via http://youtu.be/wDWWPIEBmlo Anxiety Definition: When is Anxiety Abnormal? Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in his or her li...
via http://youtu.be/wDWWPIEBmlo
Anxiety Definition: When is Anxiety Abnormal? Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in his or her life. There is no way to avoid it. The question is, "When is the anxiety you feel too much?" Different People Have Different Levels of Stress You may think that everyone knows people handle stress differently. Unfortunately, most people seem to believe everyone is just like them. The truth is that heredity, diet and the ability to relax all have an impact upon how you handle the concerns of daily life. People born into a family who worries about every difficulty probably have inherited a tendency to be worriers. At the very least, they learned the behavior from one or both of their parents. Even in the same family, some children are able to handle the events of life more easily than others. Their brains probably have a difference in how it manufactures the chemicals that either relieve or increase anxiety. Symptoms of Anxiety Think of the last time you were really worried about something. Can you feel changes in your heart rate and breathing while calling this event to mind? Just thinking about something in the past that was difficult can bring on the physical symptoms of the fight or flight response. Although some people list up to 100 indicators of anxiety, the most common are: • Increased heart rate • Higher blood pressure • Tightness in the chest • Difficulty catching your breath • Lowered sex drive • Nausea • Difficulty digesting food When Should You Be Concerned The above headline is really a trick. Being concerned, worried or upset contributes to anxiety. But, really, is there a time to be overly concerned about what is happening to you? If you have what are known as panic attacks, it's time to get some help. Panic attacks are when you have this overwhelming sense of disaster, plus the physical problems listed above, that cause you to want to drop everything and run as fast as you can to safety. This definitely interferes with your life. When your mind is filled with running thoughts which paralyze you into a state of inaction, it's time to get some help. Basically, find a therapist or support group when your fears are keeping you from doing the normal activities of life. Is a Psychiatrist Needed? Psychiatrists primarily prescribe drugs. You must evaluate whether this route is the best for you. There are numerous side effects to medication which could make your problems worse. These pharmaceuticals are highly addictive, as well. Some people also experience tremendous relief from the fears that prevent them from living their life "normally" when using medication. You might want to work with a therapist or support group who can give you behavioral and cognitive strategies to lessen your fears and then try medication of that doesn't work.
