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Anxiety - Understanding it
By Joshua A
Do you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks? Glenda did, too. Read about
the One Natural Technique Glenda used to STOP anxiety and panic attacks FAST!
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What happens to my body?
In order to protect the body from the imminent threat, the brain releases certain hormones into the blood in order to propare the body for action (fight or flight). This produces some of the unpleasant feelings associated with anxiety:
Heart rate increases - because the body needs plenty of blood circulating around the large muscles to prepare for movement.
Digestive functions slow down - so that energy can be redirected to more important areas of the body.
Breathing increases - because the body has to take in more oxygen to function efficiently.
Sweating occurs - in order to cool the body down.
Other symptoms include - tightness in the chest, dizziness, faintness, shaking, muscle tension, or needing the toilet more often.
Who suffers from anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are common, affecting 1 in every 20 people at any one time, although many people do not seek help. More women than men tend to seek help for anxiety. Anxiety disorders often start in the twenties, but may begin earlier, and also occur in older people.
What causes anxiety?
The cause for anxiety is not always clear. It may develop as a result of emotional or social problems, occasionally starting after a stressful or frightening event. One theory is that some of these problems are caused by unhelpful, negative thoughts.
Negative thinking and avoidance
Frightening thoughts - Many people misinterpret what is happening to their body and may think of the worst case scenario, They may think that they are going mad, having a heart attack, dying, or making a fool of themselves. Other worries may be about being sick, passing out, or acting in a strange way.
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When to seek help
You should think about seeing your doctor if:
Your anxiety does not improve.
Your fears are persistent and hard to control.
Anxiety is stopping you from leading your normal life.
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Avoidance behaviours - To deal with frightening thoughts and feelings, people often avoid certain situations, restrict their behaviours, or eat/drink/smoke excessively. These behaviours may offer short-term relief, but in the long run can stop people having a full and enjoyable life.
Stressful situations
Some people experience anxiety out of the blue in unlikely places, while others experience it in familiar situations, such as home, work, or in public. Anxiety can also be related to traumatic events or continuous stress.
Are my feelings normal?
Everyone has feelings of anxiety from time to time. Sometimes these can be a helpful motivator, such as in sporting events. Feeling stressed does not mean that we are abnormal, weak or mad, but it does become a problem when it interferes with our everyday lives. Anxiety can reduce our confidence because we start to do fewer and fewer of the things we used to be able to do. We may then slip into a vicious circle where, because we feel less confident, we avoid certain situations, and because we avoid them, we deny ourselves the chance to prove we can do them. We then feel even less confidant, and so on.
When is anxiety a problem?
When symptoms of anxiety are intense or long lasting, they interfere with a persons concentration and ability to do routine tasks. Interference with daily living, as much as the symptoms themselves, may lead a person to seek help. Common experiences include:
- Feeling anxious almost constantly in a wide range or situations.
- Suddenly feeling overwhelmed with anxiety out of the blue.
- Not being able to go into open, busy places or even leave the house.
- Avoiding situations out of fear of being embarassed or humiliated.
- Feeling anxious when confronted with a specific situation (such as spiders, dogs, or lifts).
- Feeling stressed long after a traumatic event has occured.
- Having obsessive, distressing thoughts and/or rituals.
Ways to help yourself
Talking about it - Perhaps the first thing to do is to talk about your feelings with someone supportive like a partner of friend.
Challenge negative thoughts - Stand back and evaluate exactly how realistic these scarey, negative thoughts really are.
One step at a time - Dont worry about what will happen in the future. Try not to think that a bad event that happens will lead to another, even though the first hasnt happened yet.
Accept yourself - Try not to compair yourself to others. Remind yourself of your own positive skills and achievements when feeling low.
Breathe calmly - Learn how to breathe from your diaphragm in a controlled way; use these techniques when you begin to feel anxious.
Learn to handle attacks of panic - Remember that an attack of panic will end. However bad it feels, it will not hurt you.
Review your lifestyle - to reduce stress, try to think about diet and exercise. Take part in enjoyable activities. Get support from friends and family.
Know your early signs - Be aware of how you are feeling to prevent a panic attack from becoming overwhelming.
What help or treatment is available?
Visit your doctor - Some people find their anxiety reduces once they recognise and understand their physical symptoms.
Medication - If reassurance and understanding do not improve things, a short course of medication may be helpful in reducing levels of anxiety and helping you feel more able to carry on with life.
Psychological treatment and counselling - You may be referred to see a mental health professional, such as a counsellor in the doctors practice or, where problems are more entrenched, a clinical psychologist.
About the Author:
Joshua A is the owner of Social Anxiety Forums
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