We’ve all felt anxious at some point, whether we call it feeling uncomfortable, nervous, or tense. It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious, and in fact, to some extent it can have good effects, such as energizing us for a big game or sharpening our consciousness for an interview or exam.
But some forms of anxiety aren’t as healthy as others. If you get a little worked up before a test, that can be beneficial. However, if you can’t sleep well the night before, or you start to sweat profusely and feel nauseated when you enter the exam room, this is a more serious anxiety attack and if you find this to be part of an ongoing pattern, you should to look for help. .
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Our stress reaction is a built-in survival mechanism that originally allowed us to act instantly when our lives were threatened. To prepare for action, the heartbeat strengthens to pump blood to all muscles, and blood pressure rises.
When action has been taken and the danger has passed or the problem has been resolved, the body relaxes and returns to normal once more. But when the threat is low-level and ongoing, as is common in the emotionally stressful situations of modern life, often no direct action can be taken to deal with it, and the body will suffer the long-term effects of the stress. Secondary symptoms may develop; these may include skin rashes, blemishes, weight problems (underweight or overweight). Oddly enough, those who suffer from anxiety can also experience increased aggression or the opposite effect, becoming completely inhibited, withdrawn, and even extremely depressed.
TYPES OF ANXIETY
Anxiety takes many forms. Some have obvious causes, such as a fear of dogs in someone who was bitten or frightened by one as a child. Other ways are not as clear cut and can include relationship anxiety that can make you sexually impotent or frigid. Occasionally, the anxiety takes a nonspecific form, such as a sudden, unexplained panic on the way to the office or a general sense of hopelessness about the state of the world (called “anguish”).
CAUSES OF ANXIETY
There are two main theories about the causes of anxiety. The first holds that it is due to a personality disorder that makes our psychological defenses unable to function as they should. In other words, instead of recognizing the anxiety symptoms and dealing with them, the patient turns the symptoms into a pattern, one that is often self-defeating.
The second theory states that there is a fault in some physical function, especially in the nervous system. This may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the body. Supporters of this theory believe that these “faults” can be cured by effective and painless drug therapy.
Third, some theorists suggest that the causes of the problem are much simpler than any of these facts, it is merely a result of modern life: the widespread loss of social and ethical values and a response to conditions about which we no longer know. Sorry to have any check.
ANXIETY TREATMENT
It is possible to try to cope with anxiety on your own. The first thing to do is recognize and accept the symptoms and try to discover and deal with the causes.
But, if this self-help process is not enough -and not even with the help of family and friends- it is best that you consult a doctor. The doctor can refer you to a psychotherapist who will help you discover and deal with the causes. This treatment can be carried out both in individual sessions and in the company of other anxiety patients in group psychotherapy.
Many doctors are suggesting alternative therapies, the purpose of most of which is to help you relax and gain greater self-awareness. These can include yoga, breathing exercises, biofeedback, or even meditation.
