What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a common human experience characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, apprehension, and fear. It is the body's natural response to stress or perceived threats. At normal levels, anxiety can be beneficial and help us avoid danger, meet deadlines, or motivate positive change. However, for many people, anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and distressing - meeting criteria for an anxiety disorder.
Some key things to know about anxiety:
- It affects both the body and mind. When anxious, people may experience physical symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, dizziness, stomach upset, headaches, and fatigue. They may also have racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, irritability, trouble sleeping, etc.
- While a little anxiety can be helpful, chronic high anxiety interferes with daily life activities, relationships, work or school performance, and a person's overall wellbeing. It may make even routine tasks feel overwhelming.
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., impacting over 40 million adults. Types of disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, and more. These often require professional treatment through counseling, medication, lifestyle changes, etc.
- Biological factors, childhood experiences, trauma, high stress, and genetics can influence someone's risk for chronic anxiety. Certain medications, drugs, and medical conditions are also linked to elevated anxiety symptoms.
If you struggle with excessive anxiety and worry, know that you're not alone. Reach out to a mental health professional, try self-care strategies like meditation and exercise, or visit Hormone Harmony Clinic to explore potential hormonal imbalances worsening anxiety. With compassionate support and evidence-based care, many people find relief.
I hope this overview on anxiety and anxiety disorders gives you a helpful starting point for understanding this common challenge. Let me know if you have any other questions!