Treatment of Anxiety
According to the epidemiological surveillance report on mental health in Spain, in 2015 almost 2 million people presented some type of anxiety disorder, equivalent to 4.1% of the population. Additionally, there is an increase in the prevalence of anxiety in under-17s over the last decade, from 3.5% to 4.2% today.
Anxiety Disorder
The anxiety can be considered as a normal and even adaptive feeling, which arises in response to a special alarm situation. Anxiety is accompanied by certain physiological changes that are transient and allow the body to react to a specific situation. In this perspective anxiety is normal.
The problem is, when the feeling of anxiety is permanent and/or exaggerated or disproportionate to the intensity or magnitude of the stimulus that gives rise to it, or it may even appear only as fear or a feeling of distress in anticipation of a probable threat that may not be real or may never occur.
In these cases, we speak of generalised anxiety disorder o anxiety disorder which is a very common pathology worldwide and requires specialised assessment and individualised treatment because it significantly impairs the quality of life of the sufferer and their family environment.
What is Anxiety?
A general definition of anxiety would be a feeling of worry, anguish or nervousness that can escalate to panic.
The symptoms of anxiety range from physical to psychological symptoms. There is difficulty in relaxing, with excessive preoccupation with everyday events or without apparent cause. This worry is also uncontrollable by the sufferer. There are concentration and attention problems, sleep disturbances, usually insomnia.
On a physical level, there is constant fatigue or weakness without being preceded by physical activity or stress, headache, palpitations, muscle aches, tremors, profuse sweating, among other symptoms.
The intensity of symptoms varies according to the type of anxiety disorder. In anxiety crises, also called anxiety attacks o panic attacks, physical symptoms are severe and sudden, and include chest pain, shortness of breath, hyperventilation, tingling in the hands, difficulty swallowing and even fainting.
Types of Anxiety
Several anxiety-associated clinical forms or types of anxiety have now been described. anxiety disordersThe two types of treatment and follow-up must be clearly differentiated, as each responds to a different approach to treatment and follow-up. It follows that the anxiety should be evaluated by an expert psychiatrist.
- Generalised anxiety disorder, the most common form of generalised anxiety disorder, is characterised by intermittent physical symptoms that must be present for at least 6 months to be diagnosed.
- Substance-related anxiety disorder.
- Anxiety disorder due to medical illness.
- Panic disorder.
- Agarophobia, which is the fear of being in places where it is difficult to escape or get out, usually associated with crowds or enclosed, poorly lit spaces.
- Social anxiety disorder or social phobia, people who are afraid of appearing in public or in situations where they are exposed to criticism or are the centre of attention in a group.
- Mixed anxiety disorder and depressionwhen both pathological conditions occur simultaneously in the same individual.
- Separation anxiety disorder, excessive and inappropriate fear of separation. For some classifications this variety only occurs in children.
- Selective mutism, when there is a failure to speak in specific social situations.
How to overcome anxiety?
There are several effective strategies for calming anxietyranging from therapies such as mindfulness, walking, physical activity, yoga and meditation exercises, slow breathing techniques, among others, can be helpful. and learn to how to combat anxiety, in a timely manner in the event of mild symptoms.
But the anxiety disorders require much more than specific and transient relaxation interventions, which, although effective, do not represent a cure for the disease.
For this, it is necessary to turn to specialised centres with psychologists and psychiatrists who are properly trained and who work in a holistic way, to guarantee a lasting therapeutic result and a chance of healing and it is here that the Dr. Eloy Rodriguez Arrebola and his multidisciplinary team at the Centro Clínico Integral Psiquiátrico CIPS Malaga will help you address and resolve your anxiety disorder.
On the other hand, the involvement of family and close friends is very important to provide containment and support to the anxious patient. Effective and close communication in a sympathetic position is very helpful in overcoming anxiety. It is important to avoid underestimating the symptoms or disqualifying the anxious patient and to maintain a relaxed attitude towards moments of crisis.
But how to cure anxiety?
The treatment of anxiety combines a part of psychological therapy and medicines for anxietywhich must be strictly indicated by the medical specialist.
On the other hand, the indiscriminate use or self-medication of this type of medicines for anxiety may have effects contrary to those desired. This is because it is essential to accurately determine the type of disorder, degree of severity and the presence or absence of other pathologies and interactions with other medicines, in order to make an appropriate pharmacological indication.
Many patients who self-medicate for dealing with anxiety The symptoms of drug users often perpetuate or worsen over time and eventually lead them to seek the care of a psychiatric specialist.
The anxiety pills, known as anxiolytics, have a range of side effects and not all of them are suitable for all types of people or all types of anxiety disorder. There are many types of drugs and the selection of the right medication and dosage should be left to a professional expert.
Cips Malaga is a centre specialised in mental health located in Malaga city and directed by the Doctor Eloy Rodriguez ArrebolaPsychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in the approach and treatment of anxiety in Malaga.
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