Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and it is characterized by excessive worry and fear that can't be controlled. While anxiety can be positive in certain situations, it can become a problem when it starts to interfere with daily life. In this article, we will discuss anxiety in detail- what it is, its causes, types of anxiety disorders, and treatments for anxiety.
What is anxiety?
According to MedlinePlus, a service of the US National Library of Medicine, anxiety is defined as "a feeling of fear, uneasiness, and worry, usually generalized and unfocused as an overreaction to a situation that is only perceived as threatening."
My definition of anxiety would be, "a combination of; a person's inability to control their thoughts and emotions of fear, with a brain that is operating to be on high alert at all times."
Anxiety is more than just feeling 'nervous' or 'worried'. It's a serious condition that can have a big impact on your day-to-day life. If you're experiencing anxiety, you may feel excessively worried about everyday situations, have trouble sleeping or concentrating, feel tense and jumpy, or experience physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat or sweating. When someone is experiencing anxiety, their thoughts are often focused on worst-case scenarios that may or may not be realistic. For example, someone might feel anxious about a job interview and worry that they will make a mistake and embarrass themselves.
While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, they all share one common symptom: persistent overwhelming anxiety that affects a person's ability to function in day-to-day life.
Anxiety is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences at some point in life. It is the body's way of preparing to protect itself from harm. Anxiety can be caused by various things, including environmental threats, past and present personal experiences, and even imaginary dangers. When we are anxious, our heart rate increases, our muscles tense up, and that is why we start to sweat.
While anxiety can be a positive thing when experienced in small doses and in the right situations, it can become a problem when it is constant and starts to interfere with our daily lives. When this happens, your body starts to experience what is known as "fight-or-flight" mode, which is when the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated. Unfortunately, when the anxiety is so intense or continually happens over a long period, the person’s autonomic nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode causing the brain to produce chemicals that only promote more anxiety on autopilot.
In 2018, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States had the highest number of cases of anxiety among adults and women worldwide. Followed by Chia, Brazil, India, Germany, and the United Kingdom. During Covid-19, the number of people experiencing depression and anxiety disorders increased by almost 30 percent.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
This is the most common type of anxiety disorder and is characterized by excessive, long-lasting worry and tension that is not focused on any one particular thing. People with generalized anxiety disorder often have a hard time controlling their worries and may feel like they are in a constant state of stress. Generalized anxiety disorder can manifest in different ways, but some common mental and physical symptoms include feeling restless or on edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and muscle tension.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder is characterized by recurring and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort that comes on suddenly and peaks within minutes. During a panic attack, people may experience shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, and trembling. Panic attacks can be triggered by various things, including specific objects or situations (such as heights), and often happen without warning. People with panic disorder often live in fear of having another attack and may avoid places or situations where they think an attack could occur.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Also known as social phobia, this is an intense fear of being judged by others or embarrassed in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder often avoid social situations for fear of being humiliated or rejected. They may also have a hard time making and keeping friends because of their social anxiety. Some common symptoms of social anxiety disorder include feeling anxious or self-conscious in social situations, feeling like others are watching and judging you, and avoiding social situations altogether.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels they must do to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessions). People with OCD often have very strict routines and rituals that they feel they must follow in order to avoid disaster or harm. For example, a person with OCD may feel the need to wash their hands over and over again to avoid getting sick, or they may check the locks on their doors multiple times before leaving the house to make sure that they are safe.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This type of anxiety disorder can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist attack, war, or sexual assault. People with PTSD often relive the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares. They may also have trouble sleeping and feel detached or numb. Other symptoms of PTSD include irritability, anger, poor concentration, and hypervigilance.
Phobias
A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object, place, or situation, such as heights, snakes, flying, closed spaces, or public speaking. People with phobias often go to great lengths to avoid the thing they are afraid of. For example, someone with a fear of flying may avoid airplanes altogether, even if it means not being able to travel. Phobias can be very debilitating and often have a negative impact on a person's quality of life.
Acute Stress Disorder
This type of anxiety disorder can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. Acute stress disorder is similar to PTSD, but the symptoms are not as long-lasting or severe. Symptoms of acute stress disorder include reliving the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares, avoidance of places or objects that remind you of the trauma, feeling detached or numb, and difficulty sleeping. Acute stress disorder can last for up to one month after the traumatic event.
High Functioning Anxiety
High functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder that affects people who are successful in their work or studies but still experience anxiety symptoms. People with high functioning anxiety often feel like they have to be perfect and may have difficulty relaxing. They may also worry a lot about things that could go wrong, even if there is no reason to believe that anything will. Symptoms of high functioning anxiety include feeling restless or on edge, anxious thoughts, feeling like you can't slow down or relax, fatigued and insomnia, bad eating habits, and substance abuse.
Chronic Stress Disorder
Chronic stress disorder is a type of anxiety that is caused by long-term exposure to stress. Chronic stress can be the result of a variety of things, such as taking care of a sick family member, experiencing financial difficulties, or working in a high-pressure job. People with chronic stress often feel like they are in a constant state of stress and may have difficulty relaxing or sleeping. Some of the long-term effects of chronic stress include constant anxiety, depression, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, weight gain or weight loss, sleep disorders, low tolerance, memory, and poor concentration.
Separation anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety that occurs when a person is separated from someone they are attached to, such as a parent or caregiver. People with separation anxiety disorder may experience symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, fear of abandonment, and clinginess. Separation anxiety disorder can occur at any age, but it is most common in young children.
What causes anxiety disorders?
While the exact causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood, several elements may contribute to its development such as genetic and environmental factors, stressful life events, lack of sleep, a brain injury, excessive consumption of alcohol, bad eating habits, and personality traits. People who have a family history of a parent or sibling with anxiety disorders are more likely to develop anxiety themselves, indicating that there may be a genetic component. Additionally, early life experiences such as stress or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
Is anxiety a mental or emotional disorder?
It is both, mental and emotional. Anxiety is a mental disorder because it alters the way we think, feel, and behave. It is an emotional disorder because it causes intense feelings of fear, worry, and stress. It is important to understand that mind, brain, and body are interconnected, so when one is affected, the others are as well.
How do you know if you have an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorders develop over time. First, take note of how long you have been feeling anxious. If your anxiety is short-lived and related to a specific event, such as a job interview, it is probably not cause for concern.
Second, look for the intensity of your anxiety. Mild anxiety may cause some discomfort, but you should still be able to go about your day-to-day life. Severe anxiety or panic attacks, on the other hand, can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep, or even leave the house. If you find yourself avoiding activities or places that make you feel anxious, it may be time to seek help.
Lastly, pay attention to how your anxiety is impacting your health. Anxiety disorders can lead to physical symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, digestive issues, trembling, sweating, and a racing heart. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, it may be time to talk to a health professional about your anxiety.
What are the treatments for anxiety disorders?
Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing anxiety disorders, we know for sure that anxiety is a problem that originates in the mind and brain. Anxiety symptoms can be treated with natural and effective solutions that may be beneficial to the majority of people. You just need to make a decision to get better and start doing things that align with this goal. With enough time and the proper guidance, you will begin to notice permanent improvements.
The purpose of treatment is to help you achieve optimal health and balance between your mind, brain, and body. Health is a state of complete physical and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of a physical or mental illness.
4 Pillars to Treating Anxiety Disorders
1. Knowledge Is Power
But knowledge about yourself and your body is self-empowerment. It is critical to understand how your body, brain, and mind work together.
The first step toward overcoming any anxiety disorder is to learn more about how your brain and body react to excessive anxiety and what you can do to help them return to a state of balance. The moment a person is experiencing severe anxiety, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) triggers the fight-or-flight response. Unfortunately, when the anxiety is so intense or continually happens over a long period, the person’s autonomic nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode causing the central nervous system and the brain to overload to the point of causing the neurons to stop working or even die. This is why most people end up developing mental illnesses or anxiety disorders.
The second step is to learn about mental health. Mental health is essential to our overall wellbeing. It is a state of mind in which one feels positive and able to cope with the challenges of life. Mental health includes our ability to feel, think and react. It also influences how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. A person with good mental health has a sense of purpose, feels loved and valued, has self-esteem and confidence, and can form supportive relationships.
2. Intentionally affect the physiology of your body
There are several things you can do to bring your body and brain into balance that are scientifically proven to work, including:
- Breathing exercises: Proper deep breathing helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the “rest and digest” response. This can help to lower heart rate and blood pressure and promote relaxation.
- Raise your Gaba levels: Gaba is a neurotransmitter that helps to inhibit the fight-or-flight response. Gaba Calming Support supplement will help you turn off the anxious thoughts.
- Brainwave entrainment and Meditation: When you meditate, you help to slow down the brainwaves and bring them into a state of alpha waves. Alpha waves are associated with relaxation and healing. This process is accelerated by using brainwave entrainment, which is a method of using sound waves to slow down neural activity.
- Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones that have pain-relieving and mood-boosting effects. In addition, exercise helps to increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are all neurotransmitters that have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety.
- Visualization: Positive emotions and visualizing yourself in a safe place can help to lower anxiety levels and further promote relaxation. This is a powerful tool because your brain doesn't know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. Dr. Daniel Amen's research with SPECT scan proves this with real brain images. Dr. Amen discovered that when an individual does meditation the blood flow to the brain increases. But what's more interesting, is that negative or positive thoughts can also affect the blood flow to the brain and your emotional state.
- Increase blood flow, and oxygen intake: Every morning, drink 24 oz of water and walk 20 minutes like you are late for work to increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain. When you keep practicing this for two weeks, you'll be more optimistic and have a better day.
- Brain health supporting supplements: These include omega-three fatty acids, magnesium, probiotics, and vitamins B6, B12, and D. These nutrients are essential for the proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system.
3. Kill the ANTs - Automatic Negative Thoughts
Kill the ANTs is a very effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Our brains get infested by daily negative thoughts that rob our joy and steal our happiness. Every time you have a thought, your brain releases chemicals to make your body feel the way you think and vice versa. For this reason, it is very important to be aware of what you are thinking.
Thoughts are real and they have a direct impact on how you feel and how you behave. They are very powerful and can make your mind and body feel good or they can make you feel bad. Every cell in your body is affected by every thought you have. That is why when people get emotionally upset they often develop physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you can train your thoughts to be positive and hopeful. Once you learn about and are aware of your thoughts and emotions, you can choose to think good thoughts and feel good.
There are many other things you can do to help your body and brain overcome anxiety symptoms. However, these techniques are some of the most effective, natural, and evidence-based methods that promote healing.
The above information is very important to understand and internalize because it allows you to take control of your body and mind so your outside and inside are in harmony.
4. Team up with a Brain Health Professional Coach
It is important to seek professional help if you are struggling to cope on your own. A mental health professional coach can provide support and guidance as you work to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
Your coach can help you to understand your thoughts and emotions, work through difficult memories, and develop healthy coping strategies. In addition, your coach can provide support and accountability as you work to make lifestyle changes.
Our Amen Clinics Brain Health Certified professionals can help you with that. We look at high anxiety disorders from a holistic perspective, taking into account your diet, exercise, nutritional deficiencies, panic symptoms, stress levels, and negative habits. We can create a personalized and natural plan to help you overcome severe anxiety. When you follow our proven and time-tested methodology the changes become permanent. You can finally be free and move on with your life feeling energetic, productive, and confident knowing that anxiety is no longer holding you back.
The first step is always the hardest, but it is also the most important. Taking action is a sign of strength and courage. It shows that you are committed to taking control of your life and your future. So, take the first step today and book your free consultation.
To learn more about our approach to brain health and treating anxiety disorders, please contact us today. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how we can help you heal and thrive. Schedule a call now!
I trust you found this information helpful. We are God's highest form of creation, we are spiritual beings living in a physical body. With the right mindset, tools, and proper support, you can TRULY unlock your full potential.
If you have any questions or would like to share your own experience, please leave a comment below. Take care!
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Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GAD mean?
GAD is the acronym for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice to treat mental health disorders or cure anxiety disorders. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak with a doctor or other healthcare professional. Anxiety disorders and mental disorders can be serious, so it is important to seek medical help if you think you may be experiencing acute anxiety disorder symptoms. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any mental health treatment.
