Anxiety is a normal reaction and can be a helpful feeling when it motivates us or warns us of danger. However, it becomes debilitating when there is no real danger to worry about , it is experienced continuously, and feels like it is taking over our lives.
Forms of Anxiety:
There are different types of anxiety, these include general anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD), and post traumatic stress (PTSD)
General Anxiety:
Do people tell you that you worry too much? If you experience persistent and excessive uncontrollable worry, this type of anxiety is typically referred to as general anxiety. Other symptoms associated with general anxiety include edginess or restlessness, tiring more easily than usual, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension.
What is a Phobia?
Phobias, are typically experienced as significant and intense fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation for example fear of elevators, fear of heights, fear of animals.
Do You Suffer From Panic Attacks?
Fear and anxiety manifests also during panic attacks. Panic disorder involves repeated and unexpected panic attacks. Panic is typically experienced as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger. Physical symptoms associated with panic include shortness of breath, a racing heart, tingling and numbness in the fingers, nausea, dizziness. Panic becomes debilitating when bodily sensations associated with a panic attack are feared and attempts at controlling or suppressing them are made.
Social Anxiety:
Fear and anxiety about being embarrassed or judged by others in social or performance situations is referred to as social anxiety and performance anxiety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder includes unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause anxiety (obsessions) or repeated actions meant to reduce the anxiety (compulsions). Obsessions or compulsions are a source of distress and may be time consuming.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening event such as natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, military combat, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. During a traumatic event, you believe that your life or others’ lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening around you. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks (you feel like you are reliving the event), avoidance of situations that remind you of the event, you may also feel fear, guilt, or shame, feel you are always on alert, hyper, on the look out for danger, you experience difficulty concentrating, have problems with sleep, have lost interest in activities you enjoyed.
