Do you ever experience uneasiness or apprehension when making an important decision that could change your life? If you do, it's a common feeling associated with anxiety and often a healthy response to stress or danger. Anxiety can also manifest as feelings of dread and fear. Some people may experience physical symptoms such as sweating, dry mouth, trembling, restlessness, or a rapid heart rate when anxious.
Anxiety becomes a disorder when that feeling of fear, worry, or dread does not go away and becomes overwhelming and interferes with your daily activities such as work or social interactions. Symptoms associated with anxiety disorders are restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep problems.
What are anxiety disorders?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are several types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) : is characterized by excessive worry about everyday issues such as health, money, work, or family for at least six months on most days.
Panic Disorder: People with panic disorders experience sudden, repeated periods of intense fear called panic attacks, even when there is no danger. These attacks come on quickly and can last several minutes or more.
Phobias: People with phobias experience an intense and irrational fear of particular objects, situations, or animals that pose little or no actual danger. These fears may include spiders, flying, crowded places, or social situations.
What is the cause of anxiety disorders?
Many factors can play a role in contributing to anxiety disorders, such as environment, genetics, stress, and brain biology.
What are the Risk Factors?
Different anxiety disorders have varying risk factors. For example, GAD and phobias are more common in women, while social anxiety affects both genders equally. Some general risk factors apply to all anxiety disorders.
Some factors that may contribute to developing anxiety disorder are:
Being naturally shy or introverted, especially when facing new situations or meeting new people.
Experiencing traumatic events during childhood or adulthood.
Having a family history of mental disorders, including anxiety.
Suffering from certain physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or arrhythmia.
How do you manage anxiety?
Here are a few helpful tips for coping with anxiety:
Talk Therapy
Avoid certain foods that increase stress and anxiety
Practice Mindfulness
Identify triggers
Focused, deep breathing
Exercise
Aromatherapy
If you need support coping with anxiety, sign up for a discovery call at Shining Light Holistic Health and Wellness today!
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