Heal Your Emotions

Anxiety is a mental health disorder that can affect  both children and adults at any stage of life. It depends on the way a person is brought up and the surrounding people. Negative people are often a bad source to develop anxiety. Traumatic events or any unexpected event is one of the possible causes. Some physical illness especially, the chronic illness has a tendency to develop anxiety and panic symptoms. Similarly, certain mental health disorders can also act as catalysts, either triggering or intensifying anxiety over time.

Knowing in brief that Anxiety arises from different causes, anxiety is broadly classified into below categories:

1] Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This is a very common disorder that affects daily mundane activities. Individuals with GAD tend to worry persistently and excessively about everyday situations, even when there’s little or no reason for concern. Tension isn’t specific to any particular task. Often, worrying happens without any good reason. They worry about their family members daily routine: children’s school, a partner’s job, the financial balance of the day, daily chores, and any upcoming occasion or festival. If one issue as per their perception is solved, they will have another incoming worrying thought in mind. Their mind is often consumed by worst-case scenarios, expecting disasters or unpleasant outcomes that may never occur. They have restless “What if?“ thoughts making them always stay on alert. This kind of worrisome lifestyle on daily basis can have effects on sleep. Slowly a restless mind with less sleep leads to numerous physical health problems.

2] Panic Disorder

A panic attack is triggered through mental stress or frequent anxiety alarms. This lasts from 20 minutes to hours. This attack occurs once in few days, months or years. These episodes are often triggered by overwhelming mental stress, a heightened state of anxiety, or even by unexpected, shocking events. The experience of a panic attack is often mistaken for a heart attack due to overlapping symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness. However, panic attacks are rooted in psychological distress rather than a physical cardiac issue. However, a recurring panic attack can affect routine life. A recurrent panic attack shall not necessarily show up all the symptoms. But the person will have a mild temperature and heart pounds while hearing any loud sounds, seeing violent visuals and overhearing quarrels, or experiencing anything related to phobia. Over time, the fear of having another attack may itself become a source of anxiety.

3] Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The word post -traumatic explicitly defines its meaning. An individual suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after facing an unexpected event in life. This could include the sudden loss of a loved one, a violent or cruel attack, a serious accident, or even the loss of something artificial yet emotionally significant such as a home, a job, or a valuable possession. Sometimes, it is not certain for the person to experience it. Interestingly, PTSD doesn’t only affect those directly involved in the traumatic event. Even witnessing a distressing incident happening to someone else can lead to the development of PTSD. Anything related to the traumatic event can trigger back the symptoms. Those memories flash back in the mind frequently. This changes the personality and the behavior of a person. An individual begins to look at things differently. Sometimes it is difficult for them to trust others. An untreated PTSD person may find it difficult to live a normal life smoothly due to the flashback of events.

4] Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder occurs when a person struggles to manage emotional attachment in relationships, especially when faced with the idea of being apart from loved ones. While it’s natural to feel sad or uneasy when separated from family or close friends, this disorder involves an intense and excessive fear that goes beyond the typical emotional response.

We often hear about “homesickness,” especially in children or those living away from home for the first time. However, homesickness is usually temporary and manageable. But, in Separation Anxiety Disorder, a person finds it difficult to survive without family or friends. Usually, they are dependent on their family members. They feel safe around their loved ones. On another hand, they have the thoughts of other person being in danger without them. For this reason, they would like to be around them all the time. Although more commonly observed in children, adults can also experience Separation Anxiety Disorder, especially after traumatic experiences or major life transitions.

5] Social Anxiety Disorder

An individual with Social Anxiety Disorder will not be comfortable around the people. Any social events or gatherings will be a tough thing to attain. Performing activities together in a group can be a stressful thing to do. Eating outside in a restaurant or parties triggers anxiety symptoms. One of the troubling symptoms is a speech problem. A person suffering from this kind of anxiety will find it difficult to have a conversation with others. Sometimes their low esteem can also result in slurred speech. With these symptoms, one can feel tensed to carry out casual outgoings. They feel scared of their unpredictable symptoms. They get thoughts of people judging them. They do not want to embarrass themselves by showing up the symptoms.

6] Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves a pattern of unwanted thoughts, fears, or urges. The mind constantly sends signals to perform certain tasks over and over again, even when there’s no logical need to do so. These repetitive thoughts can cause significant anxiety. There is a fear whether the particular task is done or not. Even if there is no one to supervise the person, the fear will always exist in the mind. OCD is not simply about neatness or habits; it’s a serious condition that often requires therapeutic intervention and support.

7] Phobias

Phobia is inter-related with anxiety and panic attacks. Phobia of any object or animals is usually unavoidable. A person is constantly in thoughts of what if these objects or animals show up? While others may consider the fear to be exaggerated, for the person experiencing it, the response is very real and often uncontrollable. With phobia: one feels cold, heart beat races, and body trembles. Most of the people cry like a child. Even if one knows that their behavior is not normal, a phobia is something they cannot overcome easily. The fearful thoughts trigger anxiety. While the person is frequently checking around to not see those things around, any random object can be misinterpreted as the same phobia object. This gives heart pound at that moment. Overcoming a phobia often requires guided therapy and support, as simply “getting over it” is rarely possible without help.

In addition to the clinical disorders discussed above, anxiety can also be seen during everyday moments such as before traveling, giving presentations, attending social gatherings, participating in meetings, or trying something new. These moments may seem routine to others but can be deeply triggering for someone struggling with anxiety.

Recognizing the signs early and seeking help can make a significant difference. Whether through therapy, mindfulness practices, medication, or supportive relationships, managing anxiety is possible. With the right support and awareness, individuals can lead better life.

Would you like to share your anxiety or panic story here?
Do you have any helpful tips to overcome anxiety?
It would be great to read your story as well as tips in the comment section.
It will surely help others.

Thank you for reading. 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful time.
If not, take rest and restart again.

Read Related Content on this Website:

How to help someone suffering from Anxiety and Panic Attack? – Heal Your Emotions

How to control anxiety at night time? – Heal Your Emotions

Buy this book : “The Subconscious Game” to learn more about Anxiety and Panic Attack management. The Paper book is available on Amazon.com and you can also get Ebook copy via poetrybookcreation@gmail.com
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