Anxiety
Unraveling Anxiety: Understanding What You Feel
Have you ever felt overwhelmed for no clear reason? Like your heart is racing, your stomach’s in knots, and your thoughts won’t slow down—even though nothing’s really wrong? Anxiety can creep in quietly or strike without warning, leaving you feeling exhausted, confused, and alone. It can feel invisible to everyone else, but all-consuming to you. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, on edge, or like your thoughts are spiraling, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
What exactly is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion most people are familiar with. It is a natural stress response and can occur in a wide range of situations, from everyday worries to life-changing decisions. In small doses, anxiety can be an effective way to stay alert and push through daily challenges. But overwhelming anxiety can greatly disrupt a person’s daily routine.
Symptoms:
Sudden episodes of panic or terror throughout the day (panic attacks).
Excessive worry over simple issues, like work or money.
Constantly feeling nervous, restless, or tense.
Having a constant lingering feeling of impending danger or doom.
Causes and Risk Factors:
Traumatic experiences can trigger intense emotions, which can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders can sometimes be linked to other health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. Struggling with physical health issues can take a serious toll on one’s mental wellness, often leading to intense anxiety.
Genetic factors, such as having a blood relative with an anxiety disorder, can increase a person’s likelihood of developing one themselves.
Another possible cause of anxiety could be drug use or misuse. Drug addiction or dependency can cause a person to feel anxious or stressed when they aren’t using.
Common Myths and Misconceptions:
People with anxiety disorders should avoid “stressful situations.” This is untrue; such behavior can lead to an individual feeling weak or demoralized, which could ultimately worsen their mental state.
Medication is the only effective way to deal with anxiety. On the contrary, scientific research shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy might be more effective than medication in the long run.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle consisting of nutritious meals and regular exercise can “get rid of anxiety.” While this helps reduce stress, getting rid of anxiety requires more than just a healthy lifestyle.
Treatments and Coping Methods:
Psychotherapy is a common treatment for anxiety. It involves working with a therapist to reduce an individual’s anxiety symptoms. Psychotherapy can also help in developing certain skills to manage everyday anxiety.
Medications are another form of treatment, and are used to treat general anxiety. Some such medications are antidepressants, buspirone, and benzodiazepines.
Complementary health exercises are a diverse group of non-mainstream medical approaches, which help reduce the impact of stress. Some of these treatments include tai chi, acupuncture, and yoga.
School used to feel like a constant storm of pressure—tests, presentations, and packed schedules that left my thoughts spinning and my stomach in knots. The worst part was thinking I was the only one who felt that way. But learning that anxiety is a natural response—not a weakness—helped me understand my feelings more clearly and respond with strength instead of shame. With time, I found ways to breathe through the anxiety, and remind myself that doing my best really is enough.
Resources:
988 Help Yourself - a website with various tips and resources, including help finding a therapist or making a safety plan
Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 - free, confidential, 24/7 treatment for individuals facing mental health struggles
Take Action for Mental Health - a website with more information about mental health needs; includes many useful resources for people experiencing mental health challenges
Even though anxiety can seem overwhelming and impossible to live with, there are many resources and skills people can develop to push through it. From breathing exercises and grounding techniques to therapy and support groups, help is available in many forms. No matter where you are in your journey with anxiety, healing is possible—and you don’t have to face it alone.
