I once read about anxiety in a psychology textbook. It was defined as: “an unpleasant state”.
As we browse social media, magazines and other areas we are always faced with these articles on ‘How To Cope With Anxiety’, or perhaps ‘5 Ways To Ease Anxiety’ – the list is endless. Though, it was only recently brought to my attention that these articles seldom explore just exactly what anxiety is. After all, who would read an article on anxiety? Only those who experience it surely… As a writer who suffers with anxiety – I, myself, am guilty of addressing articles solely to fellow sufferers. When, it is important to address and vocalize, in short, what anxiety is to the non-sufferers.
What is anxiety? It is such a broad question it is as though it should come with a mark scheme. A term that encompasses several disorders. If you type ‘anxiety’ into the Google search bar you will be faced with the fact that anxiety is “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome”. While this is not wholly untrue, it is not always true for every single person who suffers with anxiety. As previously stated, anxiety is a very simple term for several different disorders. Some of the main types of anxiety disorders are: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia(s), Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yet, as anxiety is such a complex, and broad term there will be other forms of it aside the ones listed that can be further explored.
Each disorder comes with different symptoms that can affect the sufferers’ life, sometimes on a daily basis. Many people who are not enlightened on the topic of ‘anxiety’ and what it is just assume that anxiety is perhaps something that only exists in ‘fight or flight’ moments. Moments where one may be scared or worried. This is not untrue. Anxiousness, and anxiety are natural to all of us human beings (unfortunately). However, you can get diagnosed by you GP with anxiety when it begins to affect your life.
But, how can anxiety affect somebody on a daily basis? It is easy for anxiety to disrupt your well-being as it breeds upon itself. It’s hard to know just what anxiety is when you have not suffered with it. The lack of vocalization about anxiety or the stigma surrounding anxiety leaves many people absent of the knowledge that is so much more than a ‘fight or flight’ feeling. It is something that, when escalated, can lead to physical strains on the body which in the long run can result in more serious physical conditions.
For example, symptoms of GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) in some cases can cause nausea, dizziness and trembling, which are also symptoms of food poisoning. Another example of what those with anxiety endure can be illustrated through Panic Disorder symptoms: chills, shortness of breath, palpitations, numbness, choking sensations and feeling faint. These symptoms of course vary depending on the person experiencing the phobia/anxiety disorder. It could be said that there is a lack awareness of the severity of these symptoms and the effect they can have on a person over a long period of time. Another serious symptom of anxiety is the increase or decrease of appetite. Anxiety, according to Dr. Sharma (professional life coach) can directly “cause” eating disorders. Which, in hindsight, can intensify the symptoms from the disorders alone. This is just a fraction of the many symptoms endured by the warrior worriers in the world.
How is anxiety caused? Anxiety is triggered by the amygdala. The amygdala is an almond shaped structure in the part of your brain that deals with your emotions (the limbic system). The amygdala is there to protect you from threatening situations. Though, sometimes anxious people are impacted by situations that are typically not considered as threatening. As the amygdala is triggered by the senses, the memory of the situation where one may have felt uncomfortable will be stored and in the future, one might associate a particular moment they experienced with the fear that they felt the first time upon experiencing the moment in the first place. From this, disorders, and phobias can manifest. This is all because of a little almond that exists in our ‘reptilian brain‘ that we have evolved to have.
In essence, anxiety is complex. It affects around 16% of the population. Many people experience anxiety in different ways. This must be acknowledged, and vocalized. After all, it might be well said that anxiety is so much more than an “unpleasant state”. It is undoubtedly unpleasant, however, it is caused by a system evolved to protect us. Thus, anxiety is hard to control. Coping with anxiety is a strength because to endure it is to pursue a battle with oneself.
To learn about anxiety in greater depth, you can visit:
- Anxiety facts and statistics
- Learning more about different types of anxiety
- Further details on the amygdala and how it can affect humans
Do you think that you are experiencing anxiety but do not know what to do? These links may help:
- You can ask Affinity staff writers any questions about mental health
- NHS (UK) hotline for people with anxiety with questions
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