Mental health disorders affect millions of people every single day. It can impact our day-to-day lives, how we work, how we build relationships, and how we function.
One of the more common mental health disorders is anxiety. So, what exactly is anxiety? How does it affect us? And what are the indicators of anxiety? Let’s find out.
What Is Anxiety?
It is estimated that around 40 million adults or around 20% of adults in the US have an anxiety disorder. That is a staggering statistic. Seeing as so many of us suffer from anxiety in our day-to-day lives, it is vital that we know what this mental health disorder is, what the signs are, and how we can treat it.
Anxiety is categorized as a feeling of intense unease, fear, and worry. This anxiety can range from mild to severe anxiety and may manifest itself in many different ways depending on the person.
People who suffer from anxiety disorders often have excessive, persistent, and intense fears about everyday things or situations. For instance, some people may suffer from social anxiety, where they are unable to function properly in a social environment due to the stress and fear it brings them.
Others may have anxiety related to previous trauma and may struggle in certain situations, such as visiting certain places, talking to people who remind them of their attackers/abusers, or revisiting places they have been before. This can trigger the previous trauma and cause anxiety attacks.
6 Indicators of Anxiety That Show Up in Your Body
Common signs of anxiety are nervousness, restlessness, or fear. Others may suffer from difficulty concentrating or may have a feeling of impending doom and danger. While anxiety is a mental disorder, it can manifest itself in a physical sense and have an impact on your body, too.
- Hyperventilation
When you suffer from anxiety, you may begin physically hyperventilating or experiencing rapid breathing. This often happens during panic attacks, too.
- Sweating Profusely
Other indicators of anxiety or anxiety attacks are excessive sweating. Palms may begin to sweat, or you may be very hot and flustered.
- Trembling
Anxiety can also be indicated by trembling and physically shaking. This can further increase the feeling of uneasiness and nervousness.
- Increased Heart Rate
One of the most common signs of anxiety is an increased heart rate that is often accompanied by rapid breathing. This is due to the feeling of panic that you may be experiencing.
- Nausea and Vomiting
In some cases, people can be physically sick and nauseous when they are anxious. The mental disorder can become a physical issue as it makes you feel physically unwell.
- Dizziness and Headaches
Anxiety can also cloud your head and make you feel confused or dizzy. You may also suffer from headaches, often induced by stress and confusion. You can also have trouble focusing on things, and you may feel lost and dazed from time to time.
How to Cope with Anxiety
Anxiety is a real issue that can deeply impact your well-being. To help you manage your stress and anxiety, it is recommended that you practice self-care, get plenty of sleep, and eat a well-balanced diet, with a good amount of exercise.
This can help keep yourself mentally and physically in the best shape. You can also benefit from deep breathing exercises, and you can try counting to ten slowly when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
In some severe cases, you may also need medication to help you calm down and relax in certain situations. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety can also help bring your anxiety to a tolerable level.
Anxiety is really difficult to deal with. It’s important that you can spot the signs for yourself or for a loved one so that you can get the help that you need. If you ever feel overwhelmed by anxiety, reach out to us to learn more about anxiety and how it can impact your physical well-being.
