What Is Anxiety?
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When we think of anxiety we often think of the word “stress.” While every-day stress is real and, in many ways, largely unavoidable, there is a difference between every-day stress and anxiety.
Every-day anxiety can show itself in the form of being nervous before an important event, a job, a test you need to take, a date, an interview, or any number of other events. This anxiety can fall well within the bounds of what is “normal” or acceptable.
Your heart races, your palms are sweaty, you can feel the adrenalin pumping through your system. The “fight or flight” response kicks in and your body and mind want to either run away or hit someone.
In most cases, when anxiety is still within the healthy bounds of every day life, these moments of stress and anxiety pass, leading the body to a more regulated, calmer level of functioning. Anxiety is defined as nervousness, worry, fear and apprehension.
These feelings, when mild, can be upsetting but will not interfere with daily life, whereas extreme anxiety can interfere with almost every activity of daily functioning.
There are three types of anxiety disorders. These are:
1. Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worrying about things both real and imagined, such as the possibility of losing one’s job even if that is not on the horizon, or the possibility of a child, spouse or loved one falling ill even though there is no current medical condition.
2. Panic disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by racing heart, sweaty palms, chills, dizziness. Panic attacks can be triggered by the same things or can be triggered by random events or situations, such as getting lost while driving.
3. Social anxiety
Social anxiety is characterized by a debilitating fear of what people will think about you and how your interactions with others or your interactions in public will go. This can cause other issues, offshoots of this anxiety.
Some other anxiety disorders include obsessive–compulsive disorder, phobias, separation disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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