ANXIETY
Anxiety- is an emotion which is characterised by an unpleasant state of
inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events. Anxiety
is different from fear in that fear is defined as the emotional response to a
present threat, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future one.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type.
Psychological symptoms may include:
Feeling panic, fear, dread and uneasiness.
Feeling on edge or irritable.
Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.
Difficulty concentrating.
Physical symptoms may include:
Restlessness.
Heart palpitations.
Shortness of breath.
Muscle tension.
Cold or sweaty hands.
Dry mouth.
Nausea.
Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
Causes
Like other types of mental health conditions, researchers don’t know exactly
what causes anxiety disorders. But they think a combination of factors plays
a role:
Chemical imbalances: Several neurotransmitters and hormones play
a role in anxiety, including norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Imbalances in these chemicals can
contribute to an anxiety disorder.
Brain changes: A part of your brain called the amygdala plays an
important role in managing fear and anxiety. Studies show that people
with anxiety disorders show increased amygdala activity in response to
anxiety cues.
Genetics: Anxiety disorders tend to run in biological families. This
suggests that genetics may play a role. You may be at an increased
risk of developing one if you have a first-degree relative (biological
parent or sibling) with an anxiety disorder.
Environmental factors: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the
balance of neurotransmitters that control your mood. Experiencing a
lot of stress over a long period can contribute to an anxiety disorder.
Experiencing a traumatic event can also trigger anxiety disorders.
SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER
A. Separation anxiety disorder- is an anxiety disorder in which an
individual experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from
home and/or from people to whom the individual has a strong
emotional attachment. Separation anxiety is a natural part of the
developmental process.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when symptoms are much more
than expected for someone’s developmental age and cause major distress or
problems doing daily activities. Symptoms may include:
Repeated and intense distress when thinking about separation or when
away from home or loved ones. This may include being clingy or
having tantrums about separation that last longer or are more severe
than other kids of the same age.
Constant, intense worry about losing a parent or other loved one to an
illness, death, or a disaster or harm coming to them.
Constant worry that something bad will happen, such as being lost or
kidnapped, causing separation from parents or other loved ones.
Not wanting to or refusing to be away from home because of fear of
separation.
Not wanting to be home alone or somewhere without a parent or other
loved one close by, if the child has reached an age where being alone
might be expected.
Not wanting to or refusing to sleep away from home or to go to sleep
without a parent or other loved one nearby, if the child has reached an
age where these activities might be expected.
Repeated nightmares about separation.
Repeated complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or other symptoms
during or before separation from a parent or other loved one.
Separation anxiety disorder may occur along with panic attacks. Panic
attacks are repeated bouts of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or
terror that reach a peak within minutes.
Causes
Sometimes, separation anxiety can be triggered by life stress that results in
separation from a loved one. Examples include divorce of parents, changing
schools, moving to a new location or a loved one’s death. Genetics may play
a role in separation anxiety becoming separation anxiety disorder.
