What is Anxiety?
Risk Factors for Anxiety Disorder
- Genetics: Family members with anxiety disorders may have increased the risk for you.
- Brain chemistry: Research shows that people with anxiety disorders have lower levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mood.
- Environment: Traumatic experiences can also trigger an anxiety disorder.
- Gender: Women experience anxiety disorders more often than men.
- Substance abuse: Abusing drugs, alcohol, and medications can lead to both anxiety and depression.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders that are characterized by feelings of extreme anxiety and worry that are out of proportion to real dangers. People experiencing an anxiety disorder may have trouble controlling their worries. They often have trouble sleeping, feel tense, and have muscle spasms. Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common type of anxiety disorder. It is when someone experiences constant worry or anxiety over a long period of time. Panic disorder is when you have sudden and repeated attacks of intense fear and anxiety. You may also have physical symptoms like shortness of breath or feeling like your heart is racing out of control. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is when you experience recurring and uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors. Post-traumatic stress disorder is when you have disturbing memories and nightmares after experiencing a traumatic event. Social phobia is another common type of anxiety disorder; this condition causes people to feel nervous in social situations.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses characterized by feelings of fear and worry that are out of proportion to real dangers. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. People with anxiety often feel tense and restless, have trouble sleeping, and may feel tired and irritable. They often have trouble controlling their worry. Some people with anxiety disorders also have another mental illness at the same time. Anxiety disorder symptoms include:
- Feeling tense and restless
- Having trouble sleeping
- Feeling tired and irritable
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having a feeling of impending doom
- Experiencing muscle spasms
- Having frequent headaches
- Having trouble swallowing
Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders
- Medication: If you get a diagnosis of anxiety disorder, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, or beta-blockers.
- Therapy: Psychotherapy helps you reduce the symptoms of, and get rid of, an anxiety disorder. Your treatment plan may incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy, which has been shown to help treat anxiety. However, it is ultimately up to the discretion of your mental health professional to determine which method will help your recovery best.
- Self-help: There are many books and apps that can give you relief by helping you manage anxiety.
- Support groups: Talking to others who have anxiety can be very helpful.
- Relaxation techniques: Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and muscle tension by giving you a stronger sense of your body and making you more aware of the present moment.
What Are the Causes of Anxiety Disorder?
- Negative thinking: Some people have a negative outlook on life. This can make them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
- Traumatic events: Experiencing a traumatic event can change how your brain works. This can make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
- Brain chemistry: Anxiety disorders are often linked to having lower levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate behavior.
- Stress: Chronic stress can trigger an anxiety disorder in some people.
- Alcohol abuse – Alcohol dependence can lead to a rise in stress hormones, and it can also cause poor decision-making. As addiction becomes stronger, adverse effects on a person’s social interactions, financial situation, and family life can lead to anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders.
Self-Medicating for Anxiety Disorder
Does Substance Abuse Cause Anxiety?
Using Alcohol to Cope with Social Anxiety
Does Marijuana Cause Panic Attacks?
Benzodiazepine Abuse and Addiction
What Other Mental Disorders Does Substance Abuse Cause?
Is Anxiety a Withdrawal Symptom?
What is the relationship between anxiety and addiction?
Signs and Symptoms of a Substance Use Disorder
- Worrying more and focusing less on daily activities
- Experiencing mood swings and experiencing highs and lows
- Experiencing feelings of restlessness and irritability
- Experiencing feelings of anxiety, such as panic attacks, that cause distress
- Experiencing feelings of depression, such as sadness and a lack of interest in things
- Experiencing physical symptoms, such as headaches, sweating, and muscle aches
- Experiencing changes in appetite, either eating more or less than usual
- Experiencing changes in your sleeping patterns, either sleeping less or more than usual
What are the Psychological and Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?
- Feeling anxiety, such as stress and the constant feeling of being on edge
- Experiencing physical symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, or feeling hot and cold
- Experiencing changes in your sleeping patterns, either sleeping less or more than usual
- Experiencing changes in your eating habits, either eating more or less than usual
- Experiencing restlessness and feelings of irritability
- Experiencing feelings of sadness and a lack of interest in things
What is a Dual Diagnosis of Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder?
The Risks of Having an Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder at the Same Time
- Complicating treatment. Anxiety can make it more difficult to follow treatment plans, as it often requires more frequent appointments as well as the utilization of different strategies. Anxiety can also make it more challenging to understand treatment information and schedules.
- Treatment dropout. Anxiety may cause you to miss treatment appointments, and you might not follow through with the recommended treatment as diligently as you would like. This can hinder treatment progress and result in incomplete treatment.
- Inability to regulate substance use. Anxiety can make it more difficult to avoid using substances, and it can increase the risk of relapse.
- Risk of relapse. Substance use disorders can be extremely difficult to overcome without the help of medication-assisted treatment. Anxiety can increase the risk of relapse, and it can make completing treatment difficult.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dual Diagnosis of Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder?
- Anxiety occurring during or after substance use, such as after drinking alcohol or taking a benzodiazepine. – Using substances to cope with anxiety.
- Experiencing insomnia and difficulty sleeping after substance use.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating and shaking, after going without a substance for a prolonged period of time.
- Using one or more substances in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than originally planned.
- Finding that you need to increase the amount of substances you use in order to get the same effect.
How to Get Help for a Dual Diagnosis of Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder?
If you have a dual diagnosis of anxiety and substance use disorder, you will need specialized treatment that helps you overcome these conditions. The best way to get help if you have a dual diagnosis of anxiety and substance use disorder is to seek out a treatment facility that is specialized in treating co-occurring disorders. Treatment programs that specialize in treating co-occurring disorders understand the specific challenges that come with having two conditions at the same time and can provide you with the resources you need to overcome these conditions successfully. Find a treatment facility that offers a variety of different treatment options in order to find the best treatment option for you. You may find that you need medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of other treatment methods in order to overcome your conditions successfully. Remember to be patient with yourself as you progress through treatment. You will make mistakes and you will stumble along the way. It is normal to experience relapses along the way, and it doesn’t mean you have failed. Getting help for a dual diagnosis of anxiety and substance use disorder is the first step toward recovery and getting your life back on track.
Read Further:
Mental Illness and Drug Addiction: Dual Diagnosis