Social Anxiety Disorder Exposed

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Here we look at how panic attacks and anxiety attacks can cause depression, physical symptoms,social phobia and intense fear. If you have ever suffered a panic attack you will relate to anxiety attacks as they are much the same.

Anxiety attacks and depression seem to go hand in hand. Anxiety attacks are very common but many suffer in silence. Depression alone can be difficult, when a sufferer has both of these it can make surviving each say a struggle. Does depression make anxiety worse or does anxiety cause depression? Either way I believe they are linked.

Living with intense fear ruins lives, not only our own but of our families and our children. Mothers may have intense fear that something may happen to their children, this intense fear is so powerful we believe it to be true.

What is Anxiety?

We all feel anxiety, it is our bodies way of telling us that something may be something wrong. Anxiety prevents us from putting ourselves in danger but anxiety can also prevent us from living a normal life, this is when we suffer from what is known as an anxiety disorder or panic attacks.

Anxiety attacks or panic attacks can make the sufferers life seem unbearable, non manageable, it can occur at any time without warning.

The symptoms of a panic attack can be very frightening and distressing reports NHS Choices . Symptoms of a panic attack tend to occur very suddenly, without warning and often for no apparent reason. As well as overwhelming feelings of anxiety , a panic attack can also cause the following symptoms:

• a sensation that your heart is beating irregularly (palpitations)
• sweating
• trembling
• hot flushes
• chills
• shortness of breath
• a choking sensation
• chest pain
• nausea
• dizziness
• feeling faint
• numbness, or pins and needles
• dry mouth
• a need to go to the toilet
• ringing in your ears
• a feeling of dread, or a fear of dying
• a churning stomach
• a tingling sensation in fingers
• shivering
• shaking

Anxiety disorder can lead to sufferers experiencing social phobia, they are no longer able to be sociable (social anxiety disorder) and engage in activities. It can have detrimental abilities upon their work capabilities and can cause sleep distribution. The feelings of anxiety can manifest depression and constant worry. It becomes difficult to know what is real. Social phobia takes away friends, our career and the things we once loved.

Panic attacks and an anxiety disorder are treatable, if treatment is not received this can manifest into a cycle of long term suffering that can last for many years.

Panic attack sufferers can feel they are having a heart attack and believe they are even going insane. They have the feeling to run away, to escape the fear that is approaching them. This causes fear, confusion and can be very emotionally draining, loss of control over ones mind and body can be very difficult to cope with. They prefer to stay home than to go out.

Generalized anxiety disorder

GAD; Anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a pattern of frequent, constant worry and anxiety over many different activities and events. source

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common condition. Genes may play a role. Stress may also contribute to the development of GAD.

Anyone can develop this disorder, even kids. Most people with the disorder report that they have been anxious for as long as they can remember. GAD occurs somewhat more often in women than in men.

The main symptom is the almost constant presence of worry or tension, even when there is little or no cause. Worries seem to float from one problem to another, such as family or relationship problems, work issues, money, health, and other problems.

Even when aware that their worries or fears are stronger than needed, a person with GAD still has difficulty controlling them.

Other symptoms include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Problems falling or staying asleep, and sleep that is often restless and unsatisfying
• Restlessness, and often becoming startled very easily

Along with the worries and anxieties, a number of physical symptoms may also be present, including muscle tension (shakiness, headaches) and stomach problems, such as nausea or diarrhea.

Do you worry excessively about things that are unlikely to happen, or feel tense and anxious all day long with no real reason? Everyone gets anxious sometimes, but if your worries and fears are so constant that they interfere with your ability to function and relax, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is mentally and physically exhausting. It drains your mental energy, keeps you from sleeping and unwinding, and wears your body out. But you don’t have to live it. You can break free from the grip of chronic worrying and learn to calm down your anxious mind. source

Social Anxiety Disorder & Physical Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder ( SAD or SAnD ) ( DSM-IV 300.23) , also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear in social situations [ 1 ] causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some parts of daily life. The diagnosis of social anxiety disorder can be of a specific disorder (when only some particular situations are feared) or a generalized disorder. Generalized social anxiety disorder typically involves a persistent, intense, chronic fear of being judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by one’s own actions. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from others. While the fear of social interaction may be recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable, overcoming it can be quite difficult. Physical symptoms often accompanying social anxiety disorder include excessive blushing , sweating ( hyperhidrosis ), trembling , palpitations , nausea , and stammering often accompanied with rapid speech. Panic attacks may also occur under intense fear and discomfort. An early diagnosis may help minimize the symptoms and the development of additional problems, such as depression . Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. It is common for sufferers of social phobia to self-medicate in this fashion, especially if they are undiagnosed, untreated, or both; this can lead to alcoholism, eating disorders or other kinds of substance abuse. source

Physical symptoms of anxiety can include Palpitations (Heart Beating Hard and/or Fast or Pounding), Sweating - Perspiration, Trembling or Shaking , Shortness of Breath – Breathlessness – Difficulty Breathing , Difficulty Swallowing, Sharp Pains in the Chest or Chest Discomfort , Abdominal Pain, Nausea and Vomiting, Dizziness – Lightheadedness – Faintness, Hot or Cold Flashes,

Do you suffer from panic attacks?

Do you suffer from anxiety disorder?

Do you believe attacks and depression are linked?

Can you describe the intense fear?

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