Estrés y ansiedad: síntomas y causas
Stress and Anxiety: Symptoms and Possible Causes.
We all experience anxiety in certain situations. However, when an intense, persistent, and frequent worry is felt, one may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. These concerns can interfere with daily activities and may be accompanied by episodes of panic and fear, making them challenging to manage.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is defined as the response that activates our body and initiates defense mechanisms in a specific circumstance. Faced with certain situations, an emotional response is generated, varying based on the stimulus causing anxiety. This may include feelings of fear, restlessness, nervousness, and unease. The symptoms can be psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and social in nature.
What is Stress?
Stress occurs when a person lacks the necessary adaptive capacity to adjust to specific situations, feeling overwhelmed by circumstances, triggering stress responses that can be emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. It often arises due to external factors.
What are the Symptoms?
In today’s context, mental health ranks among the most crucial topics that demand serious attention. Anxiety, as a disorder, affects numerous individuals throughout their lives and can manifest in various ways depending on how the mind perceives it.
Some physiological changes that may occur include increased heart rate, excessive sweating, tremors, sensations of breathlessness, restlessness, and the urge to move, chills, or even a sense of unreality. Occasional anxiety is not alarming, but when frequent, it can cause severe disruptions in a person’s life, leading to:
- Inability to rest well
- Irritability and an agitated state
- Excessive sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Constant fatigue
- Physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, or nausea.
Consequences
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a common anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable worry. Individuals may fret about negative occurrences affecting them or their loved ones, sometimes unable to pinpoint a specific source of concern.
Panic Disorder is a condition that induces panic attacks—moments of extreme fear accompanied by rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition causing flashbacks or anxiety due to a traumatic experience.
Social Phobia triggers intense anxiety in situations involving interaction with others.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves repetitive thoughts and the compulsion to perform specific ritualistic actions.
Treatment
When manageable, it’s possible to reduce the impact of stress on health. Try these tips when feeling stressed:
- Identify stress factors.
- Talk to a therapist or counselor.
- Exercise and adopt an active lifestyle.
- Practice meditation.
- Engage in enjoyable activities.
At Equilibrium Therapeutic Center, we are committed to supporting our patients and their families at every step, aiming for a transformative journey towards a life without anxiety.
