Different Types of Anxiety Disorders and Chiropractic Care

Anxiety is a common occurrence when a person faces potentially problematic or dangerous situations. It is also felt when a person perceives an external threat. However, chronic and irrational anxiety can lead to a form of anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorder depending on their causes or triggers. Therefore chiropractic care has been used to help ease these anxiety symptoms by aligning the spine. For instance, spinal alignment takes pressure off the nerves allowing you to function at your best! As a result anxiety symptoms lessen and you feel better.

Common forms of anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder

A person who has this type of anxiety disorder usually experience prolonged anxiety that is often without basis. More accurately, people with generalized anxiety disorders cannot articulate the reason behind their anxiety. This type of anxiety usually last for six months. It is important to realize this most often affects women.  Due to the persistence of the anxiety, people affected with generalized anxiety disorder constantly fret and worry. Other symptoms you may experience are heart palpitations, insomnia, headaches, and dizzy spells.

Specific phobia

Someone who has a specific phobia experiences extreme and often an irrational fear of a certain situation or object. When exposed to the object or situation they fear, people with specific phobias exhibit signs of intense fear. These ma include shaking, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and nausea. Common specific phobias include fear of heights, enclosed spaces, blood, and animals. Another key point, the fear a person with phobia feels can be so extreme that he or she may disregard safety just to escape the situation.

Panic disorder

Also known as Agoraphobia, panic disorders are characterized by recurring panic attacks which are often unexpected. In this case, symptoms are usually shaking, chest pains, dizziness, fear of losing control, and reluctance of being alone. Given that, people with panic disorder are aware that their panic is usually unfounded  and illogical. People with panic disorders will avoid public situations and choose to be alone. A panic attack can be so severe that people may lose control and hurt themselves.

Social phobia

Alternatively called social anxiety, a person with social phobia may exhibit similar symptoms like those of panic disorder especially in social situations. Shaking, dizziness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations may ensue when a person with social phobia finds his or herself at the center of attention or in the company of many people, regardless whether they are strangers or not. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience anxiety caused by a persistent obsession or idea. They tend to avoid experiencing anxiety by resorting to repetitive actions or behaviors that prevent anxiety. For example, a person who is obsessed about cleanliness may experience anxiety at the mere sight of a vase placed slightly off-center. To prevent anxiety, he or she will clean and organize everything compulsively or without reason. 

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur after a person experienced a severely traumatic event. He or she may relive the experience in his or her mind which causes stress and anxiety. If a person with PTSD comes into contact with stimuli (any object, person, or situation) that he or she associates with the traumatic event, he or she may literally re-experience the event by crying uncontrollably, panicking, or losing control. In addition to the classic anxiety symptoms, subtler symptoms include insomnia and avoidant behavior. PTSD may manifest itself immediately after the traumatic event or even years after. 

Determining the type of anxiety disorder a person has is crucial to seeking treatment and recovery.  Techniques and methods that are used to help a person cope with a certain anxiety usually target not only the management of symptoms but coping mechanisms when exposed to triggers. Only after thorough diagnosis can treatment and recovery for anxiety disorders really commence.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Anxiety?

Dr. Grainger provides chiropractic care that can help reduce your stress levels and anxiety. The relaxing environment of our office is ideal for receiving chiropractic treatment. Treatments may also involve massage therapy, as well as counseling on lifestyle changes to help manage stress and anxiety.