It is possible that on more than one occasion we have reflected on the consequences of some of our actions. This fact, in turn, may have caused us to reconsider how we develop in our social ties, since we assign different meanings to our behaviors. Likewise, when we realize that we have made a mistake, our mind can try to anticipate possible reactions to prevent it from happening again in the future.
If we add to this fact that we live in a world full of fleeting and intense moments, the chances that anxiety appears can increase, which in some cases can lead to serious problems in the development of life daily. In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about the anticipatory anxiety disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment.
Index
- What is anticipatory anxiety
- Causes of anticipatory anxiety
- Symptoms of anticipatory anxiety disorder
- Treatment of anticipatory anxiety disorder
What is anticipatory anxiety.
Anticipatory anxiety disorder consists of a clinical picture related to a state of alertness permanent and repetitive against the idea of unpleasant situations that could occur in the future. In global terms, anticipatory anxiety disorder manifests itself in a large number of scenarios feared by the person since they consider that they will have catastrophic consequences of diverse nature.
According to the DSM-V[1], this clinical condition can be part of the panic attacks delimited from very specific qualities. The main diagnostic criteria to detect anticipatory anxiety disorder are:
- intense discomfort
- palpitations.
- Incrise of cardiac frecuency.
- sweating.
- Tremors.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Fear of death.
- dizziness and instability.
- Shaking chills.
Causes of anticipatory anxiety.
While it is true that anticipatory anxiety disorder can appear in anyone, it is important to understand the possible origins to account for appropriate solutions when dealing with this pathology. Next, we explain the main causes:
Environmental factors
Environmental factors that can cause anticipatory anxiety include various situations in which fear and anxiety have played a significant role. In this sense, unpleasant experiences from the past can have an influence important in the way of being of a person. Thus, if at any time during childhood and/or adolescence the person experienced a traumatic situation that caused them to fear death or some catastrophic consequence, it is possible that you develop patterns of behavior in which you anticipate a situation and feel that the same sequences will be repeated.
Likewise, imitation is also part of the environmental factors, because if any of the significant people of the environment has an anticipatory anxiety disorder, there is a high probability that the same behaviors will be reflected.
Genetic factors
Another of the main causes in the development of this cynical picture is genetic inheritance. There are certain neural connections linked to the emotional processing of external stimuli that have a greater impact on people with anticipatory anxiety disorder. Therefore, if either of the parents develops this pathology, it is possible that her/his child replicates these characteristics.
Symptoms of anticipatory anxiety disorder.
In order to detect anticipatory anxiety disorder in time, we must distinguish the manifestations that appear in the body as well as on an emotional and behavioral level.
Next, we will describe the most relevant symptoms to take into account:
- Fainting sensation.
- palpitations.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality.
- Insomnia.
- Catastrophic thoughts.
- Avoidance of crowded places.
- Discomfort in the presence of other people.
- Inability to expose
However, it should be noted that the presence of any of these symptoms in isolation does not necessarily represent an anticipatory anxiety disorder. Thus, It is essential that the diagnosis be carried out by a mental health professional. that evaluates the characteristics of each person.
Treatment of anticipatory anxiety disorder.
Although it is true that anticipatory anxiety has unfavorable consequences for the people who suffer from it, today there are approaches available to improve the quality of life of the patient. Next, we show you the most indicated treatments for this type of disorder:
psychological therapy
In the first place, from the understanding of the origin of the condition, it will be possible to implement strategies that allow a remission of the symptoms. On the one hand, short-term therapies work in a limited period of sessions on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that cause the symptoms. These kinds of therapies aim offer the patient tools that produce a better relationship with situations of anxiety and/or stress.
On the other hand, long-term therapies focus on search for the origin of the symptoms in childhood situations. This gives rise to the person adopting other modalities to function in conflictive situations. Although both therapies have variable durations, the objective lies in the improvement of the patient.
psychiatric medication
In cases with considerable severity that interferes with the development of daily activities, the supply of psychiatric drugs is another viable option to treat anticipatory anxiety disorder.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the consumption of psychoactive drugs is always must be prescribed by a mental health professional.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Anticipatory anxiety disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: Panamerican Medical Editorial.
Bibliography
- Navas Orozco, W., Vargas Baldares, M.J. (2012). Anxiety disorders: A directed review for primary care. Medical Journal of Costa Rica and Central America, 604 (2), 497-507.
- Tortella-Feliu, M. (2014). Anxiety disorders in the DSM-V. Iberoamerican Journal of Psychosomatics, 110 (1), 62-69.
Anticipatory anxiety disorder: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment
