Introduction to Anxiety - the Importance of Getting to Know the Inner Enemy

Anxiety is that type of psychological problems which has symptoms affecting the physical body, and behavior. In short, it affects our whole personality.

Anxiety – what it actually is?

Apprehension, fright, terror, panic are some other names for anxiety. Anyone can face such situations in their lives that result in these feelings. Nevertheless, constantly suffering from this malady is surely not a healthy thing. In America, about 20 million people are diagnosed to be suffering from the psychological problem of anxiety; due to which not only a person’s own self and physical health is affected, it also affects his job, relationships with friends, family and colleagues, and makes him unable to cope with the situation.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD is a symptom complex in which patients present with increased anxiety response to daily life happenings. These patients always concentrate on the darker aspect of life so they are always worried about home, workplace, finances and personal wellbeing.

Clinical Features of GAD

The physical and mental aspects of human body are interrelated so these people exhibit both mental and physical symptoms. Some of the psychological symptoms are:

• These people appear under stress most of the time.

• Insomnia or lack of sleep.

• They find it difficult to concentrate.

• They have a low threshold for anger and annoyance.

• They find it difficult to control their actions.

• They find themselves living in unfamiliar surroundings.

Another serious type of anxiety is chronic anxiety, which is often defined compared to panic attacks as less serious but more generalized. There are many people that feel a vague sense of anxiety which never reaches the intensity level of a panic attack. Such people are constantly feeling uncomfortable among other people; they are tense and cannot relax even if when everything is all right. In addition, they find it difficult to focus on simple tasks, they are jumpy and cannot sleep. All those symptoms can easily lead to a powerful anxiety level and many functioning disorders. Recent medical studies estimate that about 7% from the worldwide population currently suffers or had once been affected by anxiety (diagnosed by a doctor), but it is considered that the number of persons suffering in silence due to anxiety is much higher. Anxiety – A Hindrance in Your Achievements and Relationships?

Becoming apprehensive and anxious is a normal phenomenon unless it reoccurs to the extent of becoming a nuisance in your life that prevents a person from leading a normal life even if there is no possible threat or danger.

A short-term solution can be to avoid such situations, which leave you apprehensive and anxious. However, anxiety in itself is like a long-term disorder, which keeps on returning to you at different times, and in different situations. The habit of avoiding might lead a person to stay away from crowded places, shopping malls and all such places where there is a chance of being in a gathering or group exists even slightly. Avoidance is not a permanent solution to the anxiety syndrome. It has momentary affects and makes things difficult for you to face in future. Thus makes you keep avoiding different situations.

Today, anxiety is not so big a malady, which is untreatable. Experts estimate that around 90% of the people suffering from this syndrome can be treated through psychiatric help, medicines and behavioral therapy.

There are also certain relaxation techniques that work best for those facing this disorder. Meditation and relaxation of the body do wonders for patients of anxiety. The relaxation tapes can be found at any health food shop.

Your physical health is very important for your own well-being. Patients facing anxiety must take good care of their physical health. Having a proper and healthy food at mealtimes, and exercising regularly is also helpful as well as staying away from alcoholic drinks and all types of junk food. Revising your irregular sleeping patterns is also beneficial in getting back to a normal life routine.

Apart from relaxation tips, deep breathing is also a good exercise. Deep abdominal breathing exercises can be done at any time of the day, and the practice relaxes your stressed nerves and tensioned mind. For conducting this exercise, take a deep and slow breath through your nose, to make the air reach directly to your abdomen. Visualize the traveling of air towards your bottom and say the word “calm” slowly as you breathe in. Similarly, as you breathe out, visualize that stress and tension are getting out of your body with the breathing and say the word “relax”. Work this exercise in sets of three at a time, and you will feel relaxed and changed. Remember that overdoing this exercise might make you feel dizzy. If you want to repeat it again, have a short break and breathe smoothly, and then start it again.

Try to replace the negativity in your thoughts with the positive thinking. E.g., instead of saying, “I cannot do such a hard work”, change the sentence positively, like, “though it is hard but I would be able to achieve the target.” Programming your mind in a positive way is quite a healthy approach, and would lessen the anxiety within your mind and thoughts.

Fatiguing, arduous and unbearable are the impacts of anxiety on a person, but do not let yourself face it for long. Taking a help of a Counselor or Psychiatrist would prove to be much fruitful, as they tend to suggest you some techniques and tips to deal with the tensions and apprehensions in your life, and you would learn the art of managing the stress for your own betterment and health.

Anyone can make use of such anxiety relieving techniques, but never forget that the most efficient method for a stress-free life is always handy: the well-being of our own body and psychic is the most important element in such therapies. Take your time and enjoy life day by day, and don’t get affected by the past or the future problems. This is the easiest way to chase away the shadows of anxiety.