What does anxiety look like?
Do you feel like no matter what you do, anxious and panicked emotions are always lurking in the back of your mind? Have fear and worry become a constant presence in your life? You’re not alone. Anxiety affects millions of people around the world, and understanding exactly what it is and how to best cope with these negative feelings can be difficult to conquer. In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at anxiety disorder and its differences from fear, panic, dread, etc., to help empower those struggling with an anxiety-induced situation. We'll delve into why people experience varying levels of anxiety throughout their lives as well as provide practical tools to control fearful thoughts before they take over completely. So if you want insight on managing emotions caused by overwhelming scenarios or just improving overall well-being through awareness - read on!
What is anxiety?
Anxiety, anxiety disorder, fear, and panic are all words that tend to be used interchangeably these days, However they differ in critical ways. Understanding the nuances of emotions and autonomic reactions like Anxiety, fear, panic, etc. is a pivotal first step in addressing and overcoming a litany of anxiety disorders. The DSM V describes Fear as “...the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat….” and “...surges of autonomic arousal necessary for fight or flight, thoughts of immediate danger, and escape behaviors…” , While anxiety is defined as “anticipation of future threat…often associated with muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future danger and cautious or avoidant behaviors.” (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Anxiety and Fear are natural physiological and emotional processes designed to help us perceive and appropriately react to threats. For example, it is normal to be a little anxious about one's physical health as they get older, as it motivates us to stay fit and eat healthy, or similarly it's helpful to have some feelings of fear in a dangerous situation, as it encourages us to get to safety as soon as possible. Further, physical symptoms of anxiety like increased heart rate and breathing is our body trying to prepare itself to exert energy to defend ourselves from a threat.
How does healthy anxiety differ from an anxiety disorder?
With that in mind, how does one know when their anxiety or fear reaches the level of a disorder? Broadley, Anxiety and fear become problematic when they begin to impact one’s ability to function and perform daily or desired tasks (I.e. Social anxiety may result in avoiding fun social functions one wants to attend). Furthermore, if this excessive anxiety lasts for a prolonged amount of time, usually 6 months or longer, then it may rise to the level of being considered a disorder.
There is a large variety of different ways an anxiety order can manifest. Some people struggle with Phobias ( high levels of fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation), Generalized anxiety ( A general excessive anxiety from numerous or unspecified sources), and/or social anxiety ( anxiety surrounding social interactions or situations). People suffering from an anxiety disorder tend to experience symptoms such as Restlessness/feeling on edge, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension or sleep disturbances (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Additionally, anxiety can also manifest into what is known as panic disorder. Panic Disorder is characterized by frequent and unexpected instances of intense fear and discomfort consisting of symptoms such as Trembling, sweating, increased heart rate, chest pain, feelings of dizziness or nausea, chills, fear of losing control or dying, etc. Further, the individual usually has intense feelings of anxiety in anticipation of future panic attacks. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Panic attacks can be debilitating and scary and can often be conflated with a physical health problem, and because of this, can sometimes be misdiagnosed.
Anxiety in teens and children
Anxiety Disorders Can manifest in anyone, regardless of age or gender, however it can be especially prevalent and hard to manage among teens and children. For younger children and adolescents, separation anxiety is somewhat common due to the new environment and social interactions school and other children introduce.it is also not uncommon to see separation anxiety in children who have been exposed to a lot of loss or trauma in their life. Some children have a hard time adapting to these changes and it results in intense anxiety, nightmares, and reluctance to leave home/loved ones for short or extended periods of time.
When it comes to teens, anxiety tends to manifest with similar symptoms to adults, however they also tend to have a harder time identifying, understanding and coping with these feelings, especially as they navigate the flurry of other emotions growing up can bring. It is important to talk with and teach teens about anxiety, so as to normalize the experience and give them the tools to articulate when it becomes hard to manage.
Addressing anxiety through counseling
Through counseling, an individual can work with their counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc. to help identify their symptoms, severity and causes to help determine what type of anxiety disorder, if any, is present and how to properly treat it. Some Counselors may do this through talk therapy and medical history alone, while others may conduct research based assessments to help determine a diagnosis. After determining the proper diagnosis, the therapist will likely help their client develop new and effective coping skills, assist them in understanding and becoming comfortable with their anxiety, and discover environmental or historical factors that may have gone undetected as contributing factors to the client’s increased anxiety. Several therapeutic approaches, such as person centered therapy, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness techniques, and many more have been shown to improve one's ability to cope with and conquer their anxiety disorder. Lastly, in some cases a doctor may recommend certain anxiety or panic medications to help in coping with these symptoms. With modern therapeutic treatments and research, anxiety is something that has become well understood and manageable with the right resources.
Anxiety treatment
It's no secret that dealing with anxiety can be tough. For those who experience it, the world can sometimes seem overwhelming and daunting. However, you don't have to navigate these feelings alone. There are many resources out there that can help provide support and guidance. Counseling sessions can be incredibly beneficial, providing a safe space for individuals to process their emotions and develop effective coping strategies. Support groups can also be a great option, giving people a community where they can connect with others who have had similar experiences. By utilizing these helpful resources, you'll be better equipped to manage your anxiety and build resilience, giving you the tools you need to face life's challenges with confidence and strength. So if you're struggling, don't hesitate to seek out the support you need to thrive and live your best life.
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