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Conquering Anxiety: The Importance of Early Detection and Expert Strategies

Conquering Anxiety: The Importance of Early Detection and Expert Strategies

by Dr. Pavithra on Aug 1 2023 5:08 PM
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Highlights:
  • The prevalence of anxiety disorders, exploring both genetic and exogenous factors that contribute to their development
  • Emphasizing the significance of early screening and how timely identification enables individuals to access appropriate care promptly
  • Psychologist-approved strategies, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and self-care, are explored as effective means of managing anxiety
Feeling anxious is a normal human emotion. However, anxiety and worry that is difficult to manage and interferes with daily tasks could be symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.As a youngster or an adult, you can acquire anxiety disorder (1 Trusted Source
Generalized anxiety disorder

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Living with an anxiety disorder can be problematic over time. It frequently coexists with other anxiety or mood problems. In most cases, psychotherapy or medication can help curtail its effects. Making lifestyle adjustments, acquiring coping skills, and employing relaxation techniques can also be beneficial.

All of us can sense a surge in anxiety these days, and the unsatisfactory aspect of it could be the way it can occur anytime. And, we mean it. During our analysis, we toppled over many case studies where it seemed to only intensify.

And then there came a news flash - screening for anxiety disorders is not to be missed in the middle of mental health awareness mayhem. From nineteen-year-old to sixty-four-year-old, including pregnant or postpartum adults, screening should be a necessity. Do not overlook this for your behavioral health!

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Why Anxiety Should Be Caught at an Initial Stages?

Anxiety disorders, according to Gurpreet Arora, the founder of Make Me Pure, a compassionate center for the mental well-being of adolescents, are a common mental health issue that can have a dramatic impact on a person's entire well-being. He believes that early detection and treatment of these illnesses is critical in order to give timely intervention and successful treatment choices. “Identifying anxiety disorders early can improve individuals’ quality of life and reduce stigma” he stated.

Screening for anxiety is hampered by a lack of understanding, societal stigma, and insufficient resources. Increase public awareness, give training, include screens in regular consultations, and allocate more resources to mental health services to address this.

Advocating for comprehensive mental health coverage in insurance plans can encourage early intervention and improve overall anxiety disorder management. False positives might occur due to measurement errors, temporary situational anxiety, or other medical concerns. “To reduce false positives, validated screening tools, clinical judgment, and comprehensive diagnostic assessments are essential,” stated Gurpreet Arora.

Anxiety predominance has increased, with children and women suffering the most mental health consequences. Major contributors include social isolation, loneliness, fear, suffering, and financial concerns.

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Psychologist Approved Methods to Curtail Anxiety Disorder

A case study of Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing professional, highlights the value of mindfulness in managing stress. Her mental health had suffered as a result of the stress of her demanding career. she decided to join a three-month mindfulness program in quest of a holistic approach to manage her symptoms and improve her overall well-being.

After a three-month mindfulness program, Sarah found that daily meditation practice helped regulate breathing and relax her mind and body, especially during high stress.

Practicing relaxation techniques, establishing a routine, and engaging in regular exercise can help reduce anxiety levels and promote better mental health,” suggested Nupur Srivastava, an energy psychologist.

Reduced stressors, self-care, and, if necessary, medication are further recommendations that can be tailored to match individual needs, added the energy psychologist.

She further stated, “Working with healthcare professionals can provide personalized recommendations and treatment options for individuals with anxiety disorders. To improve screening, increase awareness, provide education, integrate screening into healthcare settings, enhance mental health services, reduce stigma, and foster collaborations.

Insurance providers now offer mental health insurance plans or include mental health coverage in general health policies, offering therapy sessions, prescribed medications, and telemedicine services. Factors contributing to anxiety disorders in India include socio-cultural factors, financial challenges, social expectations, societal stigma, personal and environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and traumatic life experiences.

Access to mental health services remains a challenge, with limited availability of professionals and lack of awareness. Effective treatment involves a personalized approach, involving therapy, medication, lifestyle modifications, and support systems.”

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Anxiety Prevalence and its Roots

Some of these have hereditary roots, while most of them can be exogenously caused. The most frequently provoked categories of mental diseases are anxiety and depressive disorders. According to certain reports, certain genetic markers can increase a person's risk of developing disease.

Additionally, there is no easily accessible anxiety screening. It is difficult to diagnose someone with anxiety without performing a diagnostic evaluation and subsequent follow-up.

Role of Screening in Anxiety Disorder

Screening for anxiety in the general adult population can result in early identification of these illnesses. Those who are detected are connected with appropriate care.

While a positive screen result will frequently reflect an anxiety disorder, it may also indicate a variety of other stress-related conditions, such as marital or occupational stress, or conditions related to anxiety, such as major depression with anxious distress or alcohol withdrawal.

The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is frequently used to evaluate the impact of depression, anxiety, and stress on different populations, age groups, clinical and nonclinical responses, and to distinguish between anxiety and depression.

The first step in mental health interventions is mental health literacy. It's critical to realize that creating screening benchmarks is the only way to identify mental disease.

Depression, anxiety, and stress affect psychosocial functioning,” expressed Archana Singhal, a counselor and family therapist.

Raising awareness about anxiety disorders, accessible mental health services and access to affordable and quality mental health services can help individuals seek help without stigma.

Investing in research on anxiety disorders and advocating for policies that prioritize mental health can lead to improved understanding and more comprehensive support for those affected.

Reference:
  1. Generalized anxiety disorder - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20360803)


Source-Medindia


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