Anxiety as a Mental Health Problem

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By now we’ve all heard and/or used something like “My anxiety is really bad right now” or “I‘m so anxious about XYZ“. And that’s because the feeling of anxiety is fairly common.

Anxiety is when you’re worried, tense, or afraid, particularly about things that are going to take place or that you think might happen in the future. Humans inherently have anxiety when they feel a sense of danger to their safety. It’s something that you can sense, think about, and experience.

You can become anxious and unsure of whether your next move is the ideal one to make. Or you may feel anxious when you’re anticipating a new event, and you’re unsure what to expect. Many people occasionally experience anxiety. Anxiety is a common side effect when dealing with difficult situations or changes, especially those potentially impacting your life.

When is our anxiety a mental health problem?

So now you know anxiety is fairly common. The question is when is your anxiety a mental health issue? If your anxiety interferes with your ability to lead a life as entirely as you would like, it could be a mental health issue. Here are some other ways anxiety may be interfering with your quality of life:

• Your anxiety symptoms are severe or persistent.
• Your worries or fears are excessive, given the circumstances.
• You avoid situations that could make you feel nervous
• You worry a lot or find it challenging to regulate your anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks.
• You find it challenging to carry out daily activities or engage in enjoyable activities.

Common symptoms of anxiety

Here are a few signs and symptoms of anxiety or panic attack:

• Breathing difficulties or suffocating feelings
• Heart Palpitations
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Painful or tingling muscles
• Upset stomach
• Fear of impending disaster
• Fear of passing away or being unconscious
• Generalized fear
• Social phobia or agoraphobia
• Low self-regard
• Health concern
• Appetite changes
• Self-harm

What are some types of anxiety disorders?

There are various types of anxiety disorders. It’s best to speak to a licensed mental health professional if you are experiencing excessive anxiety symptoms. Here are a few common anxiety disorders:

Social anxiety disorder:

Fear or uneasiness in social circumstances is a symptom of a type of anxiety disorder known as social anxiety disorder, often known as social phobia.

You might find engaging in social interactions, making new friends, and participating in activities challenging. You will be concerned about being observed or assessed by others. Individuals will worry about being closely and continuously followed by others and judged by them.

Panic disorder:

Panic disorder comprises experiencing frequent panic attacks and constantly being on edge about having another one. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety condition that produces regular, unforeseen panic or fear attacks.

Specific Phobias:

This is characterized by extreme anxiety and unreasonable fear of a circumstance or an object, such as a fear of spiders or wide-open spaces. The irrationality of their terror may be known to those who suffer from phobias.

Phobias can be brought on by genetics and environmental factors. If a close relative suffers from an anxiety disorder, children are more prone to have phobias. Disturbing events, like nearly drowning, can cause fear to grow. Phobias might develop due to contact with terrifying heights, tight spaces, wildlife, or insect stings.

 

Six Tips for Managing Anxiety

Here are 6 tips on how to manage anxiety:

Know the symptoms

If you can recognize the signs of anxiety, you may be able to take appropriate action before your symptoms worsen. Headaches, stomachaches, insomnia, or disordered eating may be signs that you should utilize some coping skills to manage your emotions.

Eat healthily

Bad eating habits may result from hectic lifestyles. You should plan a time to eat a healthy breakfast or bring a meal loaded with fruits and vegetables to work with you.

Learn relaxation techniques

You might experience a reduction in stress and anxiety by learning specific relaxation techniques – deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, for example. Try the CalmiGo. This device is scientifically proven and uses 3 methods: breathing regulation, relaxing scent, and multisensory stimulation.

Try something new

It would help if you tried something new, like yoga, gardening, music, or any other pastime, to reduce stress and temporarily divert your attention from problems.

Incorporate social interactions

You should start interacting and spending time with your loved ones or join a group to meet people to practice being social. Others may be found who can offer psychological and practical support.

Set goals

Taking the time to make a plan may be helpful if you are feeling overburdened by financial or work issues. Set goals and priorities, then mark them off as completed. People who have a plan may find it easier to decline additional requests from others that make them feel uncomfortable.

The Takeaway

Anxiety is a form of stress response that is characterized by feelings of concern, dread, or discomfort around a particular circumstance. You may experience agitation, nausea, or the sensation that your stomach is turning. An anxiety attack can resemble an unexpected feeling of terror when there is no danger.

People who have anxiety or panic attacks that interfere with their daily lives should consult with a healthcare provider to find out about available therapies.

Try our Anxiety and Worry Management workbook!

Other Articles on Anxiety:

• Why do I worry so much? 3 anxiety tips that saved me