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There is a normal anxiety that is part of everyday life. It’s the body’s natural defense when faced with a perceived threat to its well being and status quo. A person puts himself or herself through the anxiety episode as a way of responding to the circumstances around them that is either interiorly or exteriorly perceived as a danger. This is not a conscious decision. A lot of people who suffer from anxiety are told that it's all in their head and to snap out of it. As a matter of fact, the person suffering from anxiety knows the beliefs are irrational, which adds to the belief that it's all in the mind.
However, excessive anxiety and worry about life circumstances that have no basis for fact or logic, emotionally paralyzes countless number of people today. Over 85% of doctors' visits are related directly or indirectly to anxiety.
Symptoms, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, thoughts that you're losing your mind or going to have a heart attack manifest themselves in persons suffering from debilitating anxiety. During an anxiety attack there can be a trembling and, nervousness that can feel overpowering. The physical manifestations can include evidence of gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel movement, dizziness and light headedness. There can be a clamminess and a chill all over. However, be careful not to write off such experienced feelings as being anxiety based. Go to your physician for a checkup, in order to rule out and physical causes.
Many believe that persons suffering from anxiety are limited to those emotionally paralyzed to such an extent that it keeps them isolated, not able to function in the outside world. However, in reality, only 2% of the anxious population are housebound. Most suffer from general anxiety disorder, spending a great deal of time avoiding things because excessive worry. They worry that something bad will happen. They suffer from what we call, anticipatory anxiety. They anticipate that something bad is going to happen, before it happens and are anxious about it regardless if it ever becomes a reality.
Free floating anxiety is the type that can manifest itself come out of the blue for no apparent reason. It could happen in the morning when the person wakes up. It could happen in the middle of the day. It could happen late at night when everything seemingly has quieted down. It is different for different people. However, once the anxious feeling goes into effect, the person starts engaging in a negative thought process that brings the anxiety to new heights.
It’s amazing how the way a person thinks affects the way he or she deals with anxiety. As stated, negative self-talk becomes so automatic that person becomes unaware of how much it becomes part of his or her own life. This programming that has solidified after years of negative reinforcement has all kind of ramifications that not only affects how the person deals with anxiety but also how one deals with depression and that all important, self image.
Studies show that there can also be a pre-disposition toward anxiety as a result of bio-chemical origins that can be traced to extended family members. It is not unusual in such cases to find other family members who have also suffer from this disorder. Being pre-disposed to anxiety does not mean one will automatically suffer from this malady. Environment also plays an important part as well. However, growing up in a family where one gets mixed messages can trigger a latent pre-deposition toward anxiety. The inconsistent messages from caretakers, who they themselves feel anxious, can take its toll in creating an anxious child who in turn becomes an anxious adult. The messages of “I love you” coupled with the implicit message that “you’re not quite good enough” ends up being internalized by the child and adversely affects how the person, as an adult, deals with life situations in the here and now.
Depression is another symptom of the anxious personality. It is often stated that depression and anxiety are opposite sides of the same coin. When the person is all caught up in feeling anxious, taking on a sense of powerlessness to do anything about it, than depression can very well set in.
Over 90% of persons suffering from anxiety, suffer from secondary depression as well.
All in all, fear and anxiety can be a very negative force in one's life. The force is so powerful that
it can keep people from doing things. i.e.: driving a car, leaving the house, even socializing.
It can also be an initiator for positive change. The resolution of this internal conflict is to find ways to take charge of one's life.
This is where medication and professional help can be of tremendous benefit. New medications are out there that can help take the edge off while the person learns to deal more effectively with the anxiety. Partner with your primary care physician for the proper medication that will work for you.
Life is full of changes. There are pressures at work and at home. What people need are additional coping skills to deal more effectively with these pressures. Along with medication, treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can be most effective. As a result of cognitive-behavioral therapy, the person learns to think in more effective ways that goes hand in hand developing behavioral strategies that brings forth a higher level of functioning that results in learning to control one’s anxiety level as opposed to being controlled by it.
For persons wishing to learn to more effectively deal with anxiety, depression and stress, thereby enhancing one’s self image and quality of life, one can purchase the workbook or CD, entitled, “The Road Map to a More Effective Life” taking the mystery out of change and developing the necessary strategies to effectively improve the quality of your life. The cost is $15.95, plus $5.00 for shipping and handling. Merely mail your check, along with your return address to the
Life Source Center, 45 Arrowleaf Court, Cheshire, CT 06410..
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