Introduction

Suffering from mental disorders like anxiety can possibly affect your perspective in certain situations. Anxiety can bring feelings of fear, doubt, dread, and others. With all of these emotions happening, it can be difficult to handle and may rise as a stressful situation. Unfortunately, this situation is common due to lack of knowledge in recognizing anxiety symptoms, coping strategies, and proper treatment.

Whether or not you suspect your mental health is leaning to anxiety, it’s best to be aware of crucial information for proper management. In this guide, we’ll be discussing the common anxiety symptoms to watch out for and how to address them through proper guidance from a psychiatrist and psychologist. Let’s begin!

Definition of Terms

Anxiety disorder is a general term for a mental health condition that often involves different feelings occurring at the same time. Most of these emotions are difficult to control, which can affect your daily functioning. This disorder involves different types of mental illnesses, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and phobia.

Types of Anxiety Disorder

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – People with GAD experience excessive worry about various aspects of life, including health, work, and relationships.
• Panic Disorder – This involves unexpected panic attacks characterized by intense fear, palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
• Social Anxiety Disorder – Also known as social phobia, this disorder involves extreme self-consciousness and fear of social situations.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder – Common in children but also affecting adults, this condition involves excessive fear of being apart from loved ones.
• Specific Phobias – An intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations, such as heights, enclosed spaces, or flying.

Read related article to know more about types of anxiety

Recognizing Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety disorders can manifest in various ways. There are physical signs that can be visible when any of the anxiety disorders occur. At the same time, emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders can take place, which commonly involve overwhelming and drowning feelings. Lastly, when people experience anxiety, they can also appear through behavioral symptoms.

If any of these types of symptoms are in line with what you experience on a daily basis, it is possible that you are suffering from anxiety attacks. Check them out below!

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety can often mimic other medical conditions when it comes to its physical symptoms.

Common physical signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sweating and trembling
• Muscle tension
• Headaches and fatigue
• Nausea or digestive issues

Emotional and Cognitive Anxiety Symptoms

• Excessive worry or overthinking
• Intense fear or panic attacks
• Irritability and restlessness
• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• Difficulty concentrating
• Intrusive thoughts or irrational fears

Behavioral Symptoms of Anxiety

• Avoiding social situations (social anxiety)
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Procrastination or avoidance of responsibilities
• Compulsive behaviors

If you experience these symptoms regularly and they impact your daily life, you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder.

Read another article related to anxiety symptoms

What to do when having an anxiety attack?

While knowing the symptoms can help you read the situation and prepare for the anxiety attack, it is still important to be knowledgeable on first aid for anxiety attacks. For instance, it is best to do the following:

• Practice breathing – This practice allows you to avoid panic and hyperventilation, which is possible when you have an anxiety attack.
• Ground yourself – By focusing on certain factors such as an object in your environment, it can help you ease your mind away from the trigger of your anxiety. You can also utilize your senses for grounding like listening to music or touching objects with texture.

Other Management Techniques: Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help Strategies

• Regular Exercise: Engaging in physical activity helps reduce stress hormones and release endorphins.
• Healthy Diet: Avoid excessive caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, which can trigger anxiety symptoms.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can significantly reduce stress.
• Adequate Sleep: Lack of sleep worsens anxiety. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality rest.
• Limiting Screen Time: Excessive social media use can increase stress and anxiety levels.
• Identify Negative Thoughts: Challenge irrational fears and replace them with realistic perspectives.
• Gradual Exposure: If social anxiety is an issue, gradually expose yourself to social situations.
• Journaling: Writing about your worries helps process emotions and identify triggers.

These tricks are some of the effective ways in dealing with sudden anxiety attacks. Despite its effectiveness, it is still ideal to have proper guidance when dealing with episodes of anxiety. Book a session with a mental health doctor immediately to know the best options for you. Check if your PhilCare HMO plan covers mental health consultations. Check if your PhilCare HMO plan covers mental health consultations.

Common Professional Treatment Options for Symptoms of Anxiety

Therapy and Counseling

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): One of the most effective treatments, CBT helps identify and change negative thought patterns.
• Psychotherapy: A talk therapy that offers safe space for addressing thoughts, behaviors, and more
• Exposure Therapy: Helps individuals confront and manage fears in a controlled environment.
• Support Groups: Connecting with others experiencing similar challenges can provide emotional support.

Anxiety Medication in the Philippines

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Commonly prescribed for long-term anxiety management.
• Benzodiazepines: Used for short-term relief of acute anxiety, but they can be habit-forming.
• Beta-Blockers: Help manage physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and trembling.

Consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist is essential for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Find out the suitable medication and counseling options for your case. Book a session with a mental health doctor on NowServing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Recognizing anxiety symptoms is the first step toward effective management. Whether through self-help strategies, therapy, or medication, finding the right approach can improve your quality of life. If anxiety is interfering with your daily activities, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. You can find a psychiatrist in Manila through NowServing. You can find a psychiatrist in Manila through NowServing.

Book an online consultation today or download the NowServing app to connect with mental health professionals. You can also talk to a Filipino therapist online from the comfort of your home. You can also talk to a Filipino therapist online from the comfort of your home.

The post Exploring Anxiety Symptoms and Treatment Options appeared first on NowServing Health.

It is essential to consider that medications that cross the blood-brain barrier can cross the placenta, hence reaching the baby. It can also enter breast milk (to a less extent)

Unfortunately, the answer is not always clear-cut, so it is reasonable to consider various sources of clinical knowledge, like clinical guidelines of psychiatric and obstetric medical societies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials. 

Currently, here is the knowledge available for drug classes commonly used for anxiety:

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are drugs like triazolam, oxazepam, midazolam, alprazolam, lorazepam, temazepam, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, flurazepam. Benzodiazepines are used for acute episodes of anxiety and panic attacks by reducing the stimulation of nerves. However, benzodiazepine use during pregnancy has led to some reports of orofacial clefts, apnea, hypotonia, and feeding difficulties in infants.¹

Some doctors may still prescribe benzodiazepines in pregnancy when the benefit exceeds the risks. ¹

Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics and hypnotics

Buspirone and Zolpidem are the two drugs under this drug class that are relatively safe for pregnancy. On the other hand, drugs such as Eszopiclone and Zaleplon have more risks during pregnancy.²

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

There is a lack of evidence of the ill effects of SSRIs on fetuses and breastfeeding. There have been short-term complications of SSRIs like maternal weight changes and premature delivery³. However, it should be weighed versus the risk of relapse if the medications are discontinued. The approach to modifying SSRIs should be individualized for each patient and discussed with a physician. 

Paroxetine, however, should be avoided by pregnant women and women who plan on conceiving because of heart defects in infants.²

Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Another option during pregnancy would be SNRIs, like duloxetine and venlafaxine. These drugs are considered relatively low-risk. However, there is a small risk of postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding after giving birth) and congenital heart defects.⁴

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

TCAs can help both anxiety and depression, most commonly when other medications have not helped. A TCA like clomipramine may lead to heart defects. However, an alternative TCA, like maprotiline, has no documented effects on fetuses and is considered safer during pregnancy.²

Takeaways

Women who are planning on conceiving and whose symptoms of anxiety are mild may be able to taper off their medications. However, if there is any history of severe anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or suicide attempts, it may be better to maintain medications than risk a relapse. It may be better for the baby overall. 

A consult with your psychiatrist and obstetrician can help reduce your risk as well as improve the health of your child by tapering, modifying, or discontinuing your medications while pregnant. Other than medications, it is also important to do other non-medical ways to help reduce your stress. 

The post I am pregnant and I have anxiety, can I continue taking my anti-anxiety medications? appeared first on NowServing Health.

1. Deep breathing exercises. Remember to take slow, deep breaths whenever you recognize that your breathing becomes quick and shallow. It increases the oxygen in your body and helps induce calm and a sense of control. Try breathing in for about four seconds, holding your breath, then slowly breathing out for another four seconds. This exercise can help remind you to take things slow.
2. Close your eyes. Sometimes, an overwhelming number of stimuli can help start a panic attack. Reducing the triggers by ceasing to look around the environment can help you center yourself in the present.
3. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to worse anxiety and depression than what a person would usually feel. Getting some good quality sleep for at least seven to nine hours a night can help reduce panic attacks. If you are having trouble sleeping, make sure to practice good sleep hygiene, that is, turning off all the lights before you sleep, sleeping in a designated bed, changing to your bedclothes, and making yourself comfortable.
4. Be mindful of where you are. A panic attack can change your view of reality and give you an impending sense of doom. Remind yourself that you are present wherever you are, on the ground beneath your feet.
5. Reduce the caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Excess caffeine increases anxiety, as it causes you to palpitate and be more awake.1 While alcohol can help reduce tension in the short run, it can worsen anxiety in periods of sobriety.2 Smoking cigarettes can seem calming, but it can lead to long-term higher levels of anxiety.3
6. Do some exercise. When you exert a certain amount of physical effort, it helps increase the amount of endorphins in your blood. Endorphins are a natural form of feel-good hormones that help to reduce pain and anxiety in the brain. Light cardiovascular exercise can help reduce stress, like a light jog or swimming. Regular exercise can help reduce the total amount of anxiety you may have. Aim to at least have 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. However, if you are having difficulty breathing, do catch your breath first.
7. Learn to let go. Learning to be more comfortable with uncertainty is challenging. However, a level of acceptance of the unknown is something that we can all strive to attain. After all, there are things that we cannot control, and all we can work on are the things that we can change today – not tomorrow, the next month, or the next year.
8. Understand that many people also have anxiety. Finding a support system of people in your network or outside your network can help you cope with these symptoms together. Anxiety disorder and panic attacks are now more prevalent than ever, and it is okay not to be perfectly fine.
9. Consult with a psychiatrist. Sometimes, a thyroid problem, medications, or recreational drugs can increase anxiety levels, and it may be worth seeking a consult with a psychiatrist. Therapy can help reduce negative thinking patterns and help you cope with uncertainties and fears. Prescription medications such as benzodiazepines (like clonazepam and alprazolam) can help acutely reduce symptoms of anxiety. Remember, these medications can be highly addictive, so decreasing your dose may benefit your body. Long-term anxiety medications, like escitalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine, may also benefit you as first-line therapy. Many psychiatrists are available through teleconsultation, allowing you to reach them during a panic or anxiety attack, and help keep attacks under your control.

The post What do I do if I am having a panic attack or anxiety attack? appeared first on NowServing Health.