Anxiety is a term thrown around liberally in popular conversation. And while the normalization of anxiety has its benefits like a reduction of shame, an increase in validation, and better awareness, it can also start to lose its core meaning. Anxiety is best defined as a mental and physical reaction to perceived threats. It helps to protect us from danger and focuses our attention on problems. But when anxiety is too severe or occurs too frequently it can become debilitating. When the feelings of anxiety start to overshadow the joys of life, we know things may have progressed beyond normal life stress.
Anxiety can begin in any stage of life from childhood to adulthood. And while there are certain determinants such as early life trauma, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, etc. that can all contribute to the likelihood of the development of an anxiety disorder, anyone may experience overwhelming anxiety at some point in their life.
Anxiety can also be sneaky. It tricks us into thinking that we are helping ourselves avoid pain, when in reality we are often only temporarily avoiding displeasure. Really we are just prolonging the inevitable. Anxiety grows in this cycle of avoidance, temporary relief, and then ramped up anxiety for the next event. Often this leads to someone continuing to avoid certain people, situations, and experiences; in this occurrence, anxiety starts dictating opportunities.
Anyone who has experienced an anxiety disorder or constant anxiety in their life can tell you that facing these situations can feel daunting. It can feel as if your life will never exist apart from anxiety and panic. And while there will always be times of stress in life, it is possible to be free of the daily intrusive thoughts and feelings of overwhelming emotions. Help can take the form of many different things. Seeking treatment from a mental health professional is a great first step. Someone who is trained to assess your current state and best advise you on the next steps to take is a good place to start. Treatment may include therapy sessions, group therapy, building coping skills, building critical self-reflective skills, past trauma explorations, practical life skills, and medication management. There is no shame in getting help, whatever form that helps come in.
