What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling that many individuals often experience when they are stressed out. They may experience diverse types of symptoms. Studies have shown that not everyone has the same symptoms or all the symptoms that are associated with the feeling of anxiety.
Symptoms
Symptoms -may vary in individuals. They may not experience all the symptoms associated with this anxiety/ panic disorder, such as restlessness, irritability, nervousness, headaches, sweating, insomnia, uneasiness, unnecessary worry, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and even tremors. There are several other symptoms associated with anxiety disorders as well.
Anxiety /panic disorder tends to fall into several groups of mental illnesses. Which is classified as a part of the mental illness field.
Agoraphobia -will often cause an individual to avoid places or situations that might cause them to panic. Most individuals who suffer from agoraphobia have anywhere from mild to severe panic attacks. I worked with a 25-year-old female years ago that experience a severe panic attack. It was like her mind and body froze up! She could not function and could not even perform her daily living activities. Thank goodness her mother was able to aid her and finally get medical help for her.
Generalized anxiety disorder -involves excessive and persistent anxiety for an individual that creates consistent worry about even simple, ordinary activities. Years ago, I had a family member who suffered from this disorder. She even worried about what foods she could eat at each meal daily and if she needed to exercise daily. Making her bed and washing clothes every day was a problem.
Panic disorder- involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety that tend to occur rapidly. Most individuals who have panic attacks experience the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, or rapid, fluttering, or pounding heart (heart palpitations). My daughter started with panic attacks when she was 6 years old. Thank goodness our family doctor placed her on medications. She is an adult now, but at times she will experience a panic attack when her stress level is exceedingly high.
Social anxiety disorders –will often create elevated levels of anxiety for an individual. They tend to experience fear and will avoid getting involved in any social situations due to feelings of embarrassment. Most individuals who suffer from social anxiety disorder are very self-conscious and concerned about being judged negatively by other individuals. As a teenager and a young adult, I often had problems with this. People were judging me. I stayed mostly to myself and did not make a lot of friends. Eventually, I learned to overcome my fears.
Separation anxiety disorder- has been mostly classified as a childhood disorder characterized by a prominent level of anxiety shown by a child when they are separated from their parents. It can also include grandparents or other caretakers who play a key role in a child’s life.
My children experienced this when they were small, and a lot of small children do. Occasionally, I know several adults can experience this type of anxiety. Usually, adults depend on their parents a great deal of their time for everything related to their lives. They were very clingy towards their parents and displayed childlike behaviors.
A lot of individuals are unaware that animals can have these feelings as well. I have problems with my dogs. My younger dogs tend to become terribly upset when I leave them at home alone, and like to chew things up. Therefore, I put them up in a kennel pen until I come back home. Unfortunately, when I come back home, my younger dogs tend to be unsociable towards me for about two to three hours. Guess it is my punishment for leaving them alone. My older dog just lies around and goes to sleep. She is not bothered by my leaving and has never even been like a puppy. I have noticed that several small children act this way towards their parents or caretakers when they experience separation anxiety disorder.
Substance-induced anxiety disorder – symptoms include intense anxiety or panic that most individuals believe can often directly involve street drugs, encountering a toxic substance or withdrawal from drugs. But this does not necessarily mean just street drugs. Individuals tend to experience symptoms of substance-induced anxiety disorder related to prescription drugs as well. These are just a few of the many diverse types of anxiety disorders. New, differently labelled ones tend to pop up every day. Most individuals who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear when doing even simple things in life. When their anxiety level is high, many individuals tend to hide themselves from the world.
There are many individuals who are not aware of the reason as to “why” they suffer from an anxiety disorder. During the last century, doctors have become more aware of the circumstances involved in individuals developing anxiety disorders. There are many reasons as to “why” an individual may experience diverse types of anxiety disorders.
What are the reasons for these anxiety /panic disorders?
Genetically inherited- research has shown there is a likelihood that if an individual has a family member who has suffered from an anxiety disorder, then it can be passed down through generations to other family members.
Traumatic events-most children who were exposed to abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) or other traumatic experiences will often develop anxiety disorders. Children who come from homes where domestic violence is present or are brought up in this type of environment often suffer from anxiety disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many adults exposed to any traumatic experiences will often develop anxiety disorders.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -is a mental health condition that causes severe anxiety. Often, it is triggered by a horrible event that has happened to that individual, or they have seen something horrible. Many individuals experience a lifetime of emotional scars. Symptoms may include flashbacks of traumatic events that happen, difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares, and difficulty adjusting and coping, even with a simple routine involving their daily lifestyle.
Stressful Events/ Stress related to health problems-creates a lot of anxiety, which unfortunately can play a big part in an individual’s health problems. Several illnesses like diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure, as well as other ongoing chronic health problems, have been known to be related not only to an individual’s lifestyle or heredity factors but also to their stress level. Family conflicts, financial problems, lack of friendships, fear of the unknown, work-related issues, school-related issues, and the loss of a loved one.
Drug or alcohol -many individuals are unaware of the danger that engages in using, overusing, or even withdrawing from street drugs, habit -forming prescription drugs, and alcohol. They often do not understand that this can cause severe anxiety.
Brain damage-these changes can occur due to strokes, trauma involving the brain, cancer, drug abuse, or other health problems that directly affect the brain alone and can create distinct types of anxiety disorders to be displayed by an individual.
Certain medications- most individuals are not aware that certain medications, whether they are prescription medications or over-the-counter medications, can trigger anxiety/panic attacks.
Other Mental Health Disorders-there are many mental health disorders that often lead to an individual experiencing stress.
What can help?
1. Walking daily does help. Even if it is only for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Use aromatherapy. There are several scents that create a smooth/calming environment.
3. Exercise using low-impact exercises.
4. Learn and avoid triggers.
5. Set up and attend therapy.
6. Take your medications on a routine schedule.
7. Keep a journal daily.
8. Learn to love reading. Reading an enjoyable book in a quiet place can be calming.
9. Talk to your doctor about vitamin supplements that may help.
10. Learn to like/love yourself.
11. Socialize with others! Enjoy time with family.
12. Make friends who will have a positive effect on you.
13. Be yourself. Do not try to be someone you are not.
14. Learn to laugh more.
A friend once told me to always remember:
“Laughter is God’s hand on a troubled world!” So….
-Laugh a lot!
-Love hard!
-Live long!
*The most important thing to remember is never to be afraid to reach out for support when anxiety/panic symptoms start! It is never too late to get help, and the sooner, the better!
References:
1. Very Well Health. Understanding the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders. https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-anxiety-disorders-8629891
2. National Institute of Mental Health. What is Anxiety? https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
3. Mayo Clinic. Anxiety Disorders.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
4. American Psychiatric Association. What are anxiety disorders? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders
5. National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide Prevention. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
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