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Anxiety
What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.
People often experience a general state of worry or fear before confronting something challenging such as a test, examination, recital, or interview. These feelings are easily justified and considered normal. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person's ability to sleep or function normally. Generally speaking, anxiety disorder occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a particular situation.
How Does an Anxiety Disorder Present? If you're concerned that you may be entering into an episode of stress, depression and anxiety, you'll want to know the symptoms associated with these problems and how they affect sufferers. Here are the most common symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety: - Lack of energy
- Exhaustion
- Trembling hands
- Disturbed sleeping patterns
- Isolation
- Panic
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Guilt
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Racing heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of sex drive
- Irritability
Do You Get Different Forms of Anxiety? There are five major types of anxiety disorders:- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder
Adjustment disorders (AD) are listed as subthreshold disorders and share features of other diagnostic groups. In other words, a subthreshold disorder allows for the classification of early disease states. Adjustment disorders are thought to be common. Six types of adjustment disorders have been listed, including adjustment disorder with anxiety.
What is Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety (ADWA)? In psychiatry, adjustment disorder with anxiety is classified as a mental disorder. AD is a psychological response to an identifiable stressor or group of stressors that causes significant emotional or behavioral symptoms that does not meet criteria for more specific disorders. The condition is different from anxiety disorder, which lacks the presence of a stressor, or post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder which usually are associated with a more intense stressor.
Who is Likely to Develop Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety? Some studies show that 1 in 4 adults may develop Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety, making it very common. Stressful events that may lead to Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety in an individual include: - Marital problems – divorce, ending an important relationship or getting married
- Starting a new job or having severe business or financial difficulties
- Moving house or living in a crime-ridden area with recurrent exposure to stressors
- Exam stress or high work load e.g. the college student
What Are the Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety?- Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety is an overly intense or maladaptive reaction to a stressful life event
- Symptoms usually start within 3 months of the onset of a stressful event and lasts for no longer than 6 months after the stressful event ends
- Triggers that cause Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety (ADWA) can cause marked distress and must be quickly identified and treated
- Anxiety is the dominant symptom, presenting as nervousness, restlessness or agitation
- The anxiety causes marked suffering and is more intense than expressed in reaction to the stressful event
- The anxiety causes major social, occupational or family disability
- Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety (ADWA) is said to be acute if symptoms last for less than 6 months and chronic if the stressful event and symptoms persist for more than six months
Does Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety Require Treatment? Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety (Reactive Anxiety), is disabling and may lead to poor performance at work or academically as well as temporary changes in social and family relationships. Left untreated, Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety can progress to chronic disorders such as depression or generalised anxiety disorder.
Ask your doctor about an effective solution in treating Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety from Adcock Ingram.
REFERENCES: | 1. | Nuss P. Adjustment disorder with anxiety. Synthese Medicale 1999;690:1-7. | | 2. | Nguyen N, Fakra E, Pradel V. Efficacy of etifoxine compared to lorazepam monotherapy in the treatment of patients with adjustment disorders with anxiety: a double-blind controlled study in general practice. Human Psychopharmacology 2006;21:139-149. | | 3. | Servant D, Graziani PI, Moyse D, Parquat PJ, Treatment of adjustment disorder with anxiety: efficacy and safety of etifoxine in a double-blind controlled study. L'Encephale 1998;XXIV:569-574. | | 4. | Rouillon F. Epidermiology of adjustment disorder with anxiety: main studies of prevalence. In: Le Trouble de l'adaptation avec anxiété. Ferreri M (Ed). Springer Paris, 1998:61-65. 5. www.emedicine.com Benton TD, Adjustment Disorders |
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