What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a stress response. It may leave you feeling apprehensive about the future or upcoming event. Anxiety may also respond to feeling unable to handle a stressful event and can be anything from a doctor’s appointment to a funeral. Your children may feel anxious before the beginning of the school year or when they have to take a test such as a final exam.
Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes, but when you remain in a constant anxiety state, according to the National Institutes of Health, you may be suffering from another disorder such as:
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- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Social Phobias
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
These anxiety disorders are similar but can have different symptoms. If you feel your stress response is extreme and paralyzes you from action, consider these symptoms from the Mayo Clinic to determine if your anxiety level can be categorized as a disorder. Do you:
- Worry persistently even when there is no valid reason to?
- Have difficulties let go of worries?
- Feel revved up and unable to relax?
- Have trouble concentrating or experiencing brain fog?
- Worry that you are worrying too much?
- Difficulty making permanent decisions?
- Get frustrated with indecision?
- Think situations through to a negative end?
Anxiety can prevent you from living your life. It may also affect your children. Your anxiety affects them, but they may suffer from anxiety too. A home filled with stress or trauma can result in anxious people. Some physical signs that you are eager and have difficulty controlling your worry include:
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Experiencing twitches
- Muscle tension
- Insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Stomach distress
Look for signs in your children that they are anxious if they worry about fitting in, are obsessive about their homework and redo papers in an attempt to be perfect, lack confidence and are constantly seeking your approval or desire a lot of reassurance they are doing things correctly. Your child may be overly worried about their school performance, and you can help them reduce their anxiety.
Your worries may not be linked to a specific event. You may worry for no reason or to fear. For example, you may be anxious about losing your job or your teenager getting into a car accident. Some worries are every day and prepare you for life’s events, but if you find yourself obsessing about life, you may have an anxiety disorder and should speak with a health care practitioner.
What is Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder differs from the brief anxiety you experience when going for an interview or public speaking. When the feelings of anxiety last for six months or longer, the National Institutes of Health consider it a disorder. The NIH answers the question, “What does anxiety mean? By classifying a disorder as excessive, irrational fear or dread. It is an overwhelming, all-consuming feeling that danger is everywhere and you are powerless to do anything about it.
What is an Anxiety Attack?
An anxiety attack or panic attack has many symptoms as severe anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, you may also experience things such as:
- Rapid heart rate
- Inability to catch your breath
- Nausea
- Feeling of dying
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chills or hot flashes
- Hyperventilation
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
What is an Anxiety Attack?
Typically, an anxiety attack occurs for no reason and can happen in a social situation or at home. You may feel as if you are dying and cannot stop the worry from manifesting in these physical symptoms.
What is Social Anxiety?
Once you have had a panic attack, you may fear going out into public and risk the chance of having an anxiety attack away from home. This causes many people with anxiety disorders to cross the line into agoraphobia– the fear of going outside. Unfortunately, panic attacks usually get worse if left on your own. It would help if you had medical treatment from a qualified professional.
What Causes Anxiety Attacks?
Genetics may play a role in whether or not you are susceptible to anxiety attacks. But, also, a misfire in the brain or an altered brain chemical could be to blame. This is why medical advice is needed.
Treatment
If you experience extreme anxiety and feel you have an anxiety disorder or have had a panic attack, speak with your doctor. Treatment for anxiety disorders includes:
- Therapy
- Medication
- Exercise
- Reduction in caffeine and alcohol
- Eat a healthy diet
- Improve sleeping patterns
- Develop relaxation techniques
It is essential to get help right away for anxiety disorders and anxiety attacks. The sooner you get service, the sooner you feel better. It is also necessary to stick with the treatment plan the doctor gives you. A support group may also be helpful, so you do not feel alone as you find your way through this process.
Begin incorporating things into your day that help you relax. These may include meditation, listening to music, exercise, yoga, deep breathing techniques, or nature walks. Find the things that help you calm your body and your mind so that you can let go of the worry and embrace your life.
Anxiety can be a severely debilitating feeling, but it does not control you. You are solid and robust and can live a life free of worry.
