Living with an Anxiety disorder is a reaction to chronic worry, stress and fear. Having an anxiety disorder has psychological, emotional and physical features. The feeling is thought to arise in the amygdala part of the brain that triggers the 'fight, flight or freeze sequential response to a perceived threat. neurotransmitters carry the impulse to the sympathetic nervous system where the heart breathing rate increases along with racing thoughts, muscle tension and blood flow is diverted from the abdominal organs to the brain.
Stress is the result of multiple and often overwhelming demands of life exerted on an individual in his or her environment. This can inhibit your ability to cope effectively and, as a result, you may develop an anxiety disorder (the reaction trio of 1. chronic stress 2. worry and 3. fear).
Everybody experiences some degree of stress, worry and fear. This is a natural reaction to environmental stressors, such as getting into an argument with your partner or family member, having a minor car accident, learning about a health condition, or getting an unexpected bill in the mail.
Acute stress or anxiety is short-term and the body is fully able to recover quite quickly. However, having an Anxiety disorder is more serious indicating long-term effects (lasting for at least six months) that Can block a happy life. after a while, your body begins to take serious strain from the undue pressure placed on it. This can result in more struggle and a number of physical, mental or emotional symptoms.
What’s important to remember is that everyone is different in their unique reaction to the complex maze of Anxiety Disorders. Some common causes are personal problems like having a negative self-image, inner shame, unhealthy relationships, loneliness, financial problems, major life change, death of a loved one, work frustrations, lack of social support, living in a high-risk environment, and lack of meaning in life.
The following are common symptoms of anxiety disorders:
The severity and frequency of these symptoms will depend on the individual’s own personal resilience, coping skills, support network or the length of time of experiencing worry, stress and fear:
● Increased heart rate/ chest tightness
● Elevated blood pressure
● Breathing difficulties
● Headaches
● Digestive problems /nausea
● Sleep irregularities
● racing and self-shaming thoughts
● Dizziness or trembling
● Muscle tension
● Excessive weight gain or loss
● Low libido
Many sufferers of anxiety disorders experience debilitating sensations in the body and mental challenges that can occur in episodes like a panic attack, which is a disabling reaction to anxiety. These episodes can be described as:
● Extended periods of unexplained sadness or irritability
● Inability to concentrate
● Unwarranted feelings of anger or fear
● Social withdrawal and lack of interest
● Unreasonable behavior or lack of impulse control
● Substance abuse as a means of self-medication
A treatment approach to generalized anxiety disorders
{First things first}
It helps to adopt healthy self-care strategies and resources that will assist in learning effective stress and time management skills. It is important to learn the skill of emotional intelligence by identifying feelings as they arise with self-compassion. reframing life challenges when they appear daunting is to incorporate new perspectives on living that can be freeing and spacious.
Journal writing can help reduce anxiety as a way to organize thoughts and feelings; to notice your process with grace and curiosity carries a high priority. getting plenty of exercise and following a nutritious diet will go a long way in reducing anxiety levels. Maintain a healthy social life and connection with others and be mindful of the amazingly happy life you are endeavoring to build.
Here are a few suggested therapy tools to treat the complex maze of anxiety disorders:
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In moments of unwelcomed feelings Face up to your anxiety with loving-kind self-awareness. Turn within yourself with gentleness and softness to notice where the tangled sensations are.
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Work with your breath. Become intentional in your breathing take five to seven slow deep breathing exercises to ground yourself in present moment awareness with self-compassion.
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recognize abusive self-talk or complex shame thoughts and feelings with self-acceptance. Breathe and accept yourself just the way you are right now. Breathe in and Say these words “this is a difficult moment for me. I feel afraid. And, I deeply and profoundly love & accept myself. ” breathe out.
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Practice Energy focused (EFT) techniques: to begin try tapping chakra energy centers when you’re feeling calm so when anxious moments come these practices will be automatic.
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the basic form is to breathe and tap energy centers with self-acceptance by dropping down into the body with open-hearted awareness, self-compassion and curiosity.
If you would like to know more about how to practice Mindfulness-based cognitive (MBCT) techniques and Energy focused (EFT) techniques to treat anxiety, please go to my online calendar to schedule an appointment. I am happy to work with beautiful you. I will show you exactly how to apply and practice these effective life tools in your daily life to build an amazingly happy and abundant life worth living!
Thank you!
Olufemi Sharp