Nervousness - types, causes, signs and methods of combating

Before we tell you how to treat neurasthenia, you should first understand what it is and what the symptoms of this pathological condition are.

Neurasthenia or asthenoneurotic syndrome is the most common type of mental disorder with mild changes. In essence, this is a severe depletion of the nervous system. Due to the similarity of symptoms, it is sometimes identified with chronic fatigue syndrome, however, as recent studies have shown, these conditions have different origins, so the treatment should be different.

A breakdown of the nervous system, which is neurasthenia, is a reversible phenomenon, regardless of how intensively and for a long time the manifestations of this syndrome were observed. It occurs without severe personality disorders and psychosis. But the person is well aware of his condition and tolerates it quite hard, which worsens the quality of his life.

Asthenic neurosis occurs due to some situation that traumatizes the psyche, coupled with chronic “lack of sleep” or a lack of other physiological needs, as well as overload of the body. To these factors are added various painful conditions, including infections.

Both men and women are equally susceptible to the disorder, but in the latter, due to the burden of various pathologies, it is more severe. As for the age limit, the majority of cases are people over 25 years old. This disease even received the “popular” name “manager’s syndrome.” But our fast-paced era has made its own adjustments: due to the complex school curriculum, intellectual and sports activity, representatives of the current younger generation also began to be diagnosed with neurasthenia.

It would be a misconception to believe that asthenoneurotic syndrome is characteristic only of residents of large cities. It’s just that people living in small settlements, including villages, are accustomed to attributing all health problems of this kind to simple fatigue, laziness, and bad character. Meanwhile, neurasthenia awaits every person.

Causes of irritability

Irritability occurs as a result of a combination of physiological, psychological and situational factors. It can manifest itself during certain periods of life - during stress, illness, increased workload - or be a feature of a person’s character. The causes of irritability are divided into three groups: physiological characteristics, psychological factors and various diseases.

Physiological reasons

Sudden reactions of anger and indignation often have a physiological basis - increased readiness of the nervous system, release of catecholamines and hormones, lack of compounds that ensure balanced self-regulation. This group of reasons includes:

1. Temperament.
   Temperament traits are based on the functioning of the central nervous system. People with a mobile and unstable type of nervous organization - choleric and melancholic - are prone to irritability.
2. Changes in hormonal levels.
   Hormonal imbalance is a lack of some hormones and an excess of others. It affects the functioning of the brain, in particular the functioning of the centers responsible for the manifestation of emotions. Therefore, irritability is common in women during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
3. Fatigue.
   As fatigue accumulates, the ratio of excitation and inhibition processes in the nervous system changes, and the body's reactivity increases. A person’s ability to correctly evaluate incoming information and choose an adequate response deteriorates. The causes of irritability in such cases are everyday problems, communication with other people.
4. Lack of sleep.
   With inadequate sleep, the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, increases in the body. At the physiological level, the body becomes ready to fight - adrenaline is produced, glucose consumption increases, irritability and aggressiveness increase.
5. Vitamin deficiency.
   Hypovitaminosis and a lack of certain microelements negatively affect the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, causing mood changes, lethargy, apathy, irritability, and nervousness. Often these symptoms are triggered by a deficiency of B vitamins, iodine, zinc and magnesium.
6. Lack or excess of physical activity.
   Irritability and emotional imbalance can occur due to a sedentary lifestyle or when performing intense physical activity that does not correspond to the person’s level of training. In both cases, there is an imbalance in the processes of inhibition and excitation of the central nervous system.

Psychological reasons

Irritation is partly due to the characteristics of the human psyche, the ways in which he reacts to internal experiences and external events. Those most prone to increased irritability are those with unstable self-esteem, anxiety, and a low level of responsibility. The following factors can provoke increased irritability:

1. Stress.
   Daily mental stress, negative emotional experiences, and conflicts lead to the development of a stressful state. It is characterized by the mobilization of all body systems and the readiness to fight back against adverse influences. Increased irritability ensures a quick response to the slightest threat.
2. Frustration.
   With frustration, a person experiences a strong desire to take action to satisfy a need, but cannot carry it out - he encounters an obstacle, does not have enough resources (knowledge, time, money). As a result, he experiences disappointment, dissatisfaction, and irritation.
3. Neuropsychic exhaustion.
   A common cause of irritability is high emotional and intellectual stress, prolonged stress, which provokes a state of nervous exhaustion. At the same time, a person’s ability to work fully, communicate with people and relax is reduced. Instead, a feeling of hopelessness, irritability, and despondency grows.
4. Wrong upbringing.
   In some families, parents regularly show outbursts of irritation when communicating with each other and with their children. Gradually, the child adopts this way of responding to any unpleasant events. In adolescence and youth, irritability is consolidated and becomes a character trait.
5. Dissatisfaction.
   The inconsistency of any area of ​​life with the desired level is the cause of dissatisfaction, and as a result - irritability. Often people are not satisfied with their financial situation, conditions and content of work, and family relationships.

Mental and somatic illnesses

Irritability can be a symptom of mental disorders and somatic diseases. In case of mental disorders, the cause of irritability is the patient’s altered state of mind: emotional instability, decreased self-control, and inability to adequately assess current events are observed. In somatic diseases, there are two mechanisms that provoke irritability: primary – damage to the central nervous system or changes in the functioning of endocrine organs; secondary – long-term or severe course of the disease, worsening the quality of life. The most common reasons are:

1. Neurotic disorders.
   In neuroses, irritability is considered one of the leading symptoms; it is potentiated by insomnia and nervous exhaustion. Combined with anxiety, decreased performance, and depressed mood. Most characteristic of neurasthenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive neurosis.
2. Personality disorders.
   Psychopathy is a pathologically formed character with aggravated traits that interfere with social interaction. Patients with unstable, epileptoid and excitable type of disorder react to most situations too emotionally and impulsively: they conflict, get angry, and become irritated.
3. Schizophrenia.
   In schizophrenia, irritability often manifests itself in the prodromal period and during remissions. It is stimulated by a decrease in the ability to clearly perceive what is happening, suspicion of others, and loss of a sense of self-identification (Who am I? What am I?).
4. Epilepsy.
   In patients with epilepsy, the functioning of the brain changes, often affecting their character and behavior. A typical symptom of the disease is dysphoria - an emotional disturbance that is a combination of sadness, anger, anxiety and extreme irritability.
5. Organic lesions of the central nervous system.
   Demyelinating pathologies, neurodegenerative and vascular diseases, brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and intoxications constitute a group of organic neurological pathologies. In all cases, dystrophic changes in the nervous tissue occur and the functioning of neurons is disrupted. Often pathological processes cover areas of the brain responsible for emotions and behavior, as a result a person becomes irritable, impulsive, and whiny.
6. Endocrine pathologies.
   Hormonal diseases are accompanied by a violation of the humoral regulation of emotions. Depending on the nature of the hormone imbalance, the patient’s mood and behavior changes. Common causes of irritability are hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and Cushing's disease.
7. Alcoholism and drug addiction.
   In alcohol and drug addiction, irritability is caused, on the one hand, by intoxication - organic brain damage, on the other - by withdrawal syndrome, frustration of the need for the next intake of alcohol or drugs. Other symptoms are anxiety, wariness, unmotivated hatred of people.
8. Long-term serious illnesses.
   A long-term disease that limits a person’s activity, accompanied by pain, becomes a provoking factor of emotional disorders. Patients experience depression, despondency, melancholy, followed by periods of irritability and anger.

Symptoms and signs

Anxiety and worries make it difficult to concentrate and collect your thoughts, and reduce the quality of life.

Symptoms and signs:

• increased sweating;
• increased heart rate, tremor, increased blood pressure;
• dizziness, dry mouth;
• restlessness, fussiness;
• nervousness - feeling “on the verge of a breakdown”;
• fast fatiguability;
• impaired concentration;
• muscle tension;
• excessive dramatization of current events;
• a tendency to endless, often fruitless, thinking about any problems.

A person experiences a feeling of mental discomfort, self-doubt, and a decrease in overall productivity.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of irritability is carried out by psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and psychologists. As a rule, identifying this problem is not difficult - patients or their relatives report changes in behavior, communication difficulties, and increased conflict. To collect complete information about the emotional state, the following methods are used:

• Conversation.
  During the interview, the doctor clarifies when the outbursts of irritability began, what situations cause them, how they affect the patient’s life, and whether the irritability has causes that are not related to psychological characteristics (somatic illnesses). More often, patients are critical of changing their emotions and are willing to talk about problems.
• Observation.
  During communication, the specialist notes external signs of irritability: changes in voice timbre, acceleration of speech, restlessness, fussiness, abruptness of movements. This condition can be caused by waiting for an appointment, questions from the doctor, or the surrounding environment.
• Psychodiagnostic questionnaires.
  Tests are used to study emotional and personal qualities. The level of irritability is assessed using the Bass-Darkey questionnaire, Cattell personality questionnaire, MMPI and other methods.
• Projective tests.
  If irritability is denied, the patient is asked to perform projective tasks that help identify hidden or unconscious personality traits. To diagnose irritability, the Wagner hand test, the Rosenzweig frustration test, and a drawing of a non-existent animal are used.

Comprehensive psychodiagnostics allows you to determine the causes of irritability

Definition

Primary anxiety, manifested in the form of nervousness, is felt as discomfort on the eve of decisive events, in conditions of uncertainty, during psychological stress, stress, and in difficult life situations. This state is closely related to social, economic, individual external circumstances, and the prediction of failure.

Mild nervousness as a natural reaction of the body in an unknown or frightening situation does not affect the quality of life:

• guides a person to find the source of anxiety;
• signals a possible threat;
• forces you to gather your strength.

Nervousness becomes a problem, manifesting itself in the form of intense excitement, disrupting the usual rhythm of daily life.

A person exaggerates the importance of unfavorable factors and experiences fear of evaluation of his actions if the evaluation is associated with punishment or deep feelings.

Treatment

Group behavioral psychotherapy

The main goal of group trainings is to change the patient’s behavior, get rid of feelings of dissatisfaction, and teach constructive ways of expressing grievances, claims, and comments. During classes, participants recreate conflict situations, try to use techniques for switching emotions, and take the position of an interlocutor. After the main training, there is a collective discussion of experiences, including irritation.

Individual consultations with a psychotherapist

In addition to behavioral methods, sessions are conducted aimed at mastering relaxation and distraction skills. The psychotherapist discusses with the patient possible causes of irritability - stress, nervous exhaustion, problems in family life and at work. Of the practical skills that help relieve tension, the most effective are breathing techniques and auto-training.

Nervousness in women

Women experience anxiety and excitement regarding small everyday problems, due to responsibility for the fate of children and loved ones.

During pregnancy and postmenopause, hormonal changes occur in the body, which determine the psychological state of a woman. Nervousness manifests itself in the form of tension, anxiety, gloomy forebodings, and self-doubt.

Nervousness in men

Nervousness in men is associated with a lack of testosterone. When the level of this hormone is not enough to satisfy the daily needs of the body, which works under increased stress in the rhythm of modern life, not only irritability appears, but also psychosomatic phenomena. Back pain may occur, masquerading as osteochondrosis, and excess weight taken as a symptom of diabetes.

One of the reasons for nervousness in men may be menopause. In our article you will learn what male menopause is →

The study of the connection between nervousness and performance led to the following discovery: subjects with a high degree of nervousness are most successful in performing easy tasks. When performing complex tasks, on the contrary, calm and balanced people are the most successful.

Types of pathology

In total, there are four types of irritability, and each of them has been continuously studied for several centuries:

• depressive - characterized by constant bad mood, loss of strength and mental retardation;
• asthenic - the patient feels fatigue, depression;
• anxious irritability - based on the emergence of fear, especially in cases where a person has experienced certain situations;
• bulemic - based on the principles of nutrition. The patient cannot restrain himself from eating high-calorie foods, and therefore becomes irritated by his own weakness;
• hysterical irritability - originates from childhood. A person feels his own uselessness, he has low self-esteem, so he tries to attract attention to himself with hysterics and whims.

Prevention

Under stress, it is important to demonstrate external equanimity and restraint, working through emotions and psychological stress in a calmer environment. It's even better to be prepared for stress in advance.

Preventing nervousness:

1. Strengthening health through proper nutrition, rest and exercise.
2. Changing the situation means getting rid of the cause of concern.
3. Changing the attitude towards the situation - using self-hypnosis of a feeling of indifference towards the causes of anxiety. At the same time, you cannot refuse to solve the problem.
4. Be able to relax - relieve tension caused by stress.
5. Do not try to re-educate others “in your own way.”
6. Don’t be left alone with troubles - seek support from friends and family.
7. Do not indulge in pipe dreams, remain realistic.
8. Be able to look at yourself critically from the outside, but not engage in self-deprecation.
9. Stop holding anxious thoughts in your mind.

Control over intonation, gestures and facial expressions will help you concentrate and feel confident.

Tranquilizers (minor antipsychotics)

Tranquilizers are weaker and milder drugs compared to antipsychotics. They are used mainly once or in short (several days) courses, since long-term use can cause addiction (dependence).

Used for aggressiveness caused by overwork, neurotic and depressive disorders, as a rule, with unexpressed aggressiveness.

Basic tranquilizers:

• brodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine;
• diazepam;
• alprozalam;
• Hydroxyzine.

Nervousness as a sign of other diseases

Under the influence of the disease, the normal functioning of the brain is disrupted, making it difficult to solve everyday problems.

Diseases associated with nervousness:

• cardiovascular;
• vegetative dystonia;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• endocrine.

For proper functioning of the nervous system, magnesium is required, which is found in nuts, meat, dark chocolate, and cereals. With a deficiency of this microelement, nerve cells become easily excitable.

Methods for dealing with nervousness

You can fight nervousness not only with the help of pills for fear and anxiety. Methods aimed at long-term results will allow you to calm down on your own and stop being nervous.

Breathing exercises, if done regularly, help to get rid of anxiety for a long time.

Exercises:

• slow inhalation - count to 4;
• air retention in the lungs - count to 2;
• exhale slowly - count to 4;
• holding your breath - 2 counts.

Repeat the complex for 4–7 minutes. It is necessary to breathe with your stomach, since diaphragmatic breathing suppresses the physiological manifestations of nervousness - heartbeat, sweating.

Changing work and rest modes

Night sleep should last at least 8–9 hours a day. It is necessary to provide breaks during work. It is best to alternate physical and mental activity.

More than 9,000 people have gotten rid of their psychological problems using this technique.

Meditation

Meditation allows you to calm down and find inner balance, and disconnect from everyday problems. They meditate while walking aimlessly, not paying attention to others, enjoying the fresh air and the aroma of plants.

Yoga

Yoga classes relieve anxiety and restlessness, restore a state of internal balance, normalize blood pressure, and reduce heart rate and breathing.

All the body's forces are mobilized to prevent nervousness and irritability.

Avoidance of coffee, nicotine, alcohol

Nicotine, coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol cannot overcome nervousness. They give a false sensation of easing nervous tension. Alcoholic drinks have a dual effect: first they cause euphoria and then depression. Caffeine, found in some cold medications, coffee and tea, can worsen anxiety symptoms. People who drink alcohol become constantly nervous, anxious, and unsure of themselves.

Frequent walks in the fresh air

Daily walks in the fresh air can be combined with play sports that promote psycho-emotional relaxation.

Sport

Sports activities regulate a person’s psycho-emotional state. After exercise, your mood improves and unpleasant thoughts go away. Aerobic exercise and walking for 40 minutes daily are helpful. During classes, you should not overexert yourself and bring yourself to excessive fatigue.

Reflexology

Acupuncture has no contraindications or side effects.

Has a general strengthening effect, reduces increased nervous excitability.

Art therapy

Art therapy is a method of influencing emotions through art. Includes a wide range of activities - treatment using painting, modeling, specially selected music, reading literature. Dancing, plastic arts, and theater classes can improve your emotional state and psychological health.

Listening to pleasant music

Solitude, listening to a meditative composition and relaxing control over the course of thoughts, relieve negative emotions. Collected and processed sounds of nature, ambient and chill-out compositions, and classical music have a particularly strong calming effect.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine recommends eating 30 g of walnuts, 20 g of raisins and 20 g of cheese daily to relieve nervous excitement. A glass of warm water with 1 tablespoon of honey, drunk at night, will strengthen your nerves and induce healthy sleep. If you are overexcited, it is recommended to take a contrast shower daily.

Soothing herbal infusion:

• valerian root 30 g;
• peppermint leaves 30 g;
• leaves of watch trifoliate 40 g.

Heat 1 tbsp in a water bath. l. crushed mixture with 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Cool, squeeze out the herb and add water to the original volume. Drink 100 ml three times a day.

Psychotherapy

A psychotherapist will help to objectively assess the patient’s condition. His work aims to increase levels of self-control, self-awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence.

In individual or group sessions, the psychotherapist sets guidelines that will help eliminate the problem:

1. Teaches how to manage feelings and emotional reactions.
2. Helps in psychological adaptation to environmental conditions.
3. Introduces the basics of a healthy lifestyle, skills to cope with stress and reduce anxiety.
4. Gives an instruction not to dramatize or overestimate events - it is necessary to realize that any outcome does not mean the end of life.

The specialist provides advice on the selection of medications, taking into account individual characteristics and concomitant diseases.

Drug treatment

Mild nervousness does not require medication. If anxiety syndrome interferes with a full life, you will need to consult a specialist who will provide qualified assistance. The choice of medications depends on the severity of the symptoms - tranquilizers, sedative herbal mixtures, antidepressants.

It is important to know that the use of tranquilizers and antidepressants is complicated by a complex of undesirable effects - drowsiness, decreased severity of reactions, attention and memory, depression of the respiratory center, decreased myocardial contractility. One of the alternative methods of treating nervousness is the use of soothing herbal preparations based on valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, oregano, heather, and motherwort. Consequences of increased nervousness

With a prolonged state of nervousness, thinking abilities decrease - it becomes more difficult to concentrate in a situation that requires extreme tension of mental resources. Control over intonation, facial expressions, and gestures is lost, which can negatively affect the outcome of the task undertaken.

Fatigue sets in quickly, which has a bad effect on health and well-being. Unreasonable anxiety prevents you from concentrating on solving the main problems. Bad habits appear - a person gets used to relieving stress with cigarettes or alcohol.

At a crucial moment in life, changes in blood pressure, hysteria, chilliness, upset stomach, headaches, and heart attacks can interfere.

Antidepressants

Antidepressant drugs are used in courses (usually several months).

They do not have a quick sedative effect, unlike antipsychotics and tranquilizers. However, with long-term use, they can effectively remove attacks of aggressiveness that arise as part of depressive states (endogenous, organic, neurotic).

There are a lot of antidepressants; doctors divide them into several generations and into groups depending on their structure and mechanism of action.

Main antidepressants:

• amitriptyline;
• clomipramine;
• escitalopram;
• paroxetine;
• fluvoxamine;
• agomelatine.