Breaking Down Anxiety: A Guide to its Meaning and Impact

We all experience anxiety sometimes. It's normal to worry when dealing with stressful events or big life changes. Many people worry about things such as health, finances, or family problems. Anxiety can sometimes motivate us to take actions that address problems and protect us from danger.

However, when worrying or fear become frequent and overwhelming, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. Symptoms can interfere with everyday activities and relationships.

If you feel you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, it might be time to seek help.

Symptoms of anxiety

An anxiety disorder is not the same as occasionally worrying about things or experiencing anxiety due to stressful life events. It usually involves persistent, excessive worry or fear in situations that are not threatening and can interfere with daily life. People living with an anxiety disorder experience frequent anxiety for months, if not years.

Anxiety affects people in different ways. There are lots of symptoms linked to anxiety, so if you’re suffering from anxiety, you may find that your symptoms differ from those experienced by other people.

People typically experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Physical

• Pounding or racing heart

• Rapid, shallow breathing

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Chest pain

• Upset stomach

• Sweating

• Trembling

• Tingling in hands and/or feet

• Muscle aches or unexplained pains

• Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep

Emotional

• Feeling tense or nervous

• Feelings of panic or dread

• Feelings of things being out of control

• Mood swings

Mental

• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry

• Difficulty concentrating

• Mind often going blank

• Anticipating the worst outcomes and being watchful for signs of danger

Behavioral

• Restlessness or irritability

• Decreased ability to perform normal daily activities

• Avoiding everyday situations that trigger anxiety

• Inability to enjoy leisure time

• Social withdrawal and isolation

Risk factors for anxiety

The exact causes of anxiety are not easy to pinpoint. Researchers believe that a combination of factors contribute to the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Common risk factors include:

• Exposure to stressful and negative life events

• A history of anxiety among biological relatives

• Excessive, persistent stress

• Having a chronic health condition or serious illness

• Certain personality traits

• Certain medications

• Bullying, harassment or abuse

• Some physical health conditions, such as a thyroid disorder or heart arrhythmia

• Substance use and abuse

Seeking help

If you have symptoms of anxiety that are persistent and worrying you, make an appointment with your health care provider. Some medical conditions and medications can produce symptoms similar to anxiety.

A medical evaluation from a health care provider may help them diagnose your symptoms. After ruling out an underlying physical condition or medication side effect, they may refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation and treatment.

Treatment

Anxiety is generally treated with psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”), medication, or a combination of the two.

In addition, more and more people are starting to use complementary health approaches along with conventional treatment to help with their recovery.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most researched type of psychotherapy and is the gold standard for treating anxiety. In general, CBT focuses on finding negative thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. It teaches you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations to help you feel less anxious and fearful.

CBT delivered virtually by a therapist using technology — such as video, chat, text, phone calls or online learning modules can be just as effective as therapy delivered in-person.

Medication

Medication can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. The most common medications used to help manage anxiety are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

Health care providers can prescribe medication for anxiety and should advise on the potential benefits, risks and side effects.

Complementary health approaches

Some of the common complementary health approaches used along with conventional treatment for anxiety include:

• Self-management techniques - such as allocating an appropriate time slot in your daily activities for worrying. Then the next time a worry comes up, thinking about it is put off until that slot.

• Stress and relaxation Techniques – such as breathing exercises and meditation. These can calm you down and may also help with some of the physical symptoms, such as headaches and muscle tension.

• Exercise - engaging in regular physical activity can have a positive effect on your anxiety.

Takeaway

Anxiety affects people in different ways. After understanding what anxiety is and how it affects you, if you feel you need a mental health professional to help you deal with your anxiety so you can live a better life, then online therapy can make an immense difference.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular treatment option for anxiety, and research shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy.

Online therapy comes with the following benefits:

• Flexible - You can schedule therapy sessions for times that are most convenient for you.

• Convenient - You can access therapy from anywhere, from the comfort or your home or wherever you feel most comfortable.

• Time-saving - You don’t have to travel or spend months on a waiting list for a suitable therapist in your area

Many people live with anxiety- but they don’t have to. Help is available for achieving better mental well-being.