Anxiety Can Be a Psychological Symptom, Not a Diagnosis
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Anxiety can arise as a response to life pressures or as a symptom of another mental health condition. Understanding its cause is therefore an important step towards choosing the right treatment.
Mark Rego, MD, a psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, said anxiety is a common psychological symptom that can occur in various psychiatric disorders.
Writing on Psychology Today on Tuesday (27 October), local time, Rego said anxiety does not always indicate an anxiety disorder. It can also accompany depression or emerge when someone faces severe pressures, such as divorce, job loss, financial problems or the death of a family member.
According to Rego, anxiety is the brain’s response to a perceived threat, although the source of that threat is not always clear. This differs from fear, which usually arises when a person knows specifically what is threatening them.
Rego said the age at which symptoms first appear, the type of complaint, a person’s life circumstances and any accompanying symptoms should all be considered in understanding their condition.
In children and adolescents, anxiety may be linked to temperament, the family environment, bullying or problems at school. In adults, newly emerging anxiety may also be associated with life pressures or depression.
In older people, meanwhile, anxiety should be assessed alongside other symptoms, including changes in mood and cognitive ability. A professional assessment is needed to determine whether the symptoms are related to a psychological disorder or a particular medical condition.
Rego stressed that people who feel anxious need not immediately conclude that they have a mental disorder. However, if anxiety lasts longer than expected, interferes with daily activities or is accompanied by other symptoms, an assessment by a mental health professional can help identify its cause and determine appropriate treatment.
Understanding the context in which anxiety arises allows treatment to be tailored to each person’s needs and circumstances.