Introduction
There is no formal definition for anxiety disorders in the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Anxiety is a normal stress response and a fundamental part of everyday life. The development of anxiety disorders is thought to be due to environmental and genetic factors. Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million people in the United States, with women twice as likely to be affected as men (ADAA, 2022). Anxiety is a psychological condition that stems from worry, fear, and an impending sense of danger.
The feeling of anxiety is accompanied by a collection of physical symptoms, including pounding heartbeats, rapid breathing, and dizziness. Anxious people exhibit a heightened sense of physical awareness and can have difficulty sleeping due to the associated physical sensations. Anxiety is a common state of being and is recognized as a part of the human condition. Anxiety becomes problematic when it hinders daily functioning. These disorders develop when anxious feelings and physical symptoms become uncontrollable.
The Myths Associated With anxiety
Three myths are associated with anxiety, and the first myth is that anxiety is a weakness. Anxiety is not a weakness but a survival mechanism that all creatures on earth have. Anxiety is how the brain reminds a person to pay attention to that critical task in a person’s life. The second myth is that people with anxiety should stop worrying. In some sense, it is true, but the individual cannot stop this process. Anxiety can happen from one stressful event, or it can be a lingering problem that a person experiences for a long time. The third myth is that anxiety is not real phenomenon. A counter objection is that anxiety is a common problem affecting many people globally. Anxiety can be so intense that it feels like it is happening in an individual’s body and mind.
Causes of Anxiety
The brain is the body’s control center as it is a complicated organ controlling everything in the body. And anxiety is an emotion or feeling with a lot of different causes. Most people confuse fear and anxiety because they are co-related. For example, fear emerges from the surrounding stimuli (the dog attacking an individual). Anxiety arises from an emotional connection with some bad thought patterns, simply the mindset of someone. Some causes of anxiety are bad thoughts or fears. These can cause a person to worry about the future or the past. The brain is an organ that processes information and helps an individual solve problems. When the brain is not working well, it can cause much pain and frustration.
Techniques for Managing Anxiety
It is a normal part of life to feel anxious from time to time. Many feel anxious because of their job, relationships, financial security, or health. Anxiety can help an individual be prepared for a demanding situation. It can also help motivate people to make decisions or get things done. In most cases, anxiety does not last long and goes away automatically. A simple lifestyle with proper stress management techniques is the antidote for managing anxiety.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Some anxiety disorders can be treated with medicine and therapy, while others can be treated with therapy only. It all depends on the type of anxiety disorder affecting an individual. Treatment for anxiety usually includes psychotherapy or talk therapy. This can be done on a one-to-one basis or in a group situation. Some people benefit from medication, but it is not always necessary.
Sometimes, treatment can last a few months, but sometimes years are needed. CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to work for many mental health conditions. This talk therapy is about changing the thought patterns and behaviors to manage the symptoms. A patient is often recommended to try psychotherapy as a first treatment because there are many anxiety disorders, and not all medication is the same. For anxiety disorders such as anxiety and panic attacks, start with a daily dose of 300 mg of L-theanine for six weeks (must be taken with GABA.) L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in green tea that is excellent for anxiety reduction. After six weeks, the patient can switch to 50mg twice daily (150mg) for maintenance. It will take time for the brain to reset its GABA levels and for the whole body to relax.
Conclusion
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, and unease that is always present even though there is nothing making someone to be afraid. It is often accompanied by restlessness, tension, and sleep disturbance. It arises from predictable and unpredictable sources and can be associated with several mental disorders. Stress can cause anxiety and is a major symptom of this complication, which emerges from bad thoughts or fear.
Often anxiety arises when one is faced with a difficult circumstance, and the anxiety creates a challenge to overcome. Once the period of difficulty is over, the anxiety subsides. Anxiety has been discovered as a common problem among most people. The antidote for this problem is living a simple lifestyle with a high level of self-discipline to manage stress in the body: psychotherapy and medicine and the main options for treating anxiety. The treatment period varies between the two techniques, and the arrangement with the therapist is the determinant factor in the longevity of the treatment plan.
Reference
Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2022). Anxiety Disorders and Depression Research & Treatment: Anxiety disorder-facts & statistics.