Understanding the Causes of Anxiety and How to Cope with It
Do you often feel on-edge, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted? You are not alone.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States, affecting 40 million adults over the age of 18. That’s about 18% of the population! Anxiety can be debilitating, preventing you from living your life to the fullest. But what exactly is anxiety?
Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. When we worry, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare you to fight or flight. In other words, they help you to either face your fears or run away from them.
If you experience anxiety on a chronic basis, it can lead to burnout. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can be caused by excessive stress in our lives. When you’re burnt out, you may feel like you can’t go on any longer. You may feel like we’re running on empty.
Common Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations. It can alert you to danger and help you to take action to avoid it. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, it can interfere with your daily life. Excessive anxiety can lead to feelings of fear, worry, and uneasiness. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
There are many different things that can cause anxiety. You may have a strong predisposition to anxiety due to genetic factors. Or, you could have grown up in chaotic home, never feeling truly safe. Additionally, if you consider yourself to be ambitious and high-achieving, you may be more prone to anxiety, due to setting high standards and expectations for yourself. Also, life, generally, can be deeply demanding - at home or at work - and these pressures can also cause you to feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Stress is a major cause of anxiety. Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a job loss, can trigger anxiety. But everyday stressors, such as traffic jams and deadlines, can also lead to anxiety.
There are many different types of anxiety issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobias.
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety
Anxiety is a worry about future events, and fear is a reaction to current events. These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and shakiness.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety vary from mild to severe. They can be short-lived or last for long periods of time.
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping
Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
Anxiety can significantly impact your quality of life and daily functioning. But there is good news: anxiety is highly treatable.
There are many effective treatments for anxiety including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that helps you learn to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with your anxiety.
Seeking Professional Help
If you're struggling with anxiety, you're not alone.
If you feel like your anxiety is getting out of control, it's important to seek professional help. Therapy can help you understand your anxiety and arm you with strategies to reduce stressful feelings and thoughts.
Making the decision to seek professional help for anxiety is a big step. But it's a step that can make a big difference in your life. If you're struggling with anxiety, don't hesitate to reach out for help.
Read more about my counseling services for anxiety. Or, contact me here to schedule a free 30 minute consultation to see how I can help you live a life with less stress.
Seanna Crosbie, LCSW-S
