Everyone has experienced
feelings of anxiety in their life. Anxiety is often described as feelings of
fear, worry, apprehension or mild to major nervousness. Anxiety is typically
triggered by real things in our life that we perceive as challenges or possible
problems.
Tests, speaking in public,
changing jobs, moving to a new city, flying, or going to a doctor or therapist
for the first time, are all real issues that cause most people some level of
mild to moderate anxiety. However, once the event or activity has occurred, and
you have been successful in getting through it, the anxiety becomes less
noticeable and eventually disappears completely.
When anxiety levels do not
drop, or when people become anxious, worried and stressed about things that not
a reality in their life then anxiety becomes a debilitating mental state.
People that are anxious and worry constantly about 'what if' scenarios find
that they constantly imagine and dwell on worse case scenarios, regardless of
how far-fetched these events may actually be.
Anxiety can also result in
extreme reactions and perceptions of threats that are unrealistic given the
situation. Fear of the dark, fear of new people or places, or fear of change
can result in reactions to any of these normal events in life in ways that are
completely out of proportion for any possible risk.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
There is a variety of
different types of anxiety disorders. One of the commonly diagnosed is
Generalised Anxiety Disorder or GAD. In this case, individuals worry about
everyday life events in ways that are blown out of proportion to what reality
is. These individuals may not be able to pinpoint what they are anxious about,
they are just constantly on edge, worried or fearful about their life falling
apart.
Phobias are irrational fears
about objects, events, activities, or situations. The individual is very aware
of what triggers this irrational fear but are unable to control their reaction
without therapeutic interventions.
Panic disorder, which is
sometimes called a panic attack, may occur because of a specific phobia, or
everyday activities that trigger an irrational response. The response is very
intense and includes extreme physiological reactions to the source of the
anxiety. People, over time, tend to find that panic triggers become more
numerous and responses more extreme if not treated.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, and
Social Anxiety Disorder are also considered distinct types of anxiety
disorders.
TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY
There are different options
or combinations of treatments for anxiety disorders. These typically focus on
psychotherapy and counselling to help learn coping skills and become
desensitised to the specific cause of the anxiety. With careful, safe, and
individualised treatment, the patient and therapist talk through both the
anxiety and coping mechanisms.
Group sessions, medications
and learning relaxation techniques are also important parts of many anxiety
treatment plans. Many people with anxiety disorders find that hypnotherapy is a
very effective way to help overcome negative and fearful thoughts and develop
positive, healthy responses to anxiety triggers in their life.
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