SECONDARY CONDITIONS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS: FEELING UNWELL AND ALCOHOL
The third category of avoidance behaviour is not known or realised by almost anyone who does not have the disorder. It is the avoidance of situations and/or places because of feeling generally unwell most of the time.
As well as suffering the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, our level of overall fitness deteriorates rapidly. We begin to experience a general sense of feeling unwell. Some people compare this to ongoing ‘flu-like’ symptoms. We are also continually exhausted, as the anxiety and panic attacks consume all our energy. Going out, going to work or doing the normal day-to-day things around the house mean not only trying to keep the anxiety and panic attacks at bay, but also trying to overcome the feeling of being unwell and the all-consuming fatigue.
The use of alcohol is another control and some people will go on to develop an alcohol dependence. Both men and women use it, although it appears to be the major control used by men.
Many people with the disorders feel it is more socially acceptable to have an alcohol problem than to admit to having an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of a hangover can also perpetuate the anxiety. We misinterpret these symptoms as a warning” of an impending panic attack, so we have another drink in an effort to control it.
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