Anxiety is something that many people deal with. While it can motivate us to respond to the matter and prepare, sometimes it gets unmanageable when anxiety extends and deepens.
Sometimes anxiety interferes with our ability to live life instead of helping. When you’re being negatively affected by anxiety, you may benefit from learning more about it so you can properly address your anxiety and lower it to a manageable level.
Here are three things you may want to know if you or someone you know is currently dealing with anxiety.
Medication may not be the answer.
Anti-anxiety medication may prove helpful, or it may only be a short-term aid. Medication is not a cure-all, even if prescriptions are being written out like candy and being pushed out. Do not rely on it as a sole cure all of what you are experiencing.
Such medications are an aid in the short term that should be ended after 2 months maximum. However, many rely on them in the long term. This is ineffective and may cause changes in the brain leading to dependence and tolerance, meaning withdrawal symptoms appear when decreasing dosage or stopping after a time of extended use.
If you go on medication, monitor progress, use as directed, and do not use in the long term. You may also wish to look into natural ways to deal with it or behavioral treatment to help reduce anxiety and create positive results. This can include breathing exercises, meditation, relaxation, reducing stresses, confronting problems, psychotherapy, a healthier diet, exercising, yoga, neurofeedback, and more.
Anxiety and physical symptoms can be mixed up.
Some ailments can fuel anxiety– or be mistaken it for it. For instance, individuals that are anemic can experience a fast heart rate and dizziness, which can seem like anxiety.
A thyroid gland that is too active or not active enough can produce anxiety symptoms or even bring on panic attacks due to its interaction with the norepinephrine systems in the body. Cardiac arrhythmia can be experienced as feeling similar to high levels of anxiety. Glucose disruption from diabetes or pre-diabetic syndromes can cause symptoms related to anxiety.
Many physical issues may seem like they are anxiety but are not. Likewise, anxiety may be causing physical symptoms. A physical may be able to rule out what’s actually going on with you so you know if what you’re experiencing is anxiety or physical.
Healing is easier when you understand causes or origins of anxiety.
If you have ruled medical/physical causes out, you may have anxiety. Getting to understand why you’re feeling anxiety may help you address it. Is it a circumstantial result of a loss, a stressful period in your life, past trauma or abuse, poor relationships and support, a car accident or other traumatic event? Is it related to depression, fears about life, or do you feel that you really don’t know what the general cause of it is?
Figuring this out will help you and/or a treatment provider determine what treatment and path may be the most helpful for you. Many adults in the United States are dealing with anxiety disorders, up to 18% or more at any given year (N.I.M.H.).
While it is common, it is treatable. Seek treatment, do research, and find out more to have all the tools and resources you need to make positive progress when it comes to your anxiety.
