What Exactly Is Anxiety, Anyway?

You know when your heart is beating (what feels like) a million miles a minute, and you’re sweating, shaking, and even a little queasy? You may have even heard the phrase “butterflies in your stomach.” This is anxiety—or at least the physical sensations of anxiety. But what exactly is it?

Anxiety is a natural human response to stress, danger, or fear. It’s the body’s way of preparing for action, often referred to as the “fight-or-flight” response. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives, however there are situations when this universal human emotion turns into something more serious.

Understanding Anxiety: The Basics

Anxiety is so much more than just worrying or stressing about life. It’s a complex emotion that can affect the mind and body. Understanding anxiety can help you recognize when it’s getting too overwhelming.

Normal vs. Disordered Anxiety

Normal anxiety is temporary and is usually connected to a specific situation, like an upcoming exam or job interview.
Disordered anxiety is persistent, excessive, and disproportionate to the situation, often lasting continuously for six months or more.

Common Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by chronic worry about various aspects of life.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being judged or scrutinized in any type of social setting.
Panic Disorder: Involves sudden and intense panic attacks, causing a brutal cycle of increasing worry over the next panic attack.
Phobias: Extreme fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts, or obsessions, that trigger compulsive behaviors to counteract the thoughts, also creating a vicious cycle of repetitive behaviors.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Anxiety and panic attacks that have been triggered by experiencing a traumatic event.

How Anxiety Affects Your Life

Anxiety doesn’t just impact mental health; it can also affect physical well-being and everyday responsibilities.

Physical Symptoms:

Increase in heart rate or blood pressure
Sweating and trembling
Muscle tension
Digestive issues
Fatigue and insomnia

Mental and Emotional Symptoms:

Persistent worry or fear
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Intense feelings of dread

Impact on Daily Life:

Avoidance of certain people, places, or situations
Difficulty maintaining relationships with others
Decline in work or school performance

Why Do We Experience Anxiety?

Several factors may contribute to anxiety, ranging from genetics to environmental influences.

Biological Factors: The brain has certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that send messages back and forth to us. Serotonin and dopamine are important neurotransmitters, and when these are disrupted, it can cause feelings of anxiety.
Psychological Factors: Past or childhood experiences, specific personality traits, negative thought patterns, and having a family history of mental health disorders all play a role in the development of anxiety in a person.
Environmental Factors: Past traumatic experiences, like abuse, accidents, or witnessing violence, can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Coping with Anxiety

Managing anxiety involves a combination of strategies, often tailored to your individual needs.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Focus on maintaining a balanced diet, engage in regular exercise, and ensure adequate sleep, to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.
Be Mindful: Take time throughout your day to breathe, relax, and meditate. Anxiety can cause spiraling thoughts that are sometimes not based in reality. Check in with yourself and schedule 15-20 minutes to do a pleasurable mindfulness activity.
Support Networks: Consider sharing your struggles with family or friends. Leaning on supportive people can make all the difference when it comes to combating the struggles of anxiety.

Seek Support Today

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, consider reaching out to us for professional help. Anxiety therapy can provide effective tools to use to manage anxiety, reduce its symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Your mental health matters—call us to schedule your first session!