Identifying and Dealing with Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options
Mariella Arceo
Sep 06, 2022
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States, or 18% of the population. It's important to understand what anxiety is and how to identify its symptoms so that you can get help if you need it. In this blog post, we will discuss what anxiety is, its symptoms, and how to deal with it.
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety can fell overwhelming
Anxiety can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can be short-term or long-term. Some common symptoms of anxiety include intense fear, excessive worry, having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and headaches.
Anxiety varies from person to person; some people may experience fewer symptoms of anxiety than other people and some people may feel it more intensely. It is important to understand that all feelings and variations of anxiety are valid.
What causes anxiety?
There is no one cause of anxiety. It is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people may be born with a predisposition to anxiety, which means that they are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. This can be due to genes or brain chemistry. Additionally, daily life and stressful life events, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one, can trigger anxiety or make anxiety worse.
What's the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is a normal emotion that we all experience at times. It's what we feel when we're worried or nervous about something. An anxiety disorder is a more serious condition that can cause intense anxiety that interferes with daily life.
Anxiety disorders require to be diagnosed by a mental health professional and have different kinds such as generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other phobias.
Anxiety disorders, and even just anxiety itself, are both debilitating conditions that can interfere with one's ability in everyday life.
How do you calm anxiety?
If you're feeling anxious, there are some things you can do to calm yourself down and relieve symptoms of anxiety. Some self-care strategies that can help reduce anxiety include deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or stretching, journaling, spending time in nature and listening to calming music.
One of the most common relaxation techniques is the 3-3-3- rule. The 3-3-3 rule is a simple breathing technique you can do when you feel anxious. To do the technique, breathe in slowly for three counts, hold your breath for three counts and exhale slowly for three counts. Not only is this technique good for anxiety but also for panic attacks, occasional anxiety, stress management and dealing with negative thoughts and troublesome feelings.
How can I stop being anxious?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, there are some things you can do to manage your anxiety, like the ones mentioned in this blog post.
If your anxiety is severe or is interfering with your mental health and your ability to function, it's important to seek professional help. A therapist can work with you to identify the root cause of your anxiety and develop a treatment plan. Treatment options for anxiety include therapy, anti anxiety medications, or a combination of both.
If you're struggling with anxiety, don't hesitate to reach out for help . There are many resources available to you. Remember, you are not alone.
Mosaic Minds Counseling is here for you. If you or anyone you know is struggling with dealing with anxiety or anxiety disorders, do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can manage symptoms of anxiety for a better, more positive mental health.
