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Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety Disorders

Introduction

What is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention.

Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Along with depression, anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans.

Anxiety Disorders, include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioural disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.

It is evident that these two states overlap, nevertheless they also differ, as fear is more often associated with surges of autonomic arousal necessary for fight or flight, thoughts of immediate danger, and escape behaviours, while anxiety is more often associated with muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future danger and cautious or avoidant behaviours.

Occasionally the level of fear or anxiety is reduced by pervasive avoidance behaviours. Panic attacks feature prominently within the anxiety disorders as a particular type of fear response. Panic attacks are not limited to anxiety disorders but rather can be seen in other mental disorders as well.

Since individuals with anxiety disorders typically overestimate the danger in situations they fear or avoid, the primary determination of whether the fear or anxiety is excessive or out of proportion is made by the clinician, taking cultural contextual factors into account. Many of the anxiety disorders develop in childhood and tend to persist if not treated. Most occur more frequently in females than in males (approximately 2:1 ratio). Each anxiety disorder is diagnosed only when the symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance/medication or to another medical condition or are not better explained by another mental disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders include the following:

  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
  • Selective Mutism
  • Specific Phobia
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Panic Attack Specifier
  • Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
  • Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
  • Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
  • Unspecified Anxiety Disorder

What differs among the types of anxiety disorders are the types of objects or situations that induce fear, anxiety, or avoidance behaviour, and the associated cognitive ideation. Thus, while the anxiety disorders tend to be highly comorbid with each other, they can be differentiated by close examination of the types of situations that are feared or avoided and the content of the associated thoughts or beliefs.

Moreover, anxiety disorders differ from developmentally normative fear or anxiety by being excessive or persisting beyond developmentally appropriate periods. They differ from transient fear or anxiety, often stress-induced, by being persistent (e.g., typically lasting 6 months or more), although the criterion for duration is intended as a general guide with allowance for some degree of flexibility and is sometimes of shorter duration in children (as in separation anxiety disorder and selective mutism).

The Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety can manifest itself in many forms. However, all anxiety disorders share some general symptoms such as:

  • Nervousness (panic, fear and uneasiness)
  • Sense of danger or doom
  • Excessive tension or a sense of fear that is unwarranted
  • Sleeplessness
  • Restlessness (not being able to stay calm and still)
  • Feeling cold or overheated
  • Excessive perspiration, sweaty
  • Numb or tingling hands or feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heartbeat, palpitation
  • Chest pain
  • Rapid breathing, hyperventilating
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Tense muscles
  • Dizziness
  • Trembling
  • Weakness
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Elevated serum level

Causes of or Risk Factors for Anxiety Disorder

Researchers don’t know exactly what brings on anxiety disorders. Fear and anxiety are cousins. However, unlike fear, which focuses on something, like a frightening event that we must face; anxiety has no precipitation cause but a combination of factors can play a role, such as:

Physical Factors

  • Genetics
  • Brain biochemistry
  • Certain drugs, (both recreational and medical can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug.)
  • Life circumstances
  • In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety.
  • Exposure to stressful life events in childhood and adulthood
  • Shyness, or behavioural inhibition, in childhood

Emotional Factors

  • Overactive “fight or flight” response (This can be caused by too much stress.)
  • Environmental stress
  • Personality (People who have low self-esteem and poor coping skills may be more prone)

Spiritual Factor

  • Researchers don’t know exactly what brings on anxiety disorders because it is mainly a spiritual problem. Man consist of three sides, body (physical), soul (includes emotions), and spirit. Often times, the spiritual side is the link that is neglected or ignored, yet it is as vital to understanding and dealing with the other two. We are spiritual beings and are affected by spiritual influences. Just as God and His angels are acknowledged, it is necessary to know that there is also a reality of the Devil (Satan) and his demons. Much of the suffering we see today is directly caused by the devil and his demons as his only aim is “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10).

Effects of Anxiety Disorders

Fear and anxiety can cripple both our physical and emotional functioning. They also put us in spiritual bondages that hinder our relationship to God. The following are some effects of anxiety disorders.

Physical effects

  • Anxiety can trigger the “flight or fight” stress response, which releases a flood of chemicals and hormones like adrenaline into your system. In the short term, this increases your pulse and breathing rate so your brain can get more oxygen. You are now prepared to respond appropriately to an intense situation. Your immune system may even get a brief boost. Your body will return to normal functioning when the stress passes.
  • If you repeatedly feel anxious and stressed, or if it lasts a long time, your body never gets the signal to return to normal functioning. That can weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to viral infections. According to Harvard Medical School, studies have shown an increased rate of anxiety and panic attacks in people with chronic respiratory disease (COPD). COPD patients with anxiety tend to be hospitalized more often. Prolonged stress may lead to a general feeling of ill health. Vaccines may be less effective in people with anxiety disorders.
  • Your excretory and digestive systems also suffer. According to Harvard Medical School, there may be a connection between anxiety disorders and the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after a bowel infection. IBS can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation.
  • Anxiety disorder may cause loss of appetite and lack of interest in sex.
  • The constant state of stress can lead to clinical depression. You are also at increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. If you already have heart disease, anxiety disorders may raise the risk of coronary events.

Emotional effects

  • Frequent panic attacks can cause you to fear the anxiety attacks themselves, thereby increasing overall anxiety.
  • Irrational and excessive fear and worry
  • Feeling alone
  • Feeling of apprehension and dread
  • Watching for signs danger
  • Anticipating the worst
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feeling tense and jumpy
  • Irritability
  • Feeling like your mind’s gone blank

Spiritual effects

  • Anxiety Disorders hampers our relationship to God.
  • Difficulty praying and reading the Bible due to lack of concentration and persistent fear and worry.
  • Isolation from Christians – infrequent Church attendance due to fear.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

Most people with the condition try one or more of these cures:

The Physical Side

Medication: Many antidepressants are used for anxiety disorders. They include escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Certain anticonvulsant medicines (typically taken for epilepsy) and low-dose antipsychotic drugs can be added to help make other treatments work better. Anxiolytics are also drugs that help lower anxiety. Examples are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). They’re prescribed for social or generalized anxiety disorders as well as for panic attacks.

The Emotional Side

Psychotherapy: This is also referred to as “talk therapy” and is a type of counselling that addresses the emotional response to mental illness. A mental health specialist helps you by talking about how to understand and deal with your anxiety disorder.

Cognitive behavioural therapy which is a certain type of psychotherapy that teaches you how to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviours that trigger deep anxiety or panic is often used.

The Spiritual Side

All types of anxiety disorders have a common spiritual thread – the lack of God’s peace in our lives. God’s Word says in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

God also promises us that His peace, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus if we be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6-7).

Furthermore Colossians 3:15 admonishes us, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Moreover, according to 2 Timothy 1:7, “… God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.

Additionally, 1 John 4:18 tells us that, “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Therefore, God’s Word is one sure cure in one’s life. One can trust His promise and seek His overflowing “shalom” peace through:

  • Reading the Bible and meditating on the Word of God: Daily meditate on God’s Word and read aloud scriptures that come against fear and worry.
  • Write down the scripture that come against fear and worry. Put them in places where you can see them. Also attach sticky notes to your computer or other anchor scriptures with magnets on your refrigerator.
  • Quote scriptures aloud three times a day as a day before meals (or as often as you deem necessary), meditate on them throughout the day and again quote the scriptures before going to bed.
  • Pray: Pray as often as you are able to. Quote scriptures in your prayers and think on the promises of God.
  • Letting the peace of God (a peace so wonderful that it cannot be compared to any other type of peace; a peace that stands in a category by itself and rises far above and goes beyond anything the human mind could ever think, reason, imagine, or produce by itself) which stands at the entrance of our hearts and minds, working like a guard to control, monitor, and screen everything that tries to access our minds, hearts, and emotions; call the shots in our lives, be the umpire in our lives and actions, and act as a referee in our emotions and decision.”
  • Telling others about the promise of His peace
  • Listen to gospel music and spend time praising and worshipping God.
  • Attending Church and fellowshipping with other Christians

Self-Help and Coping

There are a number of things people do to help cope with symptoms of anxiety disorders and make treatment more effective. The following tips may help you control or lessen your symptoms:

  • Stress management techniques and meditation can be helpful.
  • Support groups (in-person or online) can provide an opportunity to share experiences and coping strategies.
  • Learning more about the specifics of a disorder and helping family and friends to understand better can also be helpful.
  • Avoid caffeine, which can worsen symptoms, and check with your doctor about any medications.
  • Eat right, 
  • Exercise, brisk aerobic exercises like jogging and biking help release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood.
  • Get better sleep, sleep problems and anxiety disorder often go hand in hand. Make getting good rest a priority. Follow a relaxing bedtime routine. Talk to your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping.

Avoiding Relapse

To avoid relapse maintain a life of peace instead of anxiety, that is, enjoy a peaceful life with proper nutrition, exercise, rest and sleep, reduce stress, memorizing and meditating on the Word of God, praying, et cetera.

Keep in mind that in John 16:33, even Jesus said “…In this world you will go through some distressing times. But take heart and be courageous, for I have overcome the world; I am still overcoming the world; and I will always be in an overcoming position over the world!”

In addition, the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 encourages us that, “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Conclusion

Contrary to the belief of some, anxiety disorders are real and treatable illnesses and there are a number of effective services available for treating anxiety disorders. Once properly diagnosed and treated, most people with anxiety disorders will overcome them as treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.

If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of anxiety disorders, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns and request a thorough evaluation. Also, remember to seek spiritual help through pastoral care. This is a start to addressing mental health needs.

If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to talk with you. Know that you are not alone and you are in my prayers. Blessings!

References

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th Ed.). Washington, DC.

American Psychiatric Association. Help With Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved 9th October 2017 from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders

American Psychiatric Association.What Are Anxiety Disorders? Retrieved 9th October 2017 from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders

Colbert, Don (MD). (1999). The Bible cure for depression and anxiety. Florida: Siloam.

Healthline. Recognizing anxiety symptoms, signs, and risk factors. Retrieved 9th October 2017 from: https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/effects-on-body

National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved 9th October 2017 from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml