Have you ever noticed how your heart beats faster or your palms start to sweat when you’re feeling stressed, scared or uncertain?
This is anxiety at work.
Anxiety is a very important internal warning system that alerts us to potential dangers — scientists call it our “fight or flight” response. In small amounts, anxiety can actually help us be more productive or can even give us an adrenaline rush to overcome a dangerous situation.
When is Anxiety a Problem?
Everyone gets anxious from time to time and we all have our own ways of coping, but how can you tell if your worrying is typical or a more serious anxiety disorder? Typical anxiety is tied to a specific situation or problem and goes away after the event has passed. For example, you might feel uncertain about an upcoming presentation but the anxiety resolves when the presentation is over.
Anxiety becomes problematic when it comes up unexpectedly and prevents you from living your daily life. For example, you might experience fear that something bad or completely unrealistic might happen. Or you might have anxiety that lasts for a long time, even after a stressful situation has passed.
Different Types of Anxiety
There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and each come with their own unique sets of symptoms.If you feel like your anxiety is affecting your daily function, reach out to your family doctors for an assessment Here are the more common types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms:
Generalized anxiety disorder
This type of anxiety involves persistent worrying about a number of things. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as constant worry, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping or concentrating and restlessness.
Social anxiety
Social anxiety is a fear of social situations — particularly a fear of being embarrassed or singled out in a social setting. This type of anxiety usually comes with physical symptoms like blushing, sweating and elevated pulse.
Panic disorders
This type of anxiety disorder often comes with severe episodes of anxiety called panic attacks. These are triggered by fearful thoughts or situations and are accompanied by difficulty breathing, a pounding heart, dizziness or shakiness.
Treatment for Anxiety
The good news is that anxiety is manageable if you take the time and commit to reaching out for support. To get a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, contact your family doctor as your first step.
Once you are diagnosed, your healthcare provider will often recommend therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a popular choice for dealing with anxiety because it helps change your anxious thinking patterns. Your doctor may also prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This is a type of medication that increases the levels of serotonin (feel-good hormones) in the brain.
Medication
Antidepressants are very effective in treating and managing the symptoms of depression. Since they take 2-4 weeks to kick in, you will need to be patient. It can also take time to find the right medication(s) and doses for you. Your doctor will work with you to find a medication that best addresses your symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you learn to change negative thinking patterns associated with depression. CBT requires active participation through homework and a willingness to change habits.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Some people with depression might benefit from interpersonal therapy (IPT). This type of therapy helps relieve the symptoms of depression by improving a person’s interpersonal skills and relationships with others. It focuses on current relationships and helps address stresses and communication issues that may be contributing to depression.
Things You Can do Right Now to Reduce Anxiety
In addition to getting the help of a medical professional to help with anxiety, you can also do many things on your own to help feel more calm and reduce your anxiety. These include:
- Daily meditation and breathing exercises
- Keeping a healthy diet free from stimulants like caffeine, alcohol or other recreational drugs
- Maintaining a regular exercise schedule
- Connecting with friends and family
- Spending more time outdoors in nature and less time on your phone, or using technology
Chat today with our iHealthOX Care Team to find the best, personalized health and well-being plan for you.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/living-with/
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