Anxiety

What is Anxiety?

Most people feel worried or tense before something big, like a test, and that is completely normal. Anxiety is the body's natural response to danger. Anxiety is not always a bad thing, it can help you stay focused, take action, and provide motivation to complete a task. However, when anxious feelings do not go away, it can make people feel overwhelmed and make them want to avoid it. This is more along the lines of an anxiety disorder. This is when these feelings start to affect a person's daily activities. Their anxious feelings do not go away and as time goes on, their symptoms get worse.

Signs and Symptoms

There are different symptoms associated with anxiety some of them include:

  • Feeling Apprehension
  • Being Watchful of Danger
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Feeling Irritable
  • Rapid Breathing and Heart Beat
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle Tension
  • Hyperventilating (short, quick breaths)
  • Insomnia (being unable to sleep)
  • What are the different types?

    Anxiety affects people differently. Similarly there are different types of anxiety disorders. Some of the more common ones include panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. These different disorders all typically show the signs and symptoms listed above.

    Panic Attacks

    Panic attacks are described as incidents where a person experiences intense fear. They can sometimes occur unexpectedly or they can be brought on by an event that had been causing an individual stress.

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

    GAD is shown when a person expresses extreme anxiety or worry for an extended period of time. An individual's worries may distract them from their everyday life and they can possibly feel that something bad may happen.

    Social Anxiety

    A person with social anxiety usually has a fear of being involved in social situations because of the possibility of being embarrassed or judged. The person may try to avoid social situations and it can be seen as extreme shyness by others.

    How is it managed?

    There are different ways that a person can help themselves through anxiety. Including:

  • Connecting with people that are supportive and caring
  • Use relaxation techniques like meditation
  • Exercising regularly, this can include simple things like walking
  • Reducing the amount of caffeine you intake
  • Training yourself to stay calm.

  • Professional help is also available for people who are having a trouble managing anxiety on their own. A therapist can help a person find the cause and type of anxiety a person is experiencing, then, create a plan for treatment.

    Sources:

    https://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/What_is_Anxiety.pdf

    https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-attacks-and-anxiety-disorders.htm

    https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml