Neurology Diagnostics

Archive for the ‘Anxiety’ Category

Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder include the use of medication and specific forms of psychotherapy, the most effective treatment for GAD often combines psychotherapy and medication.

The drugs are very effective to relieve symptoms of anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications may be used with antidepressants or anxiolytic effect (not all antidepressants have it).

The benzodiazepine anxiolytics should not be used for longer than one month and that over time tend to produce habituation and a need to increase the dose.

TAG Being a long-term disorder as recommended for psychopharmacological management of symptoms of anxiety is the use of anxiolytic effect associated with antidepressants.

The following antidepressants are approved by the FDA for the treatment of GAD: Escitalopram, Venlafaxine XR / LP, duloxetine and paroxetine. Antidepressants, Anxiolytics unlike benzodiazepines, does not produce habituation (tolerance), therefore there is no risk of generating a drug addiction.

Read the rest of this entry »

Symptoms related to culture, age and sex:

There are considerable cultural variations on the expression of anxiety (eg, in some cultures express anxiety through somatic symptoms predominate, and in others through cognitive symptoms).

It is important to take into account the cultural context when assessing the excessiveness of some concern.

In children and adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety and worry often refer to the performance or competence at school or sports, even when these individuals are not evaluated by others. Sometimes timeliness is the issue that concerns focused excessive.

Other times, catastrophic events such as earthquakes or nuclear war. Children with the disorder can appear overtly conforming, perfectionist, unsure of themselves and inclined to repeat their work by an excessive disparity to the view that the results do not reach perfection.

In pursuing the approval of others may show a characteristic jealousy, excessive need to ensure the quality of performance or other issues that motivate their concern. In general, the symptoms of GAD tend to decrease with age.

The disorder is slightly more common in females than in males when studying samples of centers (approximately 55-60% of diagnoses are made in women). In epidemiological studies of general population the sex ratio is two thirds for women.

The main symptom is anxiety, which is persistent over time (longer than 6 months) and widespread, a wide range of events or activities (such as work or school performance), not being restricted to a particular situation as phobias or occurring solely in the form of crisis, as in the case of panic.

The state of anxiety is almost constant, oscillating slightly during the course of the day and affecting sleep quality.

Anxiety is frequently associated with excessive worry (apprehensive expectation call). For example: fear that a close relative or the person who suffers from this disorder may have an accident, illness or death. The person finds it difficult to control this state of constant concern.

Anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following symptoms:

*Nervousness, restlessness or impatience
*Fatigue (tiredness) easy
*Difficulty concentrating or making the mind blank
*Irritability
*Muscle tension, tremor, headache (headache), leg movement and inability to relax
*Sleep disturbance: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up not feeling rested well (restless sleep)
*Sweating, palpitations or tachycardia, gastrointestinal problems, dry mouth, dizziness, hyperventilation (increase in the number of breaths per minute).

Read the rest of this entry »

Theorists like Paul Tillich and psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud described this kind of anxiety as the “trauma of nonbeing.” The human being comes at a time in his life where he realizes that there is the possibility of ceasing to exist (die). It then develops the anxiety about the reality and existence. According to Tillich and Freud, religion becomes an important mechanism for dealing with this type of anxiety, since many religions define death as a divine and eternal continuity of life on earth as opposed to the complete end of existence.

According to Viktor Frankl, author of the book Man’s Search for Meaning (in English), the lowest instincts of the human face of mortal danger is to find a way of life to combat this “trauma of non- being “at the approach of death, when the temptation to succumb to (even by suicide) is very strong.

At its highest level, anxiety is manifested by a total grip on the individual who loses his perceptions of the environment, time, emotions to which he is accustomed. We then speak of “Raptus anxiety” (eg following an overdose on amphetamines). The degree of intensity may be so great that it is virtually essential to practice medical treatment.

For psychoanalysis, the anxiety is distinguished from anxiety, the nature (object loss, depression, psychosis, castration) should be investigated in the framework of psychoanalytic interviews in order to establish its intrapsychic function for illuminate the point of view of consciousness and beyond in a cure. Also in psychoanalysis, four emotions are repressed and need to be felt among people anxious: fear, regret, frustration and disappointment.

Anxiety is the phenomenological psychiatry biological and behavioral state of alert, somatic and psychological stress, in connection with an unpleasant feeling of fear, anxiety or other emotions. Physiological events may accompany the state of anxiety: dizziness, nausea, palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest of contrition, sweating. However, when physical symptoms are present, one class rather then the phenomenon under the name of anxiety.

When anxiety is unnecessary, or it is disproportionate to its purpose, or caused by disease or intake of a substance, known as anxiety disorders, which are a condition in which an individual does longer able to control his anxiety

Article written by Rob Stone

There are many times in our lives when we think that things are difficult and indeed stressful but to me one of the most daunting and difficult jobs we have is the one of parenthood. Although women will not appreciate it I felt as a man very stressful the moment our first child appeared on the hospital monitor when the good lady was just a few weeks pregnant. You are immediately conjuring up thoughts in your mind, will the baby be okay, will my wife be okay, how will we cope with another mouth to feed, will we manage on one wage, is my job secure. All in all then many worries and stresses rush through you and your baby is still several months away from being born.

Even if you manage to overcome some anxious moments the role of parenthood is still difficult. Sadly in this day and age and the virtual abolition of what was once called a job for life in many industries the anxiety of keeping a job is paramount and the stress unbelievable. Although you do your best to keep all this pressure to yourself and to not let it affect the children it is easier said than done.

Should your anxiety affect your kids then you are in need of help. Anxiousness causes irritation and sometimes short temperedness. This is all the result of the physical symptoms. Nausea, dizziness, butterflies in your stomach sometimes even in extreme cases actual breathing can cause pain. Days, sometimes weeks are disrupted by anxiety. How can you possible be a good parent when your life is being disrupted by perhaps the threat of redundancy for example? It is difficult to say the least.

How can you let this NOT affect your children? To start with you must check on exactly how the anxiety is affecting you. Do you shout a lot, is your temper almost at boiling point. Children are not stupid and whatever age they are will pick up on these traits and might even be frightened of you. They will undoubtedly pick up the negative vibes that are emanating from you and from your good lady if your anxiety is affecting her as well. You must do your utmost to ensure that your relationship with your children and your partner is not ruined.

Try and observe how your anxiety attitude is affecting your children. Do they appear to panic when you do? If you rush around do you expect them to do the same? Anxiety can definitely be contagious. If it is not possible to pick up any problems with them then check discreetly with their teachers or friends. If problems are occurring then do not panic (this is where we came in!) because it is always possible to patch things up. Remember that children need security and love and that is exactly what you should intend to give them.

Your children will have noticed that things are not how they should be indoors so talk to them. Explain as simply as you can about problems and reach a decision to cope together as a family. This will give them a degree of security and hopefully make them aware that they are also helping you with your own anxiety. You can all help each other. One good way to help is to do breathing exercises together. A family breath-in! Helping everyone at the same time. You feel more relaxed and these relaxing vibes for want of a better expression are seeping through all of you. Quality time is also essential. Give them some of your time. Try and teach them the true way of breathing.

Place a large mat on the floor and turn the TV off. Place chairs in a circle so you can see face to face. All of you sit down and place your hands on your lap. Inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven and exhale for a count of eight. This is just one way that I have tried and tested successfully.

Worrying can only make matters worse. If anxiety is affecting your children all you need is to provide a helping hand. It is difficult for some but well worth the effort.

Rob Stone writes many articles on Health and Fitness to Home Improvement and Childrens Toys such as Nitro RC Cars.