Tag: anxiety disorders
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OXIDATIVE STRESS: UNMASKING THE ANXIETY CONNECTION
The human brain, with its voracious appetite for oxygen, is exceptionally vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its modest antioxidant defenses and lipid-rich composition. Recent studies have unveiled a compelling connection between oxidative stress and anxiety disorders, shedding light on the intricate role of neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin in anxiety regulation. One notable revelation…
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CAN YOU EXPERIENCE PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS WITH AN ANXIETY DISORDER?
The combination of an affective disorder with a superimposed psychotic disorder has long been considered rare. However, it is noteworthy that psychotic symptoms frequently manifest in individuals with affective disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In fact, many individuals initially seeking help due to anxiety or depressive symptoms were found to be at high risk…
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CAN SLEEP DISTURBANCE WORSEN THE COURSE OF PTSD?
Research indicates among all the anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has the highest comorbidity rate with insomnia (i.e., they occur together). Studies with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), on the other hand, reveal a different pattern. SLEEP DISTURBANCES AND PTSD Notably, there is growing evidence that sleep difficulties may contribute to the development of…
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PATTERNS OF SLEEP DISTURBANCES ACROSS ANXIETY DISORDES
Sleep and anxiety are intimately connected, so much so that sometimes we cannot tell which one comes first. In recent studies, findings indicate that in 43.5% cases of insomnia, anxiety symptoms preceded chronic insomnia. By contrast, the percentage of chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders occurring simultaneously was not too far behind at 38.6%, which implies…
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WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF STRESS?
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make one feel threatened or that upset one’s balance in some way. The nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that rouse the body for emergency action. During development, stress has often been regarded as a potentially disruptive force,…
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IS ANXIETY CURABLE?
The answer is a resounding YES! Anxiety can be cured with the proper treatment and lifestyle changes. The brain is malleable and new brain connections sprout out everyday, which tells you that your brain can change. Look at anxiety as a bad habit that you need to unlearn.
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ARE THERE LAB TESTS OR BRAIN SCANS FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS?
No, anxiety cannot be detected through a blood sample or an X-ray. Instead, a diagnosis is made based on the individual’s answers to specific questions and the physician’s observation. Advances in brain science and technology could in the near future yield a method to diagnose an anxiety disorder just by looking at the brain, so…
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ARE SLEEP PROBLEMS COMMON WITH ANXIETY?
Yes, sleep problems are a common occurrence in anxiety. For example, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) list sleep disorders as one of the core symptoms of the conditions. Sleep problems in anxiety include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up too early.
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THE LINK BETWEEN SLEEP PROBLEMS AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD) IN CHILDREN
Research identifies three possible root causes of sleep problems. They can be organic and arise from endogenous abnormalities related to sleep-wake mechanisms. Alternatively, they can be induced by interaction with a specific substance or medication, or they can be the result of a medical condition. Lastly and more significantly, sleep problems could arise from a…
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IS AGORAPHOBIA A DISEASE OF URBAN LIVING?
Agoraphobia was originally described as a spatial disease that was borne out of the rise of the metropolis with its wide-open streets and dizzying public spaces. Patients’ fears are to a certain extent alleviated by companionship, but they are seriously exacerbated by the dimensions of the space, especially when there seems to be no boundary…