Did you know that 1 in 13 people in the world have to deal with anxiety at least once in their lifetime?
People with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Many people with a mental health condition, also suffer from GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) to some degree. In my experience, those who struggle with depression, usually suffer from anxiety to some level as well, and vice versa. Those who have never suffered from anxiety often cannot understand the feelings and problems of sufferers, and this is how myths and misconceptions arise.
Here are some of the most common myths about anxiety
1. Myth: It’s not a real medical problem
Truth: Anxiety is a pathological condition characterized by irrational and excessive feelings of dread and fear, which are accompanied by hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system. One-third of the funds spent on the treatment of mental disorders fall on anxiety disorders.
Conclusion: Anxiety IS a real medical problem.
2. Myth: This is a temporary problem
Truth: The awareness of the difference between real and imagined danger can “cut down” the anxiety flow in a person. A person must not forget that anxiety is transient. Quality work on oneself will lead to positive changes. Untreated anxiety can lead to lifelong issues around self-esteem and confidence.
3. Myth: Only weak people have anxiety
Truth: Very successful and happy people, from the outside, often face anxiety disorders. This happens, for example, because of fear that they will not meet their expectations or the expectations of those around them.
4. Myth: Medication is the only treatment
Truth: When an anxious person seeks help, extra examinations are referred to confirm or rule out physical dysfunction. The following examinations are recommended first:
- Thyroid function – hormone imbalance can cause anxiety.
- Blood sugar levels – low blood sugar may precipitate an anxiety attack.
- Food sensitivity – allergies to certain foods may exacerbate some of the symptoms of anxiety e.g. spicy food or caffeine.
- Iron levels – low iron levels may correlate with anxiety symptoms.
- Heart functions – frequent arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) or tachycardias (fast heartbeat) can often cause fear and anxiety – although, if everything is physically OK – it is possible that the “problems” with the heart are actually a manifestation of the anxiety.
- Checking the levels of cortisol (stress hormone) – elevated levels of cortisol in the bloodstream may increase symptoms of anxiety. How can a therapist help? After eliminating the mentioned possible causes, the next step is to examine the psychological structure of the personality, habits, and lifestyle.
5. Myth: Anxiety itself can kill you
Truth: Anxiety represents an exaggerated experience of fear that is unfounded, disproportionate to the actual danger. It often happens that people around the affected person think that it is just a way to attract attention. What happens is the opposite. A person who is affected by an anxiety attack should be distracted from the attack to reduce the discomfort. The quickest way to do this is by practicing a grounding technique combined with a breathing exercise.
6. Myth: Fearful stimuli should always be avoided
Truth: Fear can be useful. Fear warns us of dangers, and it also triggers processes in the body that enable us to fight when the worst-case scenario happens. In short: fear is important. However, fear becomes dangerous when we don’t know what causes it and it dominates our lives. It is usually perceived as paralyzing and in such situations, takes away the joy of life and limits one’s ability to act normally. People with anxiety disorders have therefore often developed a whole range of instruments and treatments to get their anxiety under control.
Anxiety-affected people shouldn’t avoid the causes of their fears, because, in the long run, they will be unable to cope with everyday life. An important component of therapy is the confrontation with the individual anxiety triggers. A person should learn how to deal with their fears and thereby overcome them at some point. Anxiety is transient, and that is why assistance from a professional is often needed.
If you feel like you need to regain control over your everyday life, feel free to contact me at meegan@stillwaterscounsel.com or schedule a free consultation with me on my booking page.
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