In modern society, more and more people are affected by mental health problems such as anxiety and panic attacks. These conditions can have a serious impact on quality of life and can have long-term detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. In this article, we describe the main features of anxiety and panic attacks and explain how these conditions affect mental health.
The concept and types of anxiety
Anxiety is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences in their lives. Anxiety becomes problematic when it is overly present in an individual’s life, interfering with their daily activities and negatively affecting their mental health. There are several types of anxiety disorders:
1. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): constant, excessive worry and tension that is not related to specific events or situations.
2. panic disorder: a sudden, intense feeling of fear, accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness.
3. Social anxiety: fear of social situations, especially public speaking, criticism from others.
4. phobias: irrational fear of specific situations or objects.
Panic attacks: the most intense form of anxiety
Panic attacks are the most intense and frightening form of anxiety. These episodes occur suddenly and are accompanied by a strong sense of fear and physical symptoms. Panic attacks are often confused with heart attacks, as symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat can be similar.
The frequency and intensity of panic attacks vary from person to person. For some people they are rare events, while others experience them regularly. Repeated panic attacks can lead to long-term panic disorder, which can seriously impair an individual’s quality of life.
Poor mental health can be closely linked to the development of anxiety and panic attacks. Below I explain in more detail how this can happen:
1. Chronic stress and lack of coping strategies:
– In chronic stress, people can live under constant tension for long periods of time, which can exhaust emotional and physical resources. If one does not have adequate coping strategies, stress can build up and gradually lead to anxiety symptoms.
– Anxiety can develop when a person’s sensitivity to stressful situations increases and the person no longer deal with them effectively. This constant feeling of stress and worry about future negative events can both lead to anxiety disorders.
2. Negative thinking patterns:
– Deteriorating mental health often leads to negative patterns of thinking. Such thinking tends to lead people to think of worst-case scenarios, which increases anxiety.
– For example, negative self-esteem, fear of failure or constant self-criticism can be a source of constant anxiety. The constant presence of such thoughts can increase anxiety symptoms and trigger panic attacks.
3. Trauma and unresolved emotions:
– Unresolved trauma and repressed emotions can also be a significant contributor to anxiety. If a person is unable to process a traumatic event properly, emotional distress can turn into anxiety over time.
– Panic attacks often occur as a sudden and intense anxiety reaction triggered by a trauma. Repressed feelings and memories can sometimes erupt unexpectedly and manifest as panic attacks.
4. Sleep disturbances and physical exhaustion:
– Mental health problems are often associated with sleep problems. Sleep deprivation and constant fatigue can increase the tendency to anxiety, as the body cannot regenerate properly.
– Lack of sleep increases the irritability of the nervous system, which can lead to anxiety and even panic attacks. Constant exhaustion increases tension and makes it difficult to cope with stress.
5. Lack of peer support and isolation:
– Mental health deterioration is often associated with isolation and lack of peer support. In such situations, people can feel lonely, which increases feelings of anxiety.
– This isolation can make it difficult to cope with difficulties, further increasing the risk of anxiety. And the lack of supportive communities can lead to increased anxiety and even panic attacks.
6. Genetic predisposition:
– Some people may carry a genetic predisposition to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders. If someone has a family history of similar problems, they are more likely to develop these symptoms.
– In addition to genetic predisposition, if a person does not receive adequate mental health support and treatment, anxiety can easily escalate and manifest itself in panic attacks.
7. Unhealthy lifestyle habits:
– An inadequate diet, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption can all contribute to poor mental health. These factors impair the body’s ability to cope with stress, which increases the chances of developing anxiety.
– These lifestyle habits can further deteriorate mental health, leading to the onset of panic attacks.
