Anxiety disorder is a chronic, uncontrollable stress condition that burdens daily life, impacting mental and physical health. It can stem from genetic, personal (such as personality traits or poor adaptability), or external factors like the death of a loved one, relocating, work challenges, or family conflicts.
Doctor Hoang Quoc Lan, a clinical psychologist at Phuong Dong General Hospital, states that a typical symptom of the disorder is excessive, prolonged worry. For example, patients experience thought overload, constantly replaying minor situations, unable to stop thinking even during rest. This is often accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, a feeling of impending collapse, or a complete loss of control. Individuals with anxiety may avoid social situations, fear crowds, dread speaking in class, or evade difficult tasks due to fear of failure or ridicule. They remain constantly vigilant, fearing danger.
People with anxiety disorders also suffer from sleep disturbances, frequently waking in the middle of the night with a racing heart and nightmares. Some cases involve stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, muscle tension, and neck and shoulder aches. They continuously seek reassurance from others or turn to alcohol, sedatives, or addictive behaviors (like gaming or social media) to temporarily alleviate their anxiety.
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People with anxiety disorders often experience sleep disturbances and nightmares. Photo: Success |
Below are 7 types of people particularly prone to anxiety disorders:
Perfectionists
Perfectionists always want everything to meet "absolute perfection" standards. Even a minor error can make them feel like a failure. For instance, misspelling a word in an email might lead them to reread it dozens of times, just to ensure "everything is fine." This is an anxiety mechanism, where the brain remains constantly stressed due to fear of making mistakes. This accumulated pressure can, over time, develop into anxiety.
Overthinkers
Overthinkers tend to imagine the worst-case scenarios, fearing they will fall before they even take a step. This causes the brain to visualize too many risks, leading them to believe that danger is imminent and triggering an anxious response.
Highly Sensitive Individuals
Highly sensitive individuals are easily affected by others' emotions and words, and can be hurt by even an unintentional comment. For example, a mild suggestion might cause them to overthink and lose sleep all night. This makes their nervous system react strongly to stress, easily leading to anxiety or low self-esteem.
Control Freaks
Control freaks only feel secure when things go exactly as planned, unable to tolerate surprises or changes. For instance, a 10-minute delay in a travel itinerary can spoil their entire trip. Life, however, is inherently unpredictable, and when situations deviate from their plans, they can easily panic.
Self-Critical Individuals
Self-critical individuals constantly scrutinize their own faults and rarely forgive themselves. For example, accidentally saying the wrong thing in a meeting might lead them to blame themselves for several days. This causes them to live with guilt and low self-esteem, as their brain continuously sends signals that "something is wrong with me," eventually leading to anxiety and depression.
Dependent Individuals
Dependent individuals often lack confidence in making decisions, constantly seeking reassurance from family or friends. If they have to visit a doctor alone, they might tremble with anxiety. This triggers an anxiety mechanism where, without reassurance, they feel empty and insecure, easily falling into panic.
Individuals with Family Trauma
Individuals with family trauma grew up in stressful, violent environments, lacking affection or facing immense family pressure. These past traumas keep their nervous system in a state of "high alert," making them easily frightened and prone to overreacting, even to minor situations.
