It is very unpleasant to feel nervous, anxious and keyed-up, especially when the problem is unrelenting. Anxiety is common; it may be of short duration or it could continue on for weeks or months. Fortunately, long-term anxiety responds well to treatment, and you can often lessen the short-term version with a healthy stress-management plan.
Definition
Anxiety is a natural reaction to nervousness, fear or stressful situations encountered in daily life. The brain and body ready themselves to handle the challenge, resulting in physical and thought-pattern changes. In addition to these environmental causes, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) explains anxiety can be triggered or increased by physical factors such as genetics, brain chemicals and certain illnesses.
Symptoms
The Help Guide psychology resource site identifies many emotional and physical anxiety symptoms. Mentally, anxiety causes fear, dread and worry. You may become restless and irritable as the stressful situation worsens. Physically, your breathing and heart rate will quicken, your body will tense and your stomach may feel queasy. Long-term anxiety leads to constipation, diarrhea, aching muscles, difficulty sleeping and chronic fatigue. Treatment for severe anxiety is necessary, because the symptoms can impair your ability to interact with family and friends, do work or perform other activities. The problem can worsen into a mental issue like generalized anxiety disorder.
Evaluation
The ADAA explains there are ways to tell the difference between a problem that needs treatment and normal anxiety that will disappear on its own. Common concerns such as bills, upcoming challenges--such as giving a presentation or talking to your boss--or fear based on a real situation--such as a tornado in the area--are normal anxiety-creating situations. Abnormal anxiety hangs on where there is no cause or is linked to unrealistic fears, like worrying about dangerous storms when there is no bad weather in the area or when there is mild rainfall. Unreasonable or unrelenting fear should be addressed.
Self Treatment
Anxiety can often be treated through stress management and relaxation activities if it has not yet developed into a disorder. Help Guide recommends evaluating your responsibilities and cutting down on them if necessary to reduce stress. Half an hour of exercise every day releases nervous energy, and massages, meditation, yoga, writing in a journal and scheduling social and hobby time are all good treatments for mild anxiety.
Professional Treatment
The ADAA advises there are two typical treatment methods. Some people can conquer their anxiety through counseling. Methods used include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches coping skills and prevention; exposure therapy, which helps you accept frightening things or situations; and other techniques that focus on acceptance and letting go of negative feelings. The second approach is medication, which can be used in conjunction with counseling sessions. The most common drugs prescribed are anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.
