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Dr. Rajesh Patel, MD.
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Ask the Doctor!
May 2010
Q:
A friend of mine has been having medical problems for years but recently diagnosed with anxiety attacks. What are
anxiety attacks, what are the causes and how do you prevent them?
-- S. Jamison, CO
A:
Anxiety disorders are extremely common, affecting nearly 25 million people in the U.S. The root cause of anxiety disorders remains unclear. Research is being conducted in order to pinpoint specific brain chemicals that may produce this disorder, but further work is required in this field. Nonetheless, it is becoming more apparent that anxiety triggers are controlled by the same area of the brain that is responsible for a person's fear-response mechanism. There could also be certain genetic and environmental factors at play, since anxiety often runs in families.
Anxiety attacks can be attributed to one or more of the following categories: Panic Disorder, Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Each of these groups have specific qualities, but generally speaking, symptoms can include: "butterflies" in the stomach, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, restlessness, tense muscles, excessive worry and fearfulness, obsessive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, distressing memories, sleep disturbances, and profound levels of panic. If severe, an attack can mimic a life-threatening experience. These symptoms can often occur right after a stressful event or by simply taking in a certain substance (such as caffeinated beverages). On the other hand, they can also occur without any identifiable cause.
Treatment of anxiety is not universal, rather tailored to each individual, according to degree of severity and whether it is an acute or chronic condition. Behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful in attaining better insight into the condition and developing coping techniques under the guidance of an experienced health professional. Several prescription medications are also available and they have provided great help in assisting individuals function better on a daily basis. If mild enough, anxiety might be significantly reduced by adopting lifestyle changes such as regular exercise along with a balanced diet. A combination of treatments is usually necessary to achieve the greatest degree of prevention.
Depression is a common finding among those suffering from anxiety disorders. And one can exacerbate the other. Treatment for depression is very similar to that of anxiety, but it may require medication at an earlier level.
People often dismiss feelings of anxiety as simply normal life occurrences. This may be so. However, if these feelings begin to appear more often and disrupt one's daily functioning, treatment can be very helpful, especially with longstanding anxiety. Likewise, it is important to realize that certain medical conditions (such as heart disorder, thyroid imbalance, infection, and drug effects) can produce similar symptoms. A physician can help rule out any underlying disorders.
Submit your questions to askthedoctor@nowoodennickels.org
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