Anxiety
Anxiety is designed to help protect the body from harm. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it produces feelings of fear and uneasiness that sharpen the senses and alert the brain to risks, helping an individual solve problems. However, many people experience anxiety when they are not in danger or feel intense worry that is disproportionate to their actual situation. This can take a toll on physical health, creating issues such as a rapid heartbeat, muscle aches, sweating, shaking, fatigue, nausea, and stomach problems. It can also cause feelings of dread, irritability, and restlessness. Additionally, excessive anxiety can lead to avoidance, which limits an individual’s social interactions and opportunities and can put a strain on relationships. These symptoms hinder an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks at work, school, or in relationships, and can decrease one’s overall quality of life. Many individuals experience high-functioning anxiety where they are able to handle their responsibilities and appear successful and composed, despite intense internal stress. However, even those who hide their anxiety well will have long term consequences if it is not addressed.
If you experience significant anxiety that is affecting your well-being, it may be helpful to seek the help of a therapist. Therapy can provide a safe space to discuss your anxiety and the underlying factors that are causing it. Often, an individual’s thoughts and beliefs have a major influence on the way they react to situations. Negative thought patterns can cause a person to identify neutral experiences as threatening and spiral into worry without even realizing it. A therapist can give you the tools to reframe your thoughts in a more positive light as well as offer tools such as relaxation and mindfulness techniques to quell anxiety when it arises. This allows individuals to foster resilience to life’s challenges and live a more restful and fulfilling life.