Anxiety disorders, also known as anxiety neurosis, are characterized by generalized anxiety disorder (chronic anxiety disorder) and episodic panic states (acute anxiety disorder), often accompanied by dizziness, chest tightness, palpitations, dyspnea, dry mouth, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, sweating, tremors and motor restlessness, whose anxiety is not caused by an actual threat, or whose degree of nervousness and panic is very disproportionate to the reality of the situation.
Anxiety disorders differ from normal emotional reactions to anxiety in that
First, it is unprovoked anxiety, tension and fear without a clear object or content
Second, it is directed toward the future, as if some threat is imminent, but the patient himself cannot say what threat or danger exists
Thirdly, it lasts for a long time and can be prolonged for weeks, months or even years without active and effective treatment. Finally, anxiety disorders present not only a persistent or episodic state of panic, but also a variety of physical symptoms.
In short, pathological anxiety is a form of unfounded panic and nervousness, experienced psychologically as generalized worry and panic with no fixed goal, and physiologically accompanied by physical symptoms of increased alertness.
These symptoms are not only found in simple anxiety disorders, but also in some psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. The anxiety symptoms of such disorders are only one of their symptoms. These anxiety symptoms are not essentially different from simple anxiety disorders in terms of clinical symptoms and psychiatry, and are perhaps more complex than simple anxiety disorders in terms of treatment, because while treating their anxiety symptoms, other symptoms of such patients also need to be treated, so a distinction needs to be made here from simple anxiety disorders.
I. There are basically three groups of clinical manifestations, which can also be regarded as the three major symptoms of anxiety disorders.
1. Pathological anxiety.
There is a persistent or episodic appearance of inexplicable fear, dread, nervousness and uneasiness. There is a sense of anticipatory danger, a feeling that some kind of disaster is coming, or even a feeling of death (“near-death feeling”). The patient fears that he or she will lose control and may suddenly faint or “go crazy”. Seventy percent of patients also have symptoms of depression and lack of confidence and joy in their present and future lives.
They are sometimes agitated and unbalanced, often get angry for no reason, argue with family members, and are dissatisfied with everything. Anxiety disorders have cognitive impairment, inability to perceive and recognize the surrounding environment clearly, thinking becomes simple and vague, focusing on their health status all day long, and worrying about the re-occurrence of the disease.
2. Somatic discomfort symptoms.
They are often early symptoms. During the progressive stage of the disease, there are usually a variety of physical symptoms: palpitations, panic attacks, chest tightness, shortness of breath, discomfort or pain in the precordial area, increased heart rate and respiration, general fatigue, reduced ability to live and work, and difficulty in performing simple daily chores, which in turn increase the patient’s worry and anxiety. There are also sleep disorders such as insomnia, early awakening and nightmares, which are quite severe and persistent. In addition, there may be symptoms of digestive disorders.
The vast majority of patients with anxiety disorders also have hand tremors, finger tremors or numbness, paroxysmal flushing or coldness, irregular menstruation, menopause, loss of libido, frequent urination, dizziness, vertigo, fear, syncopal episodes, etc.
3. Psychomotor restlessness (referred to as psychogenic restlessness).
Fidgeting, restlessness, rubbing hands and feet, pacing around, increasing small movements, inability to concentrate, and not knowing why one is so anxious.
Danger signs of anxiety.
Excessive anxiety can be a direct threat to health. If the following symptoms occur, and there is no obvious reason, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
1. Continuous dizziness or temporary loss of memory.
2. Rectal bleeding.
3. Accelerated pulse rate.
4. Sweaty palms.
5.Chronic back pain, neck pain.
6.Chronic or severe headache.
7.Trembling.
8.Hives.
9.Emotional overstimulation and overwhelming.
10.Insomnia.