Anxiety can be defined as a feeling of worry. It is a common issue that is experienced by everyone at some point of time.Anxiety or panic attacks affect only who are neurotic or schizophrenic and is a mental disorder.No, it is not a mental disorder, and everyday anxiety encountered by all of us is different from anxiety disorder which is a constant and often an irrational fear disrupting our daily life. Anxiety or panic attacks happen to anyone, anytime. Prolonged stress levels, heavy emotional disturbances, major life changes, or negative thinking can cause panic attacks. Generally, those suffering from other forms of anxiety disorders are more prone to a panic attack. Under this attack you may feel you are going crazy, but this is just a response to a situation. Schizophrenia is an advanced form of psychosis, panic attacks are not. They pass off and come to normal in a short time.Panic attacks can kill.Though the symptoms are terrifying and you may feel you are going to die, panic attacks cannot kill. The symptoms are natural body responses to danger. You may experience all the signs of a heart attack like, tightness in the chest, heavy breathing, sweating and palpitation but they are just symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack.Anxiety or panic attacks make you lose control and faint.This is not at all true. Studies show that even if it seems like you are losing control, it never peaks up to the point of losing control. There is also no chance of fainting, because this happens only when blood pressure falls, whereas in panic attacks your blood pressure rises slightly.Panic or anxiety disorder is not an illness.The National Institute of Mental Health will not accept this theory because surveys show that 18% of the population in the US are afflicted with this disorder and can be quite weakening. Anxiety disorders are real, serious, and treatable. It has to be properly diagnosed and treated. The symptoms are so terrifying that you might think you have a brain tumor or some other dreadful disease. Instead of worrying about it, you can get it diagnosed and treated. You will be relieved to know that it is nothing life threatening and lead a normal, full life.There are no cures for this disorder.An anxiety disorder though harmless can be a terrifying experience which disrupts normal life of not only yours but also of others’ around you. You need to consult a physician for the best treatment for you as this differs from person to person. What treatment works wonders for one can be quite ineffective for another. Only a doctor will be able to prescribe the right treatment for you.Medication is the only treatment for anxiety disorders.This is not true. Medication is helpful but scientific research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective in treating anxiety disorders. Therapy can allay your fears and reduce your worries, so that you can understand your behavior and also change your neurotic habits. This therapy can be combined with medication for even better results.Medications for anxiety are addictive, so they should not be taken.Medications are generally safe and effective. They may be short term or long term depending on the severity of symptoms and other medical conditions. First line medications for anxiety like SSRI and SNRI anti depressants are not addictive. Benzodiazepines can be helpful for a short duration, but sometimes you might have to increase the dosage and therefore develop a dependence.Diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle can cure anxiety disorders.Of course, eating the right healthy foods, avoiding junk food and exercising or doing yoga can reduce stress which aggravates anxiety, but they cannot cure anxiety. You need to do much more than that. You need to face your fears, stop avoiding and learn to respect and understand others and learn tolerance. Smoking, indulging in alcohol or caffeine, sedative abuse and nicotine addiction can trigger panic attacks, so it’s better to stay away from them.Anxiety disorder has no genetic links.Not true. If your parents or grandparents had panic disorder, chances are that you will too have. But, clinical reports show that this is only one of the many causes and not the sole basis for contracting this disorder. Researchers are getting to know about biological links that run in families, much like allergies or diabetes.
