Anxiety is a normal process in our bodies, akin to fear. Without it we would not survive. In one context it is a pleasurable experience when we use it for bravery, courage, facing our fears and taking on mountain climbing, sailing, assignments, difficult situations when we can find a positive outcome. It motivates us.
Here we have a welcome response.
Clearly the flight or fight response is useful in survival. We don't often face predators in our modern life but we do have to deal with car accidents, robberies, threats by violent people, the taxman, bank statements and the legal system to name a few.
This is a normal response.
Anxiety related to internal thoughts that threaten us are not helpful. The body responses are seen as unwelcome and scary in their own right. Tingling hands and lips, sweaty palms, shaking, palpitations and shortness of breath coupled with nausea, tummy pain, loose bowels and urgency to pass urine, at its worse fainting, remind us that the anxious thoughts of our mind are intricately interwoven with our body responses.
This is when people need help.
What can be done. There are medications that help.Xanax is the worst choice. Antidepressants and anxiolytics are very useful.
Breathing exercises can reverse the body responses. Meditation can stop the anxiety altogether. Learning how to manage conscious thoughts is useful. Socialising, having fun, thinking about happy thoughts, other people, giving to others can block the anxiety, unless you have social anxiety of course. Facing your fears and winning helps considerably. Exercise helps reduce the adrenalin.
Help is available. See you general practitioner.
Anxiety is normal.
About one in three people have abnormal anxiety, so it is common.
Here we have a welcome response.
Clearly the flight or fight response is useful in survival. We don't often face predators in our modern life but we do have to deal with car accidents, robberies, threats by violent people, the taxman, bank statements and the legal system to name a few.
This is a normal response.
Anxiety related to internal thoughts that threaten us are not helpful. The body responses are seen as unwelcome and scary in their own right. Tingling hands and lips, sweaty palms, shaking, palpitations and shortness of breath coupled with nausea, tummy pain, loose bowels and urgency to pass urine, at its worse fainting, remind us that the anxious thoughts of our mind are intricately interwoven with our body responses.
This is when people need help.
What can be done. There are medications that help.Xanax is the worst choice. Antidepressants and anxiolytics are very useful.
Breathing exercises can reverse the body responses. Meditation can stop the anxiety altogether. Learning how to manage conscious thoughts is useful. Socialising, having fun, thinking about happy thoughts, other people, giving to others can block the anxiety, unless you have social anxiety of course. Facing your fears and winning helps considerably. Exercise helps reduce the adrenalin.
Help is available. See you general practitioner.
Anxiety is normal.
About one in three people have abnormal anxiety, so it is common.
