Women more prone to anxiety disorders
dubai — Once anxiety goes beyond the limits or persists and interferes in the day-to-day functioning, the pathological anxiety starts, explains Reena Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, Aster Jubilee Medical Complex, Bur Dubai.
“One can feel anxious at school/ office/home, irrespective of age, ethnic status,” she said.
“It is one of the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorders that significantly impair current functioning and portend increased risk for various problems in adolescence and adulthood.”
The ratio is almost double in women than men. Depressive disorders are likely to accompany anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders as a collective entity are pervasive and include various types such as panic disorder (PD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobia (SP), social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders present with a marked amount of psychological tension and distress and are accompanied by a range of bodily and cognitive symptoms such as: > Palpitations > Shortness of breath > Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet An inability to be calm and relax Dry mouth/nausea Muscle tension Dizziness Digestive disturbance Uneasiness in facing people/ other social situations Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts Ritualistic behaviours, such as repeated hand washing Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences > Nightmares > Sleep problems Multiple factors play a role in developing anxiety. Risk factors for anxiety disorders include young age, female gender and familial history.
Genes and neurobiological mechanisms do play a dominant role and it runs in families. It is widely believed that anxiety disorders like other mental disorders can also be triggered due to negative life events, familial problems
> (eg conflicts, abuses) considered as chronic stress-inducing situations, separation/role inversion during childhood, lack of social interaction, peer acceptance and rejection, poor life satisfaction etc.
Luckily due to the modern technologies, treatment of anxiety has become easy. The treatment can be performed in three ways: > Medication: which includes drugs which reduce anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy (cognitive behaviour therapy): It is a series of therapeutic interactions with the doctor. Use of complementary medicines, and modification of lifestyle such as physical activity, meditation and diet with avoidance of caffeine, chocolates, energy and soft drinks, alcohol, and nicotine.