Anxiety seems to be a chronic problem in today’s modern age. We’re nervous about everything, especially when something doesn’t go our way, we don’t get what we want, and life doesn’t happen according to plan. People who live with a diagnosable anxiety disorder feel very much the same way. There’s a difference between having a meltdown because your ice cream cone melted and being too paralyzed by anxious fears to go outside and buy yourself that ice cream cone in the first place.
Shape magazine points out this difference as an author who lives with generalized anxiety disorder expresses the differences between having nervous and being clinically nervous. The author emphasizes that it is harmful to use phrases like “I’m going to have a panic attack” and using the word “anxiety” just to express feelings of stress. Mental health conditions like anxiety disorders face a world of shame and stigma which often prevents people from seeking help. Living with an anxiety disorder while hearing that anxiety is normal could cause someone to suffer longer than they need to. Anxiety is treatable with medications, therapy, and other helpful methods like meditation, mindfulness, and exercise.
Anxiety Works Differently From Stress In The Brain
The fight or flight system in the brain is evolutionary. Over time, hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine were developed to help humans survive. Stress and even passing moments of anxiety stimulate the production and release of these hormones and activate the sympathetic nervous system. According to the author, “the steadfastness of anxiety alerts your neurotransmitters to signal to the sympathetic nervous system hormones that you’re feeling anxious, scared, or agitated.”
Anxiety Disorders Aren’t Passing
Anyone can experience anxiety or a panic attack. Only people who live with anxiety disorders experience these attacks or live with feelings of anxiety all the time. The stress of anxiety isn’t something that comes and goes but chronically stays the same.
Anxiety Disorders Are Actual Mental Health Disorders
“You have some anxiety about the store being closed,” a psychiatrist would ask, “then what happens?” If you’d answer that then you’re fine because it isn’t that big of a deal, you probably don’t struggle with anxiety disorder. On the other hand, if the store is closed when you wanted it to be open causes an anxiety attack or hours of ruminating, worrying, and stressing, you might. Anxiety disorders are diagnosable mental health disorders that impact the way someone is able to live their lives.
Anxiety disorders are often co-occurring with drug and alcohol abuse. The euphoric sensations and sometimes analgesic effects can be a source of relief for emotions and thoughts which feel out of control. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health and substance abuse, call Hired Power today. We’re here to help you with your recovery every step of the way. For more information call 800.910.9299.
