Anxiety is a feeling of
worry, particularly in a new or stressful situation. It sometimes causes other
symptoms, such as poor sleep or loss of appetite and, in extreme cases, may
give rise to panic attacks which can include periods of dizziness, short breath
and sweating. It can be constant or it may be triggered by certain situations,
such as going to new places. Anxiety can also be a sign of depression.
Although anxiety is a
biologically useful reaction to threatening situations, if it exceeds certain
levels and durations, and impedes active participation in life, it is regarded
as a disorder.
There
are a number of different types of anxiety disorder, the most frequent being:
-
generalised anxiety
disorder -
this is the most common form and is characterised by long lasting anxiety
that is not focused on any one object or situation. People who have
this type of disorder generally experience a non-specific, but persistent,
fear and worry, and tend to become overly concerned with everyday
matters. Among adults this is the most common form of anxiety
disorder
-
panic disorder - this usually
involves brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension, often
characterised by tremling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea and
difficulty breathing. Such an attack may last for several hours and
can be triggered by stress, fear, or even exercise although the specific
cause may be unclear
-
phobias - these involve a
specific stimulus or situation that triggers fear and anxiety, for example
an animal or blood. Although the person usually knows that their
alarm is disproportional to the actual potential danger, they are still
overwhelmed by fear
-
social anxiety disorder
or social phobia -
this is characterised by an intense fear and avoidance of negative public
attention, public embarrassment, humiliation or social interaction.
Social anxiety often manifests itself in specific physical symptoms.
In Parkinson's this may include an increase in tremor or other motor
symptoms. People who experience this type of anxiety often try to
avoid the source of anxiety, which in Parkinson's may lead to an increased
social isolation.
