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Anxiety disorders: what are they?
As we’ve said, it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious about certain specific events, even simple ones, such as:
- moving to a new place
- starting a new job
- having routine blood tests
Paradoxically, this type of anxiety isn’t entirely negative because, even if we don’t like it, it can motivate us to work harder and achieve better results – without interfering with our daily lives, of course.
In the case of an anxiety disorder, feelings of fear, dread and dissatisfaction can be so intense that they cause us difficulty, becoming debilitating.
This type of anxiety can cause such difficulties that it prevents us from carrying out even our favourite activities and, in extreme cases, can prevent us from performing everyday tasks such as:
- getting into a lift
- crossing the road
- or even leaving the house.
If not treated effectively, this condition will continue to worsen, affecting our way of life. Nowadays, anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone, at any age. Furthermore, according to the latest estimates, it is women in particular who are most likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder.
How to recognise the different anxiety disorders
The term ‘anxiety’ is, of course, quite broad. This condition, in fact, manifests itself in a variety of distinct ways:
- ANXIETY ATTACKS: experiencing recurrent panic attacks at unexpected times. A person suffering from a panic disorder may live in fear of the next panic attack
- PHOBIA: an excessive fear of a specific object, situation or activity
- SOCIAL ANXIETY: an extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations
- OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: recurrent irrational thoughts that lead to specific, repetitive behaviours
- SEPARATION ANXIETY: fear of being separated from home or loved ones
- HEALTH ANXIETY: anxiety about one’s state of health (formerly known as hypochondria)
- POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): anxiety following a traumatic event.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety can vary depending on the person experiencing it. The symptoms are very varied, ranging from stomach cramps to a ‘heart in the throat’ sensation, from headaches to eyelid twitching. You might even feel out of control, as if there were a disconnect between your mind and body. Other ways in which people experience anxiety include nightmares, fear of something or someone, panic attacks, worries, and painful thoughts or memories that one cannot control, leading the person into a state of anxiety.
To make it easier to recognise anxiety, experts have defined its main symptoms, which include:
- An increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty falling asleep and resting
Nevertheless, the symptoms of anxiety can vary greatly from one person to another, so each of us may react in a particular way and experience specific symptoms. That is why it is important to be aware of them.
What are the main causes of anxiety?
In the literature, there is as yet no clear and definitive consensus on ‘what’ causes anxiety. It is likely that a combination of several factors plays a decisive role. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as the unconscious mind.
Furthermore, research suggests that the areas of the brain responsible for regulating fear may play a key role in states of anxiety. Indeed, given that anxiety has now become a very common disorder, scientists are studying the parts of the brain involved in greater depth in the search for a treatment.
Are there any tests that can diagnose anxiety?
Let’s make one thing clear from the outset: a simple test cannot diagnose anxiety, as some websites would have you believe. A proper diagnosis requires a lengthy process involvingphysical examinations,mental health assessments and psychological questionnaires carried out by specialist staff. Furthermore, a physical examination, including blood and urine tests, is also important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to the symptoms experienced.
Anxiety and depression
Let’s address an issue linked to anxiety: depression. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you may also suffer from depression. Anxiety and depression can occur separately, but it is not uncommon for these mental health conditions to occur together.
For example, anxiety can be a symptom of clinical depression. Similarly, a worsening of depression symptoms can be triggered by an anxiety disorder. The causes are therefore often intertwined. The symptoms of both conditions can be managed using many common treatments, such as psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, nutraceutical supplements and medication.
What natural remedies can be used to treat anxiety?
First and foremost, you need to focus on changing your lifestyle – a step that is fundamental to managing both stress and everyday anxiety. Most natural ‘remedies’ involve looking after yourself and your well-being by engaging in healthy and enjoyable activities and eliminating those that are unhealthy and lead to negative states of mind.
We should therefore focus on:
- Getting enough sleep
- Meditating
- Staying active during the day and taking regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet with foods that have a positive effect on the central nervous system
- Avoiding alcohol
- Do not overindulge in caffeine
- Give up smoking
- Laugh and try to have fun
In addition to these small adjustments to one’s lifestyle, we can also make use of the valuable support offered by natural supplements.
Ansio-Fort: a product at the forefront of TN Pharma’s research
My passion for nutraceuticals also stems from the possibilities they offer for effectively managing anxiety and stress. Our TN Pharma Research & Development team has created Ansio-Fort, a nutraceutical complex in tablet form based on tryptophan, vitamin B6 and vitamin D, and enriched with unique patented ingredients such as Bluenesse®, Bacognize®, Serenzo™, Sensoril® and Affron®.
The formulation has been carefully designed down to the smallest detail to support a normal mood, relaxation and mental wellbeing.
Let’s now take a look at its main components and their characteristics:
AFFRON®
Let’s start withAffron®, an innovative ingredient derived from high-quality saffron standardised to 3.5% Lepticrosalides™. The quality of this patented product is based on a reliable local supply chain, the selection of the Spanish species Crocus sativus L., and an exclusive extraction process that uniquely concentrates and preserves the active ingredients whilst using minimal energy.
Affron®, the saffron extract, acts primarily in several ways:
- Inhibition of the reuptake of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, increasing the concentrations of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft of neurons, thereby improving mood balance.
- Antioxidant effect against excessive oxidative stress produced during anxiety or stress processes in the central nervous system.
- Reducing the secretion of stress signals (apoptotic biomarkers and pro-inflammatory molecules) from hippocampal tissue during periods of peak stress.
- Reduces the pro-inflammatory environment within nerve tissue thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory action.
The beauty of this nutraceutical is that its beneficial properties are supported by clinical studies in humans, which have demonstrated an improvement in daily mood among subjects suffering from occasional stress and anxiety, as well as an improvement in insomnia and symptoms of depression.
SENSORIL®
Sensoril® is a unique patented formulation combining the leaves and roots ofAshwagandha, or Withania somnifera: a potent blend that delivers optimal efficacy and bioactive diversity. For centuries, Ashwagandha has been one of the most widely used plants in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is recommended to promote healthy sleep (from the Latin ‘somnifera’, meaning ‘to induce sleep’), to support our ability to manage and recover from stress, and to improve immune function.
BLUENESSE®
Bluenesse® is obtained through water extraction from a special strain of Melissa officinalis leaves, a well-known herb native to Europe. This patented formula uniquely balances the concentration of neurotransmitters that are important for healthy and active brain function. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed that Bluenesse® supports cognitive performance by improving alertness, concentration and memory. In addition, Bluenesse® enhances the ability to cope with occasional stress and helps to achieve a calm and positive state of mind.
SERENZO™
Serenzo™ is a natural and innovative ingredient found in lemons, which has been studied for its role in stress management. Research has shown that it is specifically the limonene contained in Serenzo™ that is responsible for all the benefits and properties of this extraordinary ingredient.
The specific properties of limonene, particularly those of the Serenzo™ patent, offer natural anti-stress effects. It acts primarily on neurons in a controlled manner, by activating the receptor responsible for regulating stress and mimicking the activity of adenosine, whilst also inhibiting the stress response receptor, the dopamine deactivating receptor. Finally, it stimulates the release of GABA and the production of cAMP and Ca²⁺, which are essential for overall relaxation.
Taking Serenzo™ for 12 weeks has been shown to result in a significant reduction in overall stress scores, thereby confirming its exceptional anti-stress properties.
BACOGNIZE®
Finally, Ansio-Fort contains the patented Bacognize® extract, a standardised natural formula derived from Bacopa monnieri, a plant well known in ancient times and used to support cognitive function through various key neuroprotective and antioxidant mechanisms. Furthermore, it is worth noting that it owes its name to Brahman, which means ‘pure consciousness’, due to its ability to soothe the mind by promoting relaxation.
Indeed, Bacopa is commonly used as an adaptogen to support cognitive health, memory, concentration, attention, mood, emotional well-being and stress management. It contains several active compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins (bacoside A3, bacopaside I, bacopaside II, bacopa saponina C), which are responsible for its ability to improve the transmission of nerve impulses by optimising neuronal kinase activity, the synthesis and restoration of synaptic activity and, above all, the transmission of nerve impulses.
Our aim is to create unique products that are innovative and always at the cutting edge. Ansio-Fort by TN Pharma, thanks to its patented formula and the balance of its ingredients, is an excellent aid for everyday life, featuring high-quality, comprehensive ingredients, designed to meet the needs and requirements of those seeking effective support to regain calm in times of stress and anxiety and, with small lifestyle adjustments, to rebuild their sense of well-being and tranquillity.
