular focus on avoiding anxiety-inducing situations. Whilst such thoughts can occur in depression, these tend to focus on negative beliefs about the individual ("I am a bad person"), the world ("Other people don't like me"), or the future ("My situation is hopeless").
This information should not be considered medical advice. Consult your doctor before utilizing any treatments described