We all experience anxiety in everyday life, and it manifests differently for each person. The "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" states that anxiety is a normal response to stress and includes feelings of apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty or even dread. It is important to recognize and identify the stresses in your life that cause different levels of anxiety, so that you can incorporate proper coping mechanisms or get the appropriate medical treatment.
Mild Anxiety
Tension of everyday life can produce mild anxiety, though it can have positive effects. It can motivate, produce growth, enhance creativity and increase learning because at this level, you are alert and perception is increased.
Moderate Anxiety
At this level, you lose the broader picture and focus only on the cause of the anxiety. You may not be able to pay attention like usual, and even though your perceptual field is narrowed, you are still able to solve a problem. Mild and moderate levels of anxiety are considered normal.
Severe Anxiety
If you can't stop getting a feeling that something bad is about to happen, you may be experiencing severe anxiety. At this level, it seems impossible to solve problems, and your focus is completely scattered. You may feel at a loss about what to do without outside direction because your awareness of your surroundings is significantly narrowed.
Panic
This is the highest level of anxiety and is associated with dread, terror and a sense of impending doom. You may not be able to communicate, function or concentrate because you are unable to think rationally. You may start uncontrollably pacing and become increasingly active without absolute purpose. According to Vacarolis, Carson and Shoemaker, authors of "Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach," the source of anxiety needs to be reduced quickly at this level because if prolonged, panic can lead to exhaustion and negatively affect your health.
Anxiety Disorder
If you often find yourself feeling severe levels of anxiety or panic, it is possible you may have an anxiety disorder. Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, the author of "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook," distinguishes the disorder from normal anxiety in that it is more intense and doesn't go away, even though the stressful situation has passed. If you also develop irrational fears, called phobias, you should consult your primary care provider to assist you with the appropriate medical treatment.
References
- "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook"; Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.; 2005
- "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book"; Scott Litin, M.D.; 2009
- "Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach"; Elizabeth M. Vacarolis, R.N., M.A.; Verna Benner Carson, Ph.D., APRN/PMH; Nancy Christine Shoemaker, APRN/PMH, B.C.; 2006
