Anxiety is a very broad term used to describe symptoms of mild worry all the way to pure panic. It is the number one reason for referral at Nourished Soul Therapy. It is a term that gets thrown a lot around with or without a diagnosis. Today we will discuss what anxiety is, and what can be done about it.
What is Anxiety
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. Anxiety often focuses on the future because it is frequently related to something bad that could happen. Anxiety is experienced on a continuum from slight worry to significant dread or panic. Not all anxiety is problematic. It is important to note that anxiety is a natural human response that has existed as a way to keep us safe from harm and danger.
How does Anxiety Work?
When faced with a real or perceived threat, the brain sends a signal to the body to react in order to stay alive. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are sent through the body to prepare it to respond to the threat. Responses could be fight, flight, freeze or fawn. Think back to the time of hunters and gatherers. If a bear approached a cave, a human had only a few choices to live. They could FIGHT the bear, RUN (flight) from the bear or play dead (FREEZE) in hopes that the bear would move on. These days the threats are often more psychological or social in nature. An upcoming medical test, a big presentation at work or school, a critically received text message or social media post are just a few examples.
Types of Anxiety
Anxiety is an umbrella term and is not something to be pathologized. When anxiety becomes so severe that it impedes on someone’s life it can become a diagnosable illness. Below are a few of the formal types of Anxiety that are diagnosable by a physician through testing and/or assessment.
- General Anxiety Disorder: Persistent and consistent worry and/or dread about various aspects of one’s life. The worry is often disproportionate to the issue and very difficult for the person to control.
- Phobias: An intense and often irrational fear to an object or situation such as spiders, heights or crowded places.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety related to the obsessions.
- Panic Disorder: Includes intense, quick onset periods of intense fear that are often paired with somatic symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, shaking, sweating, feeling of impending doom etc.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: This disorder is related to the intense fear of being judged negatively by others and fear of social situations.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after being exposed to a traumatic event. Symptoms include intrusive memories, flashbacks, severe anxiety, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
How to Treat Anxiety
- Therapy: Working with a qualified therapist to address anxious patterns that have been developed as well as to develop tools to cope with anxiety. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Accelerated Resolution Therapy can be helpful in different ways to address symptoms and develop positive coping strategies.
- Exercise: Physical Exercise is one way to reduce the amount of cortisol and adrenaline in the body while also producing endorphins, the feel good hormone. It can help reduce stress and anxiety in the body.
- Lifestyle changes: A good sleep routine, healthy foods, movement all contribute to overall mental wellness and noticeably reduce anxiety.
- Medication: Through consultation and advice of a medical professional medications used to treat anxiety are available
If anxiety is interfering with living a life you love it may be appropriate to consider working with a therapist and speaking with your primary care physician or nurse practitioner.