A Family Doctor's Tale - ANXIETY

DOC I HAVE ANXIETY

Anxiety is defined as the severe or protracted fear reactions that are inappropriate.

It is a hereditary problem with patient becoming fearful of minor problems
There is association with personality types
This condition is more prevalent in women than in men.
Certain factors like:
1.stress


2.exhaustion


3.fatigue


4.infections


5.endocrine disease like hyperthyroidism


6.drug induced especially loss of weight drug, cns stimulants


7.Also seen in depression and other psychotic illness like schizophrenia

Symptoms:
1.tension


2.nervousness


3.fear


4.Poor concentration


5.Insomnia


6.loss of appetite


7.loss of libido


8.physical manifestations such as:
tachycardia


chest discomfort


breathless

tiredness

dyspepsia


diarrhea


dry mouth


increased sweating


fainting attacks


hypochondriacal ideas


phobia


obsessions

Treatment:


counseling


psychotherapy


treat underlying depression


avoid stress


healthy lifestyle


tranquilliser

Treatment:
Hospitalization


Psychotherapy


Correction of nutrition and metabolic deficiency


Use of antidepressant and serotonin blockers

Prognosis
Good in mild cases


Poor in severe cases