Introduction
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and perceived dangers, and it can even be beneficial in circumstances that call for vigilance or attention (Cattell, 2013).
However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming it may be categorised as an anxiety disorder, which includes a variety of conditions that include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), which is characterized by excessive and chronic worry about life and can present with physical symptoms like fatigue and muscle tension; panic disorder, which is characterized by intense and sudden panic attacks and a fear of future attacks; social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by an intense fear of social situations and fear of embarrassment and negative evaluation, leading to avoidance of social settings; and specific phobias, which are intense and irrational fear of specific situations or things, leading to distress and avoidance when the phobic trigger is present (Zinbarg et al., 2023).
Basis of Anxiety Disorders
The biological basis of anxiety includes intricate interactions between neurochemistry, brain structure, and genetics. Major areas in the brain, such as the amygdala, which processes emotions, and the hippocamus, which stores memories, interact to assess. In the case of anxiety disorders, the amygdala may become overactive and the hippocamus may display distorted memories that influence individuals' fear response. Imbalance in neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin can also affect anxiety and mood regulation (Azargoonjahromi, 2023).
Genetics may play a part in anxiety disorders, where individuals with a family history of this disorder would be at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders (Purves et al., 2019; Ask et al., 2021). Other than the genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders, environmental factors like prolonged stress and trauma play a significant role (Ibid., 2019; Ibid., 2021). There might also be an interplay of genetics and environmental factors, in instances, where the predisposition to anxiety could be triggered by trauma (Ibid., 2019; Ibid., 2021).
Management and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This involves cognitive restructuring, which identifies and disputes irrational thoughts that trigger anxiety; exposure therapy, which gradually introduces the feared stimuli to desensitize and lessen avoidance; and behavioral technique, which includes mindfulness and relaxation and breathing exercise to control physiological symptoms of anxiety (Otte, 2011; Apolinário-Hagen et al., 2020).
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This therapy encourages individuals to commit to behaviours that are consistent with their values while accepting their anxious thoughts instead of trying to alter them. By practicing mindfulness, which involves focusing on the present rather than worrying about the future or the past, ACT helps people become more aware of and detached from their anxious thoughts (Apolinário-Hagen et al., 2020).
Medication: This does not address the root causes of anxiety disorders, but can alleviate its symptoms, especially in severe cases (Hollingworth et al., 2010). To treat these symptoms, medications such as beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed (Ibid., 2010; Wetherell et al., 2013).
Conclusion
Understanding anxiety disorders involve examining a combination of biological, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors. Understanding these elements provides a foundation for effective treatments and management, such as CBT, ACT, and medication, which aim to empower individuals to manage their anxiety. With appropriate support and interventions, many individuals can achieve substantial relief and improve their quality of life by learning to navigate and cope with anxiety disorders in healthier, more adaptive ways.
References
Apolinário-Hagen, J., Drüge, M., & Fritsche, L. (2020). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Integrating Traditional with Digital Treatment Approaches. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1191, 291–329.
Ask, H., Cheesman, R., Jami, E. S., Levey, D. F., Purves, K. L., & Weber, H. (2021). Genetic contributions to anxiety disorders: where we are and where we are heading. Psychological Medicine, 51(13), 1–16.
Azargoonjahromi, A. (2023). The role of epigenetics in anxiety disorders. Molecular Biology Reports, 50(11), 9625–9636.
Cattell, R. (2013). Anxiety and Motivation: Theory and Crucial Experiments. In C. Spielberger (Ed.), Anxiety and Behavior (pp. 23–62). Academic Press Inc.
Hollingworth, S. A., Burgess, P., & Whiteford, H. (2010). Affective and anxiety disorders: prevalence, treatment and antidepressant medication use. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(6), 513–519.
Otte, C. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: current state of the evidence. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13(4).
Purves, K. L., Coleman, J. R. I., Meier, S. M., Rayner, C., Davis, K. A. S., Cheesman, R., Bækvad-Hansen, M., Børglum, A. D., Wan Cho, S., Jürgen Deckert, J., Gaspar, H. A., Bybjerg-Grauholm, J., Hettema, J. M., Hotopf, M., Hougaard, D., Hübel, C., Kan, C., McIntosh, A. M., Mors, O., & Bo Mortensen, P. (2019). A major role for common genetic variation in anxiety disorders. Molecular Psychiatry, 25(12).
Wetherell, J. L., Petkus, A. J., White, K. S., Nguyen, H., Kornblith, S., Andreescu, C., Zisook, S., & Lenze, E. J. (2013). Antidepressant Medication Augmented With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(7), 782–789.
Zinbarg, R., Williams, A., Kramer, A., & Schmidt, M. (2023). Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobia. In R. Krueger & P. Blaney (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Psychopathology (pp. 147–180). Oxford University Press.
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