STAMP OUT STIGMA
Anxiety
As with depression, anyone can experience anxiety, at any time.
Anxiety often carries some symptoms also seen in depression. Indeed, there seems to be a relationship, and many people with anxiety may also be living with depression. Their shared symptoms can make diagnosis difficult. And, as with some forms of depression, there may be a link to an imbalance of the brain chemistry, which can predispose some people to anxiety.
I have seen statistics reporting as high as 50% of the population will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. So, at some point, at any one time, there may be up to 3 billion people on earth living with anxiety.
I have seen statistics reporting as high as 50% of the population will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. So, at some point, at any one time, there may be up to 3 billion people on earth living with anxiety.
And yet, who talks about it?
People living with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, a defined form of anxiety, experience ongoing and excessive worry. Anxiety can be short lived, but can also become a long term condition, or trait, of that individual's personality. Clinical anxiety is not simply having a worry or a concern for perhaps a day, which is then resolved or forgotten about.
People with anxiety may be irritable, exhausted, restless and "on edge". Feelings of apprehension can be overwhelming, as can feelings of nausea. They may also experience "upset" stomachs, have spells of diarrhoea, headaches, palpitations and chest pain. Although anxiety does not always lead to a panic attack, many symptoms are shared.
It is very treatable, and many people suffer needlessly. Education, as with many things, is the key.
People with anxiety may be irritable, exhausted, restless and "on edge". Feelings of apprehension can be overwhelming, as can feelings of nausea. They may also experience "upset" stomachs, have spells of diarrhoea, headaches, palpitations and chest pain. Although anxiety does not always lead to a panic attack, many symptoms are shared.
It is very treatable, and many people suffer needlessly. Education, as with many things, is the key.
Anxiety can be reduced through relaxation techniques, and by developing ways of coping with situations and people. Often, if there is a certain trigger for the anxiety, exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can help. People often avoid those triggers that cause anxiety, but facing those situations or people, as difficult as it may be, can often be the key to overcoming anxiety itself. Some coaching and advice on how to deal with problems and difficult situations are also helpful, for example, how to be assertive, at home and in the work place. Sometimes, medication is also appropriate, and helpful.
An element of anxiety, is that feeling of having little power over your environment or your life. If you can take back some of that control, you are on your way to controlling your anxiety.
As with depression, if you feel you are living with anxiety, seek help and advice for your family doctor. Or check here, here and here for more information.
An element of anxiety, is that feeling of having little power over your environment or your life. If you can take back some of that control, you are on your way to controlling your anxiety.
As with depression, if you feel you are living with anxiety, seek help and advice for your family doctor. Or check here, here and here for more information.
I have seen some individuals with anxiety, being spoken of as attention seekers, or weak, or in some way deficient.
These words and thoughts are not kind or accurate, and are not helpful.
To those people who share such views, remember, you or someone you love, could one day be included in those 3 billion mentioned above.
A little patience and understanding is not a lot to ask.
5 comments:
Ahhh - I hate it how many people refer to people who experience both depression and anxiety as attention seekers. It really undermines how they feel about themselves and encourages people to hide how they are truly feeling. Thanks for the posts about these issues :)
Reading your article couldn't have been better timing. I really appreciate that you are writing about such a tender topic, which I agree, needs to be spoke about more frequently. The more people talk the less of a stigma people are going to feel. I would still like to read more about chemical anxiety and situational anxiety. Is this a topic you have considered?
I developed MASSIVE anxiety/ panic attacks while pregnant with my last child. I had had several 'fears' prior to that but nothing as life altering as what I had then. I literally became a recluse. I had ll kinds of 'beliefs' about things, refused to ride on the interstate when you could get me out of the house. Mine all began with a gall bladder gone bad and a crappy OB Gyn who chose to label my middle of the night dry heaves, cold sweats, heart pounding wake up calls as panic attacks. By the time I was finally properly diagnosed I really did have anxiety disorder/ panic attacks. I still have some of the fears, I don't like driving by myself at all. I am still nto real fond of interstate driving. I finally conquered one of the major fears about driving by going out of state last year to VA to pick up my sister. Until then it had been over 10 years since Ihad left the state. I think I will write a post about my anxiety...ty hun once again for reminding everyone that 'normal' is not always the same kind of normal for everyone
It's funny how some people think it an attention thing....On the contrary, I want left completely alone when having an attack. LOL
This is a great post. It's amazing to me how many people have the stigma about anxiety/depression. I have spoken to many people who have extreme anxiety, but feel it's "weak" to ask for help. I tell them, "If you broke your arm, wouldn't you get a cast? Well, your brain just needs a little help right now." I think it makes them feel better about getting treatment.
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