Feeling anxious is a painfully common experience that we all go through from time to time. Maybe we’re getting ready to speak to a big group or walking on a shady street at night. In these cases, anxiety can be a good thing, priming us for danger and making us ready to act. For some people however, they feel knotted stomachs, fast heart rates and heavy breathing for all the wrong reasons.  Anxiety disorders are as varied as they are common and affect many of the people around us. In this article we’ll explore what disordered anxiety is, why we experience it, and how we can better manage it.  

What is an Anxiety Disorder?  

People with anxiety disorders often experience overwhelming worry, fear, or nervousness – feelings that can feel far bigger than what’s actually happening. This often comes with physical symptoms like a racing heart or tense muscles. When these symptoms become constant and make it hard to manage everyday life, it might be an anxiety disorder.  Anxiety disorders come in a spectrum, and individuals may experience one or multiple types of anxiety in various levels of intensity. 

Some common types of anxiety disorders include: 

• Generalised anxiety: Characterised by constant fear, worries, and unrealistic concerns, Generalised anxiety affects people by making them concerned and overwhelmed by everyday activities that would otherwise feel normal and safe.  

• Panic disorder: Panic disorder is the main cause of panic attacks. People with panic disorder experience unexpected and intense moments of severe panic and stress, often causing severe physical symptoms. Panic attacks can be both random and triggered by stress or external stimulus. 

• Agoraphobia: Similar to Generalised anxiety, Agoraphobia is more specifically anxiety triggered by unfamiliar situations and an intense fear of getting overwhelmed by new things. People living with Agoraphobia will often avoid new experiences and unfamiliar environments out of this fear.  

• Social anxiety: Social anxiety is the fear and stress some people feel around themselves and others in social situations. One common example is a constant fear of judgement.  

• PTSD related anxiety: Post traumatic stress disorder carries with it numerous characteristics of an anxiety disorder and has many similar symptoms and triggers. PTSD related anxiety is the result of one or many traumatic events that caused the wider disorder. 

Anxiety disorders can affect anyone at anytime for a number of reasons. Some of the main causes of anxiety disorders include: 

• Neurological chemical imbalances 

• Changes in the amygdala 

• Genetic/hereditary predisposition  

• Environmental factors (such as a high stress job)  

• Traumatic events  

Common symptoms: 

Common symptoms of anxiety include: 

• Panic responses 

• Fear 

• Obsessive thoughts 

• Loss of concentration 

• Extreme pessimism  

• Restlessness  

• Insomnia  

• High heart rate 

• Sweating and clamminess 

• Muscle tension 

• Headache  

• Nausea  

And more. These are common traits of anxiety and its important to note that many individuals will have unique reactions dependant on many factors about the specifics of them and their disorder.  

How is it managed? 

For more severe symptoms, medication and therapy may be needed for effective treatment. That said, there are some steps you can take to manage anxiety on your own. Some steps to take include: 

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Eat well, exercise, and reduce stress where you can. 

• Use relaxation techniques: meditation, journaling, breathing techniques, etc 

• Identify and mange your triggers: if you find yourself affected by certain stimuli, taking measures to limit their impact can help. 

• Learn about your disorder: credible research and professional consultations can provide you with useful tools and information to help you manage your anxiety. 

• Unique personal strategies: many people with anxiety disorders come up with unique methods and practices that help them manage. This could be anything from a particular song that calms you, to a specific place to visit or a friend to call. The important part is finding something that works for you.  

Anxiety disorders are very common and can be very difficult to live with. Thankfully there are things you can do to make it easier; educate yourself, manage what you can, and seek help if you need it, and it will get better.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety and is seeking help, contact Michaela at Life Enhanced Therapy to book an appointment. 

Mobile: +61 0400391779