Anxiety: more common than you think
Anxiety is something all of us feel. It is the mind’s alarm system, and it pushes us to fight, flee, freeze or seek safety in others.
Many people don’t realise that they live with anxiety. It is among the most common psychological difficulties, almost as common as a cold. If your tendency is to avoid or escape situations, anxiety may be part of the reason.
Everyday anxiety, and anxiety that gets in the way
Some anxiety is natural and tied to a situation: being chased by a stray dog, a child who is late home from school, a job interview. When anxiety shows up in ordinary daily life, such as travelling, social gatherings or even staying at home, it may be an anxiety-related difficulty that deserves attention.
Common signs include a racing heart, overthinking, cold palms, a dry mouth, frequent urination and breathlessness. Anxiety can also make it hard to finish tasks.
Anxiety takes different forms, including:
- Natural, situational anxiety
- Pathological anxiety
- Panic
- Social anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Performance anxiety
Why we feel anxious
Anxiety has many causes, among them genetics, environment, particular situations, and an upbringing that was either over-protective or careless. At its core, we feel anxious when we don’t know how to deal with a situation: the mind races with fear and worry, and clear thinking becomes difficult.
What helps
- Counselling. Talking about what worries you is the most useful and time-tested way to reduce anxiety, and a counsellor or psychologist can help a great deal.
- Psychotherapies. There are many, such as CBT, graphotherapy, and Adlerian, existential and psychoanalytic therapy.
- Anxiety worksheets. Structured exercises used in cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Mindful walking. Walking slowly with full attention to each movement brings you closer to your body and surroundings, improves focus and can ease anxiety.
- The rubber band technique. Some people wear a rubber band on the wrist and give it a light snap when anxiety rises, as a cue to interrupt the anxious thought.
This article was first published on Practo Health Feed. Read the original on Practo