Anxiety is the common name for a group of symptoms that arise when stressful situations are present. A racing heart, sweaty palms, intense fear, and feelings of not being able to breath are all symptoms of anxiety. This can be traced back to the days of 'fight or flight' when life depended on awareness and adrenaline. However, today anxiety can help people to perform better if it's utilized properly. The problem arises when anxiety is prolonged and severe. In cases where fear is present, a phobia may be the underlying problem causing the anxiety. Extreme fear of social settings, the judgements of others, or even unrealistic fears of death can all be crippling to a normal psyche. Phobias such as social anxiety, separation disorder, and PTSD should all be monitored by a physician.
What Causes Anxiety?
There are numerous triggers for anxiety. Childhood trauma, war, chemical imbalances in the brain and environmental factors like floods or hurricanes can cause severe anxiety. Most people have some sort of trauma that could result in anxiety. However, different people handle stress differently.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is very common among those that have served in war zones. Soldiers find that anxiety causes them to lose sleep, suffer from a lack of appetite, and be very nervous around loud noises. Some soldiers are able to exercise or participate in a favorite hobby to alleviate the feelings of anxiety. Others have disabling fear that stops them from going out, holding a job, or even playing with their children. This is an anxiety disorder. A therapist or doctor is necessary to help manage the anxiety at this point.
Less severe anxiety, such as dreading a test or experiencing butterflies before walking down the aisle in a wedding are common and easily rectified once the situation is over. After a test or following the marriage ceremony, for instance, the anxiety will disappear. This kind of anxiety is normal and requires no intervention from doctors.
Symptoms and Consequences of Anxiety
There are many common symptoms of anxiety including:
- Worry
- Restlessness
- Lack of focus
- Lack of appetite
- Increased Heart Rate
- Rapid Breathing
- Sweating
An anxiety attack (also known as a panic attack) occurs with symptoms including:
- Numbness or Tingling
- Feeling Faint
- Being Unable to Concentrate
- Chills
- Hot Flashes
Left untreated, minor situational anxiety will go away on its own. Untreated, prolonged, and severe anxiety will only worsen over time. Certain phobias, irrational fears, and hallucinations may occur. People may develop fears of going outside, to work, or socializing. When this happens the person will seek seclusion. As a result, they may be unable to work or maintain a family. The person can become homeless as a result of job loss. They may be divorced due to the inability to connect with others. They may feel 'crazy'. These extreme cases can be avoided in most situations.
No matter what the cause of the anxiety, a good therapist is usually able to help ease the symptoms over time. Proper medications and exercise could provide excellent results when an anxiety attack occurs.
Handling Anxiety Attacks
While many people cannot stop an anxiety attack from happening, they may be able to control the severity and duration of the attack. Learning coping mechanisms such as breathing techniques, mediation, yoga, and journaling can help to minimize the amount of stress in life, which also lessons the anxiety experienced. Medication and psychotherapy can also help immensely with the symptoms.
Finding a favorite hobby which requires concentration can often help, too. Painting, working on cars, or watching funny videos will help to shift focus in many people. Instead of focusing on what is making them afraid, they can focus on creativity and laughter.
There are also natural ways to help with anxiety and stress. Getting enough sleep, avoiding caffeine, limiting sugar, and even breathing lavender essential oils can all help calm frayed nerves. Suffering from anxiety is unacceptable. Treatment can help.