Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety is a feeling of uncomfortable, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life, but some people feel anxiety more frequently or severely than others. Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses and encompass a range of disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders.
Anxiety disorders can cause a number of physical and psychological symptoms, such as:
- Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or your mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
- The feeling of losing control or going crazy
- Heart palpitations or chest pain
- Stomach upset or nausea
Anxiety disorders are treated by a combination of psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. With the correct treatment and support, most people with anxiety disorders can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
There are many ways to cope with anxiety and fear, some include:
- Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
- Getting regular exercise, which can help reduce tension and improve overall physical and mental well-being.
- Talking to a therapist or counselor about your feelings. A professional can help you work through your emotions and develop coping strategies.
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, as they can all make anxiety symptoms worse.
- Staying away from drugs that have been prescribed for others.
- Keeping a journal to help you identify triggers and patterns in your anxiety.
- Setting aside time each day to focus on your emotional well-being, through activities such as reading, writing, or listening to music.
- Avoiding avoidance of things that makes you anxious, as it will make the anxiety worse in the long run. Gradually facing and coping with them can help you overcome your fears.
- Practicing mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment and accepting it without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and reduce the power they have over you.
- Learning cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, which can help you change the way you think about and respond to situations that trigger your anxiety.
- Setting realistic goals for yourself and working to achieve them. This can give you a sense of accomplishment and control, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and fear.
- Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through, whether it’s through a support group or one-on-one conversations.
- Taking care of yourself physically, by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
- Using imagery or visualization to imagine yourself successfully dealing with situations that make you anxious. This can help build confidence and prepare you for the real thing.
- Focusing on things you are grateful for, reflecting on positive moments of your day, and cultivating positive emotions can help ease anxiety symptoms.
Remember that managing anxiety and fear is an ongoing process, and it’s normal to have ups and downs. It’s also important to be patient with yourself, and not to get discouraged if progress is slow. Support from loved ones, friends, and professionals can be very helpful. With time, patience, and persistence you can overcome it.
It’s also important to note that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It may take some time to find the right strategies for you. It’s also important to see a physician or mental health professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions or disorders.