Anxiety Disorders
Synopsis of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that is difficult to control and interferes with daily life. These disorders involve both emotional and physical symptoms such as persistent worry, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
Anxiety becomes classified as a disorder when it is chronic, disproportionate to actual threats, and disruptive to daily functioning. Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions, affecting people of all ages, and often coexist with other mental health conditions like depression, substance abuse, or eating disorders.
Different types of anxiety disorders involve distinct triggers and symptoms but often overlap in their underlying causes and physiological responses.
Types:
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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Chronic worry about everyday situations (work, health, relationships) for at least six months.
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Panic disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks (sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath).
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Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): Intense fear of social situations or judgment by others, leading to avoidance.
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Specific phobias: Excessive fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, spiders).
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Repetitive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Anxiety symptoms triggered by a past traumatic event (often classified separately but related).
Common Causes (Risk Factors):
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Genetic predisposition: Family history of anxiety or mental health disorders.
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Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA, and norepinephrine.
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Personality traits: Perfectionism, sensitivity to stress, low self-esteem.
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Chronic stress or trauma: Abuse, neglect, or significant life changes.
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Medical conditions: Thyroid dysfunction, heart arrhythmias, chronic pain.
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Substance use or withdrawal: Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or drugs can exacerbate symptoms.
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Sleep deprivation: Impairs emotional regulation and increases anxiety sensitivity.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Depression: Common co-occurrence with anxiety disorders.
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Substance abuse: Individuals may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to relieve anxiety.
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Cardiovascular disease: Chronic stress from anxiety increases heart disease risk.
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Digestive issues: Includes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, and chronic indigestion.
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Suicidal thoughts or behaviors: Especially in severe cases with coexisting depression.
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Impaired social or occupational functioning: Social withdrawal, decreased performance, or job loss.
When to See a Doctor or Mental Health Specialist:
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Persistent, excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life
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Recurrent panic attacks or avoidance behaviors
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Sleep disturbances, fatigue, or irritability linked to anxiety
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Substance use as a coping mechanism
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Co-occurring depression or suicidal thoughts
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Physical symptoms (heart palpitations, dizziness, chest tightness) without a medical cause
Natural remedies for Anxiety Disorders
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Structured therapy that helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with anxiety. Considered the gold standard for anxiety disorders.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Combines meditation, body awareness, and yoga to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. Practice regularly.
Regular Exercise (Aerobic, Yoga, Tai Chi): Reduces cortisol, boosts mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, and supports resilience to stress. Aim for 30 minutes, most days of the week.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA, EPA): Support brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve mood stability. Include fatty fish, flaxseed, or fish oil supplements.
Magnesium Supplementation: Calms the nervous system, reduces muscle tension, and supports neurotransmitter function. Consider magnesium glycinate or citrate.
Adaptogenic Herbs (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola): Balance stress hormones and improve emotional resilience. Shown to reduce anxiety symptoms.
L-Theanine (from Green Tea): Promotes relaxation without drowsiness, reduces anxiety and stress. Available in tea or supplement form.
GABA Supplements: Supports inhibitory neurotransmitter activity, promoting calmness and reducing excitability. Use under professional guidance.
Sleep Hygiene Practices: Establishing a consistent sleep routine supports emotional regulation and reduces anxiety. Limit screen time before bed and create a calming environment.
Reduce Stimulants (Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine): These substances can exacerbate anxiety and disrupt sleep. Limit or eliminate as needed.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Anxiety Disorders
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
alpha lipoic acid
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium longum
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
citrus oil
coffee fruit
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
green tea
hemp oil
inositol
kava root
kudzu
l-glycine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus paracasei
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
motherwort
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
peppermint oil
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
selenium
skullcap
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
shen-chu
St. John's Wort
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
cocoa
star of Bethlehem
DMPX
5-Methoxytryptamine
5-HTP (test)
5-HTP
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7-Methoxyflavone
Alcohol
Ashwagandha
Aroma
American Basil
Agmisode
Aliphatic alcohol
Alpha-terpineol
Amethoflavone
Apigenin
Albizia julibrissin
Albizia
Amyloban
Aconite
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Acetylcholine
Adrenergic amines
Amentoflavone
Agmatine sulfate
Albizia (unspecified)
Active Amines
Alkyl (unspecified)
Apigenin
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Alkaloids
Aloe
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agmatine Silicate
Aminobutyric acid (unspecified)
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
alkaloid
Aniracetam
American Bugleweed
Alpha-GPC
Avian (unspecified)
Ash (unspecified)
Australian Sandalwood
Aniracetam
Blend (Combination)
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bifidobacterium longum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
benzenoid (unspecified)
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Bacopin
Beta methoxyphenethylamine
Blend (Non-Nutrient/Non-Botanical)
Bergamot Oil
berry
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Barbed Skullcap
Bacosides (mixed)
Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake)
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa (unspecified)
Bacopa
Blend (non-nutrient/non-botanical)
Bacillus (unspecified)
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Blend (combination)
blend (herb/botanical)
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
B. brevia
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacteria Blend
bacoside
Bacosides
Blue Vervain
Bacopasides
Bacosine
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Bacopa glycoside (unspecified)
Biogenic amine
Blend (combination)
Camellia sinensis
Clary sage
Cannabis
Cannabinoids
Catecholamine
Cannabinol
Cannabigerolic acid
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
California Poppy
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
California Peony
Capitate Valerian
Chamomile (not specified)
Cowslip
Chinese Licorice
Cannabidiol
Cherry Plum
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Clostridium butyricum
Convolvulus prostratus
Chamomile
Cytokines
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Chamomile (unspecified)
Capsules
capsule
Cannabichromene
Cannabidiolic acid
Cannabigerol
D-phenylalanine
DL-Phenyl-Alanine 4,2-Dimethylaminoethyl
Dihydromyricetin
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
DL-phenylalanine
Dopamine
Delivery system
Dendramine
English Lavender
Endorphin (unspecified)
European Vervain
Essential oil (unspecified)
Essential Oil Blend
Flavor
food additive (unspecified)
Flavonoid
Free Form Amino Acid
Flavonoid (mixture)
Flavor
Flavor/Color (Natural & Artificial)
Flavanoid (mixture)
Genseng (not specified)
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Gelsemium
Ginseng, Oriental
Gastrodia
Ginkgo flavones
Glucoside (unspecified)
Griffonia simplicifolia
Griffonia
Gotu Kola
GABA
Ginkgoflavones
Ginkgoside
Guaranine
Gamma amino beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Ginkgo
Ginseng, Panax
Gastrodin
Glutamine precursor (unspecified)
Glycerite
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Honokiol
Holy Basil Herb
Hydroxyethyl adenosine analogs
Hops
Hypericum (unspecified)
hyperforin
Herbal Blend
Holy Basil
hyperforin
Hericium mushroom
Hemp
Huang Hua (unspecified)
Inositol
Inositol
Indian Valerian
Inositol phosphate
Jujubosides
Kavalactone
Kavalactones
Kratom
Kaempferol
Kudzu
Kava kava
Kefir
Kurtha zopfil
L-Acetyl n-Cysteine
lemon balm
L-Tryptophan
L-Tyrosine
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Lithium
Linden
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lithium
Lithium
Lavandin
lemon Verbena
Lavender
Lavandula (unspecified)
Lactobacillus mixed)
Large-Leaved Linden
Lily
Lactobacillus
L-Phenylalanine
Linalool
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Lewis's monkey flower
Motherwort
Macamides
Methoxy phenethylamine
Magnesium Creatine
Magnesium Malate
Mimulus (unspecified)
Melatonin
Monoterpenes
Magnesiium
Marijuana
Magroside
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Magnolia
Melatonin
Meadow sage
Magnesium
Magnolol
Magnesium Taurinate
Mulungu
Magnesium threonate
Mexican valerian
Mesembrine
Magnesium
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-Acetyl Tyrosine
N-acetylcysteine
Nitrous Oxide
Nux Vomica
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-acetyl phenylalanine
Oxiracetam
Oil (unspecified)
Octanol
Orange essential oil
Oxytocin
Osmanthus
Oriental Ginseng
Omega-3
Omega-3
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
Puerain
Pyritinol
Poria Mushrooms
Picamilon
Phosphataidyl ethanolamine
phenylpiracetam
Piracetam
Phenethylamine (PEA)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Paraxanthine
Phenylpropanoids (unspecified)
phosphatidyl inositol
Prebiotic (unspecified)
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pulsatilla
Proprietary Blend (Vitamin)
Pyroglutamic Acid
Panax Ginseng
Peptide (unspecified)
Passiflora (unspecified)
Peptides (unspecified)
Phenolics (unspecified)
Phospatidylinositol
Phosphatidylserine
phenethylamine (PEA)
Passionflower
Phenylalanine
Probiotics
Peptide
Proprietary Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total diet
Phenethylamine
Phthalide
Pearl
Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids
Phosphatidylserine complex
Passionfruit
Phenibut
Proprietary Blend (non-nutrient/non-botanical)
polyphenols (various)
Polypeptide (unspecified)
Probiotic (unspecified)
plant (unspecified)
Peptide (unspecified)
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Phytol
Progesterone
Pregnenolone
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Phenolic (unspecified)
Polygala
Purple Monkeyflower
Rosavins
Reishi mushroom
Rosavins (mixed)
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rauvolfia yunnanensis
Rhodiola sacra
Reishi mushroom
Rock Rose
Rosmarinic Acid
Resin (unspecified)
Rhodiola
Rhodiola crenulata
Rauvolfia vomitoria
Schizonepeta
Spikenard
Sceletium
Scleranthus annus
Skullcap
Sulbutiamine
SAM-e
St. John's Wort
Seratonin
Shankhpushpi
Saffron
Spice (unspecified)
Seasoning (unspecified)
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Sweet Violet
Stellaria dichotoma
Sandalwood
Skullcap (unspecified)
Sage
SAM-e
Saffranal
Serotonin
Terpenoids
Terpene Lactone (unspecified)
Tryptophan
Tea (unspecified)
Terpene
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Tea (mixed)
Thymoquinone
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Theanine
Tyrosine
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Tablet
Theanine
Tagetes
Thai kudzu
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Uncaria sinensis
Valerenic acid
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine phosphate)
Vervain
Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Valerenic acid derivatives
Valine pyroglutamate
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)
Venus's Fly Trap
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine)
Valerian
Vitexin
Vegetarian Capsule
Vitamin C (mixed ascorbates)
valeric acid
Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (not specified)
Vitamin B6 (unspecified)
Violet (unspecified)
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vanillin
Vitamin (unspecified)
Vitamin B1 (Sulbutiamine)
Vitamin B6 (various)
White Peony
Wogonin
Ylang ylang Oil
yohimbine
Yohimbe