Inhalants—Anxiety

Fear and anxiety are part of life. You may feel anxious before you take a test or walk down a dark street. This kind of anxiety is useful – it can make you more alert or careful. It usually ends soon after you are out of the situation that caused it. But for millions of people in the United States, the anxiety does not go away, and gets worse over time. They may have chest pains or nightmares. They may even be afraid to leave home. These people have anxiety disorders. Types include

• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Phobias
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Treatment can involve medicines, therapy or both.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

• Generalized anxiety disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): When Worry Gets Out of Control – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Institute of Mental Health) – PDF
• Generalized anxiety disorder – children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Generalized anxiety disorder — self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Palliative care – fear and anxiety (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Separation anxiety in children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stress and your health (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Huffing

If you’re a parent, you may fear that your kids will use drugs such as marijuana or LSD. But you may not realize the dangers of substances in your own home. Household products such as glues, hair sprays, paints and lighter fluid can be drugs for kids in search of a quick high. Many young people inhale vapors from these, not knowing that it can cause serious health problems.

Both parents and kids need to know the dangers. Even inhaling once can disrupt heart rhythms and lower oxygen levels. Either of these can cause death. Regular abuse can result in serious harm to the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver.

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse

• Inhalants – NIH (National Institute on Drug Abuse) – PDF
• Substance use — inhalants (Medical Encyclopedia)