As of 2023, it was estimated that about 4% of the world’s population dealt with some kind of anxiety[1]. Chances are, you know someone struggling with it. Maybe you even deal with the symptoms, yourself.
But, because anxiety has become so prominent and destigmatized (which is a good thing!), it can also sometimes be minimized despite how agonizing and limiting the symptoms can be. You may also find it confusing to understand what anxiety really is, or where it stems from.
Understanding those things is important. It can help you recognize symptoms, get the help you need, and learn how to manage your anxious thoughts, fears, and subsequent behaviors, instead of allowing them to take over your life.
With that in mind, let’s break down anxiety, including what it means, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
What Is Anxiety?
It’s normal to have occasional fears or worries. Life is full of uncertainty and questioning the “what ifs” happens to everyone from time to time. Anxiety, however, can put those “what ifs” at the forefront of your mind, making it difficult to focus on just about anything else.
Anxiety is a part of your body’s fight-or-flight (or freeze or fawn) response. When your brain recognizes that you’re in a potentially dangerous situation, it can cause feelings of fear, dread, or worry. While it’s a natural defense mechanism that works well for actual danger, most feelings of anxiety occur when there isn’t danger present. Rather, it’s perceived.
Anxiety can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or trembling. It can also lead to aches and pains, difficulty sleeping, isolation, and so much more.
What Causes Anxiety?
There isn’t just one cause of anxiety. It can stem from a variety of issues, including problems that happened in childhood, genetics, or traumatic events. One of the most puzzling things about anxiety is that sometimes, it just…happens.
For example, if you experienced any kind of abuse or neglect as a child, it can cause you to become anxious later in life. Stressful events can also trigger anxiety, including doctor’s appointments or job interviews, depending on whether you have social anxiety or health anxiety.
Other stressful life events can cause anxiety to wreak havoc on your mind and body, and make it difficult to focus on the reality of a situation.
While some people struggle with anxiety around the clock, others might experience it in specific situations. For instance, as I mentioned above some people have social anxiety. That makes it difficult for them to feel safe and comfortable in certain social settings, so they might avoid the situations that make them uncomfortable. They withdraw and stay isolated, which tends to only make symptoms worse.
How Is Anxiety Managed and Treated?
Again, understanding a bit more about how anxiety feels and why it happens can be the first step you need to feel empowered to get the help you deserve.
The bad news is if you have anxiety, you just have it. There’s no “cure.” If there’s a silver lining to this mental health condition, it’s that it’s often very manageable with the right treatment and support. Things like self-care, a strong support system, and stress-reduction activities can go a long way in helping you deal with anxiety on your own. But, the best way to treat anxiety is typically to work with a therapist who can help you dig deeper, process what you’re going through, reframe how you perceive your anxiety triggers and alleviate your symptoms.
Therapy is a great way to learn, personally, why your anxiety keeps happening and where it started. Getting to the root cause of anxiety is the first step in treating it. It allows you to take a healing journey with your therapist to learn more about how your life experiences have shaped your mental health, and how you can continue to work on growing a healthier foundation in how you think and feel.
Anxiety therapy can also help with daily symptom management. Over time, you’ll find it easier to feel more confident in your ability to handle discomfort, rather than letting anxious thoughts continue to challenge everything you do. Breaking down anxiety can feel a bit scary at first, but understanding what it means, and why it happens, will actually end up giving you more strength and peace of mind.
If you struggle with anxiety, we want you to know that it does not need to rule your life. There are steps you can take to manage it, and move through your life with confidence. Not necessarily anxiety free, but with the knowledge that when it comes up, you can handle it.
Again, understanding a bit more about how anxiety feels and why it happens can be the first step you need to feel empowered to get the help you deserve.
