There are many different types of anxiety disorders. General anxiety disorder and panic disorder are two of them. Some symptoms of these disorders include intrusive thoughts, generalized worry, shortened breath, a racing heart rate, and feeling out of control. Other people think they are panicky or that they have lost control over their life. At Gratitude Lodge, we manage panic disorder while treating drug addiction.
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a psychological condition characterized by long-term and excessive worry. It is not the same as “normal” worry, which is focused on a specific concern. Generalized anxiety disorder is based on suspicion that it is unrealistic and excessive. It may last for months or even years. It can happen in people of all ages, but it is most common in those addicted to drugs or alcohol.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a psychological condition characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear or terror. An episode of panic occurs when one feels that they are losing control and that their life or the person around them will be threatened. A panic attack always includes a physical sensation, such as an increased heart rate, trembling, sweating, or numbness in the arms and legs. A panic attack does not always have to be caused by a real threat. A person with panic disorder may experience it for no apparent reason.
Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It is a group of techniques to help people change their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and attitudes about themselves and their world.
The treatment often includes a combination of counseling, medication, and self-help techniques, such as relaxation exercises and stress management techniques like yoga or biofeedback on CDs.
General Anxiety Disorder vs. Panic Disorder
1. People with generalized anxiety disorder worry about many things. People with panic disorder worry only about the possibility of having a panic attack.
2. People with generalized anxiety disorder feel uncomfortable most days. In contrast, people with panic disorder feel nervous only when in certain situations or experiencing symptoms associated with an oncoming attack.
3. Generalized anxiety disorder sufferers usually have a lot of physical symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle tension, while people with panic disorder tend to have fewer physical symptoms. However, both conditions do cause fatigue and muscle tension.
4. People with generalized anxiety disorder sometimes worry about the same thing for weeks or even months. In contrast, people with panic attacks tend to worry about a specific situation for less than half an hour.
5. Panic disorder sometimes develops after prolonged stress or illness, such as chronic insomnia or acute bronchitis, while generalized anxiety disorder often exists first, and panic attacks come after.
6. People with generalized anxiety disorder are often aware of the cause of their worry, while people with panic disorder often do not know what makes them anxious.
7. People with generalized anxiety disorder can control their thoughts, feelings, and behavior for the most part, while people with panic disorder cannot control these factors for the most part. This difference does not mean that either condition may be improved by medication, but it does make some people better able to cope than others.
Does Drug Abuse Cause General Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder?
Some people develop generalized anxiety and panic disorders due to drug abuse. Drug use causes an overexcited brain and makes the body tense, particularly the stomach, back, jaw, neck, and chest muscles. When people stop taking drugs, they often feel very drained and exhausted. This condition is known as withdrawal syndrome.
Drug use also changes how the brain works and impairs a person’s ability to think clearly or control feelings or behaviors. This combined effect can cause some people to have more panic attacks than they used to.
Conclusion:
If you are suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Panic Disorder, it is important to know the symptoms, who is at risk, and how they may be treated.
At Gratitude Lodge, we bring you the most relevant and current addiction information to help in your recovery. We do not just discuss the drugs themselves, but we also talk about related conditions and disorders. For a free consultation, call us today at tel:+18888611658.
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