Anxiety disorders are mental disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear, which can manifest in different ways. The main ones include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic syndrome, phobias and social anxiety, in addition to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey shows that young people and women were the most affected. Estimates from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicate that more than 58 million people suffer from anxiety disorders in the Americas region.
In this Monday’s edition (11) of the Medical Correspondentfrom Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained the main causes and symptoms of an anxiety crisis.
Although anxiety is a source of stimulus for the individual to perform functions, in excess it can have the opposite effect. “It is a disorder that brings quite severe psychological and physical manifestations, often blocking the person from having a full life”, explains Gomes.
Anxiety attack symptoms include extreme fears, excessive worry and crying spells. The causes can be multifactorial and include traumas and triggers specific to each patient. Treatment can be carried out with psychological counseling, use of drugs prescribed by psychiatrists or a combination of the two therapies.
Anxiety crisis affects 26 students in Recife
On April 8, 26 students from the Escola de Referência em Ensino Médio (Erem) Ageu Magalhães, in Recife, felt sick with symptoms of shortness of breath, tremors and crying spells.
In a note, SAMU reported that students also had sweating, low saturation and tachycardia. The young people were treated on the spot and did not need to be referred to health units. According to SAMU, 16 professionals in six ambulances and two motorcycles were mobilized for care.
The Recife Department of Education and Sports reported that the students received medical care at the school and were released after the arrival of those responsible.
Neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explains that cases like this recorded in Recife are rare. “There is a psychological explanation with a neurobiological basis to explain this, we call it the herd effect. A person, for example, in a room starts yawning, it is not uncommon for you to notice several people yawning,” he explains.
According to the specialist, the clinical manifestation of anxiety in several students at the same time may be related to the same type of psychological effect.
What can be done to relieve symptoms
Doctor Érico de Oliveira, general practitioner at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, says that the first crises can be difficult to understand. The different symptoms make many people seek medical attention, thinking they have respiratory or heart problems.
“Many patients arrive with complaints of clinical symptoms, such as muscle tension, headache and tiredness, and do not talk about concerns, which they consider natural”, says Oliveira, in a statement.
The search for specialized care helps to reduce the impacts and frequency of anxiety attacks. In addition, experts recommend measures that help to get through the situation more smoothly.
Actions such as breathing deeply and slowly, looking for a quiet place, sharing feelings and understanding that the moment is fleeting can alleviate crises. “With a slower breathing pattern, you reduce the nervous system’s response to this crisis. This will calm you down and can make the crisis end faster”, explains psychiatrist Débora Kinoshita, from Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz.
Source: CNN Brasil
