I recently made an entry on anxiety, an excruciating condition to suffer from. It is actually a killer condition and if we want to stay healthy, we need to manage it appropriately. In fact, a neurologist recently told me that prolonged, untreated anxiety can hasten the onset of diseases like Alzheimer. This makes sense as the stress hormones, Adrenaline and Cortisol are heightened in the body and puts us in a constant position of flight or fight. My message is that it should be carefully managed.
A good start to do this, is to distinguish between the different types of anxiety and to identify which of the actions associated with each type you may be experiencing difficulties with. The various “types” and the thoughts, emotions and actions associated with each are listed below:
Generalized anxiety disorder
This sufferer worries excessively even about the smallest things.
Catastrophizing
Here individuals make mountains over mole hills; they always expect the worst in a situation.
Panic
Acute occurrences of intense and sudden physical symptoms like a quickened heart rate, difficulty in breathing, nausea and shakiness.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Back flashes or nightmares about a trauma, being excessively alert and wary, avoidance of things that remind him or her of the trauma.
Social anxiety
This type of anxiety presents as a fear to perform in front of others, meeting new people and eating or drinking in the presence of others.
Simple phobias
Some individuals have excessive fears of lifts, escalators, snakes, heights etc.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
An excessive drive to repeat certain actions like checking stuff like if doors are locked, constant hand-washing etc. typecasts this condition.
Tip:
If you or any of your loved ones display some of the above symptoms, seek the help of a psychologist. Know that there is help available for these conditions!
