WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT ANXIETY?

In the modern world, anxiety, a common and frequently disabling mental health problem, has reached pandemic proportions. Although it is common to occasionally feel anxious in reaction to stressful conditions, persistent and excessive anxiety can have a substantial negative influence on a person’s quality of life.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Anxiety is a multifaceted condition characterized by continuous feelings of uneasiness such as fear, worry, and apprehension. It is important to note that anxiety is a normal human emotion that serves as a protective mechanism, alerting us to possible threats and helping us navigate harmful situations. Anyhow, when anxiety becomes chronic, it can interfere with daily functioning and lead to a range of physical and psychological symptoms.

CAUSES OF ANXIETY

Anxiety can arise due to various factors, including genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances, and also environmental influences. Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, and major changes may be associated with the development of anxiety disorders. Moreover, certain medical conditions, substance abuse, and withdrawal symptoms from drugs or medications can trigger symptoms of anxiety.

There’s a fine line between anxiety and anxiety disorder. Anxiety is triggered by a specific stressor but anxiety disorder lasts for weeks or even months. It has a starting and ending point but anxiety disorder interferes with daily life. Anxiety disorder feels impossible to control or manage but relaxing helps you control your anxiety.

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, each with its own set of symptoms and triggers. Typical forms of anxiety disorders include the following:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This condition is characterized by persistent, excessive worry and tension about many different elements of life, frequently without a clear cause or focus.
• Panic disorder: Frequent, unprovoked panic attacks accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom.
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD): excessive anxiety about social circumstances and ongoing self-consciousness that makes it difficult to engage in social relationships.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Repetitive behaviors (compulsions) and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that people feel forced to engage in in order to reduce anxiety.
• Post-terrible stress disorder  (PTSD): This condition manifests as nightmares, flashbacks, and increased anxiety and develops after experiencing or witnessing a terrible event.

SYMPTOMS

Numerous symptoms, such as excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, difficulties concentrating, muscle tension, disturbed sleep, and panic episodes, might be present in people with anxiety disorders. These symptoms can affect one’s ability to function at work, maintain healthy relationships, and generally feel good, which lowers one’s quality of life and increases emotional discomfort.

SYMPTOMS THEY DO NOT TALK ABOUT

• Achy muscles after walking up
• Constantly needing to use the restroom
• Skin problems
• Breathlessness
• Overly sensitive or easily triggered
• Anger issues
• Unexplained headaches, and stomach problems
• Dizziness and numbness
• Doing everything quickly
• Not being able to speak
• Insomnia
• Overscheduling or overworking and even overthinking
• Struggling to make decisions
• Forgetfulness
• Constant need for assurance

People with anxiety may secretly do things such as replaying past events in their head. And they try to correct them because anxiety makes them focus on their past mistakes, imagine the future, and rewatch tv shows over and over again because they know what will happen in that show and they do not have the fear of uncertainty, socially withdraw themselves but feel overwhelmed by reading messages and do not know what and how to reply and many more things.

TREATMENT

Fortunately, there are treatments available for anxiety disorders, and a variety of methods can be used to help people control and treat their symptoms. Treatment choices could be:

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and other talk therapies can assist people in recognizing and changing unfavorable thought patterns and anxiety-related behaviors.
• Medication: In some circumstances, medication such as benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be recommended to treat severe anxiety symptoms. But a licensed healthcare expert should always prescribe and oversee the use of drugs.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Stress-reduction practices including routine exercise, mindfulness meditation, sufficient sleep, and a healthy diet can reduce anxiety.
• Support Networks: Establishing a support network with friends, family, or support organizations helps soothe, and eventually cure your anxiety.

CONCLUSION

In millions of people all over the world, anxiety is a common mental health disorder. We can foster a sympathetic and encouraging environment for people who are experiencing anxiety by raising awareness and understanding of the condition. Never forget that getting professional assistance is essential. With the correct care and assistance, people with anxiety can live productive lives free from the grip of excessive worry and fear.