People get anxiety from stressful conditions. The anxiety normally subsides when overcoming the situations, which can include grief, separation from loved ones, difficulties at work or family problems. Prolonged anxiety can produce persistent worries, nervousness, apprehension or fear. The effects can develop into anxiety disorders over time. Symptoms interfere with daily functioning. Prolonged anxiety can lead to overreactions to normal problems because of constant uneasiness. People might even feel immobilized by anxiety attacks.
Effects
People with anxiety might have reasons for their concerns, but excessive worry over time, especially when it deals with small problems, can cause emotional and physical effects. Chronic feelings of anxiety can result in irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and being easily startled, according to Medical News Today. Physical symptoms also result. People become fatigued from frequent mental pressures that cause loss of sleep. Muscle tension, backaches, headaches, trembling, nausea and diarrhea can occur. Bouts of anxiety or anxiety attacks can lead to heart palpitations, numbness in the arms, hands or legs, chest pains, shortness of breath and dizziness, according to Medical News Today.
Function
Persistent anxiety can develop into generalized anxiety disorder, which causes people to become consumed or obsessed with worry most of the time, the Mayo Clinic says. Even when small problems do not exist, people with generalized anxiety have fears about something that might happen to them or loved ones. Many generalized anxiety patients report they have not felt relaxed in months or years.
Other Types
Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, which occurs when people suddenly have feelings of terror for no apparent reason. They cannot predict when an anxiety or panic attack will happen, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says. Prolonged anxiety makes them worry about having another attack. Some people have had terrifying incidents occur in their past and develop post-traumatic stress disorder. They can become overwhelmed by anxiety or panic attacks when in a situation or place that reminds them of the past experience. Some anxiety patients develop phobias that make them fear being in public places or situations that can trigger anxiety. They constantly avoid the situations, which can interfere with their daily lives.
Childhood Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder can happen to children and adolescents, the Mayo Clinic says. Young people can develop prolonged anxiety and excessive worries about school or sports performance and relations with peers. The children might lack confidence, feel overly anxious about fitting in with other children and strive for approval or need constant reassurance about their performance.
Prevention/Solution
Prolonged anxiety can co-exist with other anxiety disorders, depression or substance abuse. Patients need to overcome these disorders separately when undergoing treatment. Counseling helps people understand the reasons for their anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy teaches patients to avoid the negative thoughts that cause anxiety and focus on positive thinking to help change their behavior and mood. Doctors can prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs to treat symptoms of anxiety.
www.livestrong.com
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