What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times. Key features of anxiety include:
- A sense of apprehension or fear
- Worrying thoughts about possible negative outcomes
- Physical symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, fatigue, irritability, and problems sleeping
Anxiety becomes a disorder when the feelings:
- Are more intense than expected for the situation
- Interfere with daily life and functioning
- Persist for more than 6 months
There are several types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday issues
- Social anxiety disorder involves extreme fear around social situations
- Panic disorder involves sudden, overwhelming panic attacks
- Phobias involve intense, irrational fear of specific things or situations
What causes anxiety?
- Genetics and family history
- Brain chemistry and function
- Environmental factors like chronic stress
Anxiety is treatable through:
- Psychotherapy to identify thought patterns contributing to anxiety
- Medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds
- Relaxation techniques like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, sufficient sleep
To manage anxiety on your own:
- Identify and limit triggers
- Practice relaxing activities daily
- Maintain healthy lifestyle habits
- Share feelings with supportive friends and family
- Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse
Managing anxiety can be challenging, but taking small steps makes a big difference. If you need professional help, consider reaching out to Renew Wellness for support.