Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural human reaction, and it serves as a basic survival function. It is our reaction to anticipated danger, and is a completely natural thing to experience. However, anxiety also gets out of hand. According to TeensHealth.org, middle school is when most people develop anxiety disorders, so it is a relevant topic.

Everyone experiences anxiety. It is completely normal to worry before a big test or life event. It is not always a bad thing; it can be a good thing sometimes. Anxiety makes us feel alert, focused and ready to work out potential problems. However, too much anxiety can make a person feel overwhelmed, tongue-tied and unable to do what they need to do. It is important to balance anxiety and not become too stressed.

There are two main types of anxiety. There is mild anxiety, which is characterized by a moderate sense of uneasiness or nervousness. Crippling anxiety can be characterized by fear, dread or panic; it is most commonly felt by people with anxiety disorders. However, just because you have felt fear, dread or panic does not mean you have crippling anxiety.

Middle school is the typical age anxiety disorders start. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders affect an average of one in every eight teens. Teens with untreated anxiety disorders are more likely to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences and engage in substance abuse. According to the ADAA, anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders, and they affect 18 percent of people in the United States.

If you experience crippling anxiety often it is important to tell a trusted adult so that you can get the help that you need. You may have an anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorders do not go away unless they are treated. Anxiety disorders can be treated by mental health professionals and therapists. According to the ADAA, some symptoms of anxiety disorders are crippling anxiety, heart palpitations, panic attacks, constant stress and dread. However just because you may have experienced some of these symptoms it does not always mean you have an anxiety disorder.

Experts do not know exactly what causes anxiety disorders, but according to the ADAA, they do know that several things play a role, including genetics, brain biochemistry, an overactive fight or flight response, stressful life circumstances, learned behavior and past experiences. We also know that women are twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders and that anxiety disorders often co-occur with other disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and ADHD. ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a condition that involves attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

One type of anxiety disorder is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive and unrealistic worrying about everyday things. A teenager named Rachel, who shared their story on TeensHealth, had this to say about GAD:”I missed the next three days of school because I told my mom I was too sick to go. And while this was true-I couldn’t keep keep any food down for three days-I knew it was more because of my fears than because of any physical illness.”

People with this disorder experience exaggerated worrying and tension, and anticipate disaster even when there is no apparent reason for concern. According to the ADAA, GAD affects about 3 percent of the U.S. population, so almost seven million people in the U.S. suffer from GAD. Some people with GAD have trouble carrying out the simplest of tasks when their anxiety is severe.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is another form of anxiety disorder. People who suffer from OCD suffer from unwanted and intrusive thoughts that they cannot get out of their heads that often make them perform ritualistic behaviors. Some behaviors include excessive hand washing, counting, or attempting to ward off these unwelcome thoughts, feeling, or images. Most people who have OCD are aware that their compulsions are irrational, but they often feel powerless to stop them. The ADAA says that “trying to concentrate on daily activities may be difficult.”

Another form of anxiety disorder is Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety Disorder is the extreme fear of being scrutinized and judged by others in social or performance situations. People with this disorder may have few or no social relationships, making them feel powerless, alone or even ashamed. According to the ADAA, 36 percent of people with social anxiety disorder report having symptoms for ten or more years before reporting them. Although most people with this disorder recognise their fear as unreasonable, most feel too powerless to stop the anxiety.

Out of control fears called phobias, are another form of anxiety. Most people manage to control their fears, but a person with a phobia goes out of their way to avoid these fears. Phobias may limit work efficiency, reduce self-esteem and place a strain on social relationships. The ADAA had this to say about phobias: “while some phobias develop in childhood, most seem to arise unexpectedly, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. Their onset is usually sudden, and they may occur in situations that previously did not cause any discomfort or anxiety.”

A panic disorder is another form of an anxiety disorder. People who have a panic disorder often experience spontaneous panic attacks. These panic attacks may occur any time, even during sleep. Many people with a panic disorder fear recurring attacks and may not even go to places where they have previously had panic attacks.

If you do have an anxiety disorder, it is extremely important to report it to a trusted adult so that you can get treatment. Therapists and mental health professionals can treat anxiety disorders and make life better for you. Anxiety is a completely natural part of life, but it can get out of hand because of crippling anxiety and anxiety disorders.

#iam #nolandegarlais #20142015