Anxiety Defined

The A word, she's a real bitch and the blame for so many things in my life I don't even know where to start. Anxiety in simple and more obvious terms is a natural response of the body to stress or danger. It is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease about an upcoming event or uncertain situation. Anxiety can be a normal and helpful response in certain situations, such as preparing for a job interview or exam, but it can also become excessive, irrational, and interfere with daily activities.

Anxiety can manifest in various forms such as panic attacks, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Symptoms of anxiety can include increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, hyperventilation, and difficulty concentrating. In more severe cases, anxiety can lead to physical health problems and impact a person's quality of life.

Treatment options for anxiety can include therapy, medication, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle changes. It's important to seek help if anxiety is impacting your daily life and functioning.

Anyone that lives with anxiety will tell you that while all this may be true, there is so much more to it than a racing heart beat and butterflies in the stomach. This beast can manifest in many other ways including:

1. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): People with OCD experience recurrent, intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety, and they often engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts to alleviate the anxiety.
2. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): People with PTSD may experience anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
3. Separation anxiety disorder: This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from loved ones or from home.
4. Phobias: People with phobias have an intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, such as flying or spiders.
5. Hypochondriasis: This is a form of anxiety where people become excessively worried about their health, even when there is no evidence of illness.
6. Panic disorder: People with panic disorder experience recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden and intense periods of fear or discomfort.

How does anxiety show up for you and how do you manage it from controlling your life?