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You experience anxiety when something troubles your mind, causing you to worry. It could be a social event that's coming up, an impending task you don't know how to handle, or a situation that causes fear.
But here's the million dollar question. Will your anxiety ever go away? Or will your anxiety get worse over time?
Normal anxiety does go away when you've addressed the cause. But anxiety disorder that disrupts daily life can be more difficult to deal with and may get worse over time. Thankfully, you can recover completely from anxiety disorder as many others have done.
Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion involving worry, fear, and stress. Like other negative emotions such as anger, anxiety often comes because of a trigger but goes away after a while.
When you have anxiety, your adrenaline and heart rate typically go up to help you focus on the threat. It's more or less a state of high alert, like when you're running away from danger.
However, it's different when it's not just anxiety that comes and goes but a constant state of mind. The worry becomes endless and doesn't essentially require an actual triggering situation. This persistent feeling of anxiety is a mental disorder.
You likely have anxiety disorder when the feelings are overly intense, whether in the presence or absence of a threat.
The symptoms of anxiety disorder are virtually the same as those of normal anxiety but are more persistent.
If you have an anxiety disorder, the symptoms may get worse over time if left untreated. It may affect your relationship, work, and school.
Fortunately, whether your anxiety is normal or a disorder, there are ways to manage it, including therapy and medication. It's advisable to get help as soon as possible to ensure this condition doesn't impair your normal day-to-day activities.
An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse can recommend anti-anxiety prescriptions for you to use and lifestyle habits to practice or change.
Persistent anxiety could be a:
People with post-traumatic stress disorders typically also experience some anxiety symptoms. However, that's not an anxiety disorder, according to how it's classified in the DSM-5.
Notably, over 30% of American adults are estimated to experience an anxiety disorder at a point in their lives. If you're currently at that point, do not hesitate to reach out. There is help waiting for you.
Anxiety isn't necessarily permanent. In fact, about 40% of people who once battled anxiety disorder now live in excellent health!
And the good news is that something as simple as staying connected emotionally is crucial to full recovery from anxiety. Having someone to confide in is a form of social support; it fosters confidence and a higher sense of belonging. Hope is also a key factor for recovering from anxiety.
While using medications for your anxiety disorder, never forget to stay hopeful and connected to those who love you.
