Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Temporary feelings of anxiety, nervousness, apprehension or worry at certain times in our lives in stressful situations are entirely normal.Anxiety is a basic biological driving force and a natural response to threatening or stressful situations. It is accompanied by bodily responses, mainly caused by hormones, which normally do not last too long.
Anxiety disorders occur in a number of different forms: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a term applied to a form of chronic, unfocused, persistent anxiety that is not produced by any appropriate cause. GAD can be a frightening, disabling condition, which causes problems in coping with normal everyday life.
For others, severe anxiety can be more intermittent, occurring either spontaneously, or triggered by some external stimulus.
Some forms of anxiety may be caused by physical problems such as:
- An overactive thyroid gland
- Hormonal disturbances
- Drug withdrawal
- Low blood sugar
- Depressive illness
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- The after-effects of concussion
- Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia.
Other forms of anxiety may be caused by psychological factors. Some psychologists believe that anxiety results from the way you interpret a situation, for example, always expecting the worst. Other psychologists think that anxiety is often deeply rooted in personality types. Others see anxiety as a reaction to pain and to the attempts made to avoid it or its sources.
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety symptom: a physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual anomaly. Anxiety can cause physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual symptoms. The body produces anxiety symptoms to let us know that something is not functioning normally. The body uses symptoms to communicate that we are, or something is, doing harm to the body. It is trying to get our attention so that we'll take action to stop the harm.Anxiety symptoms aren't sensations we need to be afraid of. But they are warning signs that we need to take corrective action to prevent further harm. Anxiety symptoms are messages designed to protect us, and not to harm us.
There is a long list of anxiety symptoms. But because each body is somewhat chemically unique, anxiety affects each person differently. Anxiety symptoms will vary from person to person in type or kind, number, intensity, and frequency. For example, one person may experience only a few minor anxiety symptoms, while another person may experience the majority of anxiety symptoms to great intensities. All combinations are possible and common.
Anxiety symptoms can range from mild to severe, from only one symptom to all of them, and can be sporadic, frequent, or persistent. Again, all combinations are possible and common.
