Anxiety disorders and anxiety diseases

Overview

When anxiety is so persistent and excessive that it interferes with a person's daily activities, it is considered an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can arise in specific situations, be constant or cause panic attacks. Psychotherapy can help, e.g. supported and progressive confrontation with the triggers.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

Anxiety takes centre stage. It can occur in the following forms:

• Fear of a specific situation, a “phobia” (e.g. large crowds of people, fear of heights, spiders)
• Constant generalised anxiety lasting weeks or years (without a clear reason)
• Recurring panic attacks (with or without a trigger) that usually last for some minutes

Other symptoms

• Heart palpitations
• Sweating, trembling
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Stomach ache, nausea
• Hyperventilation

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Wrongly programmed reaction to an event
• Avoidance of the trigger event increases the fear
• Genetic predisposition
• Bad, emotionally stressful experiences increase the risk of an anxiety disorder

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Identification of the trigger in conversation

Possible therapies

• Psychotherapy (e.g. supported and progressive confrontation with the trigger event to “unlearn” the anxiety reaction)
• Relaxation techniques
• Homoeopathic medicines or measures applied by alternative medicine such as acupuncture
• Antidepressants

What can I do myself?

• Request professional help when needed

When to see a doctor?

• Fear and anxiety interfere with daily life

Further information

Angst- und Panikhilfe Schweiz (Anxiety and Panic Support Switzerland)
www.aphs.ch