Reducing Anxiety

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or concern in response to an upcoming or current event. It is normal to be concerned about your environment and it does serve a purpose. Anxiety is related to our fear response and is recognition of our awareness of potential threats, or changes to our surroundings.  If you really think about it, feelings of anxiety and excitement are very similar. It is just a matter of our interpretation of events as to whether or not it is a positive or negative experience. Both make us focus our attention because something unusual is happening.

While mild forms of these concerns are perfectly fine, sometimes we find ourselves overwhelmed by these feeling. They become our constant companion and begin negatively affecting our life.

What Happens When We Are Anxious?

When we are stressed, fearful, or even excited we experience a physiological response. Our bodies prepare us for action by releasing adrenaline and cortisol into the body.  These hormones are designed to give us a “boost.”  It can give us energy by speeding up the heart rate and pumping blood to major muscle groups.  We can get a boost of strength.  They can push normal thought processes to the wayside so that we are capable of doing what it is that we have to do in that moment. Mentally this helps us to focus and be hyperventilate of our surroundings.

All of these changes occur to prepare us for the “flight or fight” response that is a part of our survival instincts. Although we rarely face wild threats anymore, this physical and psychological reaction is still useful.  For example, we may still feel nervous before a test or an interview. That is normal and can be a productive feeling so long as it does not overcome our better judgment.  Those concerns make us aware and alert of our environment and potential mistakes.  It can even briefly enhance our performance in those settings.

Fear Gone Wrong

The problem occurs when we become overwhelmed by these feelings.  When we become excessively worried about them they begin to interfere with our daily lives.  While these hormones provide a valuable service, they can harm the body when we over produce them.  When we live in this constant state of worry or even fear, it can begin to affect other aspects of our mental and physical well-being.

It is also very draining, even painful, to fight these feelings on a regular basis.  This can make you more susceptible to feelings of hopelessness which can lead to depression.  Both of which are things that are hard to fight or defend ourselves against. Worse yet, few even know where to start.

Types Of Anxiety

Determining what kind of anxiety you are facing, and its severity is just the first step in determining the best treatment options for you.

• Generalized Anxiety:  Those who suffer from generalized anxiety may seriously worry about money, family, health, or any other number of things.   It is a constant companion to the individual, who may feel there is no respite from their worries.
• Panic: Characterized by feelings of terror, which can strike the individual suddenly and without warning. Feelings of panic can be a terrifying experience.  Those who face this form of anxiety often feel constantly afraid. The fear can lead to a panic attack and that panic feeds into the fear as a part of a vicious cycle.
• Social Anxiety: This type is defined by discomfort and unease in social situations.  People who suffer from social anxiety may experience fear of being around and interacting with others.  They may also fear being judged negatively by others.