Here’s How Anxiety Affects Your Body
by Neha Bhardwaj
It can strike the old as well as young without any warning! It can make a person lose all hope of a better life and health!
Anxiety! The dreaded word for everyone, whether working or not! Here’s how anxiety can affect your body.
Did you know that anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress?
Anxiety includes a continuous fear or apprehension of what is to come next. Whether it is your first day at school, going to job interviews, or giving a public speech.
If these feelings persist for six months or more, then you might have an anxiety disorder.
However, what gets many confused is an anxiety disorder. Let us first understand what an anxiety disorder is.
Anxiety Disorder- Debunked
It is entirely reasonable to feel a little worried when moving to a new place or starting a new career. At times, it also motivates a person to work harder and become better as a professional and person.
“Ordinary anxiety is a feeling, which comes, goes, and does not interrupt your daily life.’
However, with an anxiety disorder, things get a little tricky. That feeling of fear inside you becomes much intense and at times, debilitating. It promotes dissatisfaction and disinterest in almost everything, making one anxious about almost everything he is doing.
Anxiety disorder can lead a person to stop enjoying the things they once did. In extreme cases, it can also prevent a person from doing simple things as crossing the street or even leaving home for work. Without adequate treatment, this disorder is bound to get out of control.
Anxiety Attack – What is it?
Do you ever have that feeling of overwhelming fear or apprehension, worry or fear? Well, it is an anxiety attack in the making.
For the majority of people, an anxiety attack builds slowly. It worsens with each stressful event. Anxiety attacks can vary greatly, and the symptoms can differ from one person to another.
You should know that symptoms of anxiety do not occur in everyone, as these keep on changing time to time.
Do you know someone who seems a bit sweaty, is restless, has an irrational fear, or experiences shortness of breath? Well, these are all the symptoms of an anxiety attack.
What Causes Anxiety Disorder? The Real Reasons to Know Now!
The exact cause of anxiety disorder is still a matter of debate.
As per the National Institute of Mental Health, it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
Brain chemistry and areas of the brain controlling the fear response system of the individual held as two of the possible causes of this issue.
You should know that anxiety disorder could quickly occur alongside other mental health conditions, including substance abuse and depression.
Some people often try to ease the symptoms of anxiety disorder with alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or drugs, which always backfires. The relief from these substances is usually temporary.
What about the Risk Factors- Are There Any?
Although the medical community is still trying to understand as to what exactly causes an anxiety attack in a person, there are some factors, which might be at work.
These factors include someone with depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and a history of substance abuse.
It can also be someone who has faced anxiety disorder before. Some factors, which can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder include:
- Excessive stress
- Genetics
- Personality Type
- Trauma
- Gender
The Connection between Anxiety and Depression
In case, you have an anxiety disorder; there is a high chance you are depressed. Although anxiety and depression occur separately, it is not unusual for these two to happen at once.
Anxiety is a symptom of clinical depression, and on the other hand, depression often triggered by an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of both of these conditions are manageable with efficient treatment as psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle change.
How Can We Help a Teen with Anxiety?
From the point of a view of a teenager, they have a lot to worry about from college tests to taking care of their health. However, teenagers feeling anxious or experiencing any symptoms of anxiety are under the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
The symptoms of anxiety in teenagers can include shyness, isolationist behavior, avoidance personality, and nervousness. It can also lead to risky behavior as acting out, performing poorly in exams, skipping social events, and developing a substance addiction.
Some teens are also at risk of developing anxiety. Hence, it is essential to diagnose both the conditions, which will often address any underlying issues and also relieve symptoms.
A standard treatment method for diagnosing anxiety in teenagers includes talk therapy and medication, which will also help in eliminating the symptoms. Moreover, it can also help in treating depression.
The Final Words
Thus, when someone is undergoing even mild anxiety or depression, they should immediately connect with a medical professional right away for effective treatment. It is perhaps the best way to deal with any such stress, which if not treated, can lead to severe health effects.
Author Bio
Neha Bhardwaj is a professional writer and blogger interested in Fashion, Health, Travel, Beauty, and Relationships
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page does not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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