The Emotional Impact of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders affect millions of men and women every year, and most people experience a combination of emotional and physical symptoms depending on the severity of their condition. There are different types of anxiety disorders, but most produce the same impact on a person’s quality of life and well-being.
Irrational and excessive fear or worry is the trademark of all anxiety disorders. However, the following emotional symptoms can also be present, and can occur frequently, or become a part of the person’s personality:
1. Expecting the worst. Anxiety disorder sufferers mostly have a negative disposition. This can perpetuate a cycle of negative thinking, and may lead to depression, more anxiety and other problems.
2. Constant uneasiness. A person with anxiety disorder always feels uncomfortable generally or in specific situations. A person may even have difficulty relaxing because he or she is already engraved with the habit of having their guards up or extreme attentiveness.
3. Feeling jumpy or tense on a regular basis. People with anxiety disorder might feel they are “jumpy” on a regular basis. According to the United States National Mental Health Information Center at mentalhealth.samhsa.gov, anxiety disorders can cause people to become “trapped in a pattern of repeated thoughts and behaviors such as counting or hand washing” just so they can reduce their feelings of tension and anxiety.
4. Watching for threats and dangers. People who are under constant tension may become pre-occupied with dangerous situations and events. Additionally, they will be extremely cautious in doing something and going somewhere to avoid scary situations.
5. Difficulty Focusing. Thinking about anxiety, fear and worry on a regular basis drains a person’s mental functioning. Most people will find it hard to focus and concentrate for a long period. Some may even find it hard to do a job and stay on one place. The symptoms may point to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but in most cases, the real culprit is an anxiety disorder.
6. Easily annoyed. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders do not get enough rest or sleep, and this can make them especially irritable or aggravated throughout the day. They may become irritated by slight changes in their schedule or routine, and can become overly sensitive to everyday situations. Relaxation methods and taking enough rest will improve a sufferer’s condition, although these habits would need to be developed over time.
There are several emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders that can adversely affect the sufferer’s life, and the lives of their friends and family. However, it is important to recognize these early on so that an effective treatment may be prescribed to the sufferer as soon as possible.
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