Anxiety Guide
The word anxiety is often not differentiated from the terms anxiety disorder or stress (especially on social media). So, understandably, there's a lot of confusion about what anxiety actually is and what to do about it.
You might have thought you're just an anxious person and must live with it, but that's not the case! This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need about anxiety in bite-sized chunks, so you can have clarity and get the help you need!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. What is Anxiety?
2. What is an Anxiety Disorder?
3. What Causes Anxiety?
4. Can Anxiety be "Cured?"
5. When to Get Help + Treatment Options
6. Is Medication Necessary?
7. Is Anxiety Medication Addictive?
8. How to Manage Anxiety Symptoms
9. How to Tell Others About My Anxiety
10. How Can RTT Help With Anxiety
1. What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a completely normal human emotion characterized by excessive worrying and fear.
In a nutshell, anxiety is the overestimation of a perceived threat combined with the underestimation of your ability to cope with it.
It is not a mental health disorder in and of itself.
However, it can develop into one when this stress response becomes excessive, constant, or overwhelming over a prolonged period and starts interfering with your daily life.
Anxiety is different from fear in the sense that it is a long-acting anticipatory response to diffuse a future concern through worry or fear. Fear, on the other hand, is just a short-lived response in the present moment to a specific threat (like freaking out when you see a snake in the grass).
The words stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably because they have similar characteristics and symptoms, but they're not the same. It's essential to understand the difference to get the help you need.
Stress is caused by an external trigger, which subsides once the trigger is gone or the situation is resolved.
Anxiety, on the other hand, often persists even in the absence of the trigger because the trigger is related to an internal perception.
In other words, stress is a physiological and behavioral response to immediate challenges or threats.
In comparison, anxiety is an emotional and psychological state involving excessive worrying about perceived future harm.
So, you might be feeling stressed about an upcoming important exam, for example, that you haven't sufficiently prepared for. If you feel okay about exams in general but are just worried about this particular one, it's stress.
But if the mere thought of any exam stresses you out, regardless of whether or not you need to take one, you're likely dealing with anxiety.
2. What is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety exists on a spectrum.
Feeling anxious every once in a while is normal. But if your anxiety symptoms persist over an extended period and become unmanageable, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Your anxiety or fear must be out of proportion to the situation and hinder your ability to function normally to be medically considered a disorder.
High-functioning anxiety (HFA) is not medically recognized as a disorder, although it can negatively affect your mental wellness and overall health. That is because you can still manage your day-to-day life despite experiencing symptoms.
So, if you frequently struggle with anxiety but can function normally, you may not think about getting help immediately. But if this has been going on for a long time, getting help sooner rather than later would be better because it can negatively affect your physical and mental health in the long run. You don't need to keep struggling unnecessarily and suffer in silence just because your anxiety isn't considered a textbook disorder!
ANXIETY DISORDERS
are some of the most common mental health issues of our time. They are diagnosable conditions and are often accompanied by physical symptoms. Some of them include:
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⏵ Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
⏵ Panic Disorder
⏵ Specific Phobias
⏵ Social Anxiety Disorder
⏵ Separation Anxiety Disorder
⏵ Substance or Medication-Induced Anxiety
There's often an overlap between the SIGNS & SYMPTOMS of the different type of anxiety disorders, such as:
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⏵ Excessive Worry & Overthinking
⏵ Irritability
⏵ Restlessness
⏵ Sleep Issues
⏵ Chronic Fatigue
⏵ Muscle Tension
⏵ Avoidance & Withdrawal
3. What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety is primarily a knee-jerk worry response of the mind to uncertainty about the future to avoid something bad that happened to us in the past.
It is directly linked to your perception and interpretation of what happened. So, a traumatic event may trigger anxiety in some people while others won't be affected by it the same way.
It is a typical response to:
- Environmental & Social Stress
Stressful life events, such as a divorce, the death of a loved one, abuse, discrimination, or ongoing financial stress. Even situations like a demanding job or strained relationships can trigger anxiety. - Past Trauma
Traumatic incidents can significantly impact a person's perception of safety years after they happen. - Childhood Trauma
A person's upbringing and traumatic childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect, can influence anxiety levels as an adult. - Substances
Certain recreational drugs and medications can contribute to anxiety as a side effect of consumption or withdrawal.
4. Can Anxiety be "Cured?"
As a natural and necessary human emotion, anxiety cannot be "cured," like an infection with antibiotics. There's nothing wrong with anxiety in and of itself.
Anxiety and anxiety disorders are NOT the same.
One is an emotion, while the other is a mental health problem.
An anxiety disorder can be treated and managed to the point where it no longer controls your life — at which point it is no longer a disorder.
So, yes, you can "cure" anxiety disorders. (For HFA, yes, you can "cure" your specific anxiety triggers, although they're not considered a full-blown disorder.)
But, no, you can't "cure" anxiety and avoid the emotion forever.
That is because the nature of anxiety is tied to your interpretation of the trigger as well as your self-perception, which constantly evolves. The anxiety you're experiencing at any moment may or may not be tied to the same trigger. That's what therapy helps you decipher, so it no longer triggers you!
If you're temporarily experiencing mild anxiety symptoms, you can usually manage them on your own.
However, if you want to get support because your anxiety is becoming challenging to manage, the standard treatment involves lifestyle adjustments alongside psychological counseling or therapy. Medications are not always necessary, but may be helpful for individuals struggling with severe symptoms.
Noninvasive, natural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) are incredibly effective at helping you manage your anxiety. These therapies focus on changing the distorted thought patterns that can trigger the symptoms of anxiety, allowing you to rewire your brain and respond to your stressors in healthier ways.
5. When to Get Help And What Type of Help to Get
Knowing when to seek help for anxiety is crucial.
While everyone experiences anxiety at some point, you should consider professional help if:
- Your anxiety is persistent and stops you from your daily activities, impacting your ability to work, study, or perform daily tasks.
- You find yourself avoiding situations, people, or places due to anxiety.
- Your physical health is suffering (e.g., sleep issues, chronic fatigue, persistent headaches, digestive problems).
- You're turning to unhealthy substances for relief as a coping mechanism (e.g., alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication).
When it's time to seek help, there are several types of therapy available:
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⏵ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
⏵ Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)
⏵ Mindfulness & Meditation
⏵ Medication (Optional)
Each person's journey with anxiety is unique, as it presents itself on a spectrum and is often accompanied by other conditions. So, the best therapy approach may differ slightly from person to person.
In any case, you do not have to keep struggling with anxiety and wait for your symptoms to worsen until they turn into an anxiety disorder to get professional help. Learning how to manage anxiety symptoms can improve your emotional well-being at any stage!
6. Is Medication Necessary to Treat Anxiety?
Medication is not always required to manage anxiety disorders.
It can be a helpful tool for managing severe anxiety symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment plan alongside therapy, especially in the short term.
Medication does NOT "cure" anxiety; it only helps you to manage the symptoms. Talking with a healthcare provider is vital to determine whether this would benefit you.
Why Opt for Therapy Before Starting Medication:
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⏵ Non-medication Treatments are Highly Effective
⏵ Side Effects
⏵ Dependency & Tolerance
⏵ Temporary Relief
7. Is Anxiety Medication Addictive?
Not all anxiety medications are addictive, but some, particularly benzodiazepines (like Xanax, Valium, or Ativan), carry a higher dependency risk.
Benzodiazepines work quickly by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which has a calming effect on the brain. However, because they act fast and make you feel better almost immediately, they can be habit-forming.
Risks of Addiction
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⏵ Tolerance
⏵ Withdrawal Symptoms
While medication can be part of an anxiety treatment plan, it's essential to use it cautiously and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. If you're concerned about addiction, be sure to discuss this with your doctor and consider alternatives.
8. How to Manage Anxiety
Here are some practical ways to help you manage anxiety on your own:
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⏵ Practice Deep Breathing
⏵ Exercise Regularly
⏵ Eat a Balanced Diet
⏵ Practice Mindfulness
⏵ Establish a Routine
⏵ Challenge Negative Thoughts
⏵ Limit Alcohol & Drug Use
Managing anxiety involves taking inventory of your lifestyle choices. Be patient and consistent to determine what works best for you.
If you're looking for more targeted help for your specific symptoms, therapies like CBT or RTT can offer practical tools and techniques designed to manage your anxiety.
9. How to Tell My Friends And Family About My Anxiety
If you've been struggling with anxiety for a while, it's a good idea to let the people you spend most of your time with know. Informing them about what you're going through helps them understand what is happening and how they can support you.
Here's how you can approach the conversation:
- Choose the Right Time
Find a moment when you can have an uninterrupted conversation. Avoid bringing it up in the middle of a stressful situation. - Be Honest and Direct
Explain what you're experiencing, outlining how anxiety affects you and what would help you manage it. For example, you might say, "I've been feeling anxious lately, and it's been hard to manage. I wanted to let you know because it's affecting my life, and I could use some support." - Educate Them
Anxiety isn't always well understood, so be prepared to explain what it is and how it feels. You can share some of the symptoms and triggers you experience. - Ask for Support
Be clear about what you need. Whether you need someone to listen, help with daily tasks, or encourage you to seek therapy, let them know how they can support you. - Be Patient
Your loved ones might not fully understand what you're going through right away, and that's okay. Give them time to process and learn how to support you.
Opening up about anxiety can lead to stronger relationships and a better support system, both of which are invaluable in managing the condition.
10. How Can RTT Help With Anxiety
Rapid Transformational Therapy® (RTT) is a groundbreaking approach that combines the best elements of hypnosis, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to deliver fast, effective results for those struggling with anxiety. Here's what you can expect from RTT (click ⏵ to expand):
⏵ Rapid Results
⏵ Subconscious Focus
⏵ Holistic Approach
⏵ Personalized Therapy
⏵ Empowerment
By working on the root causes of anxiety and providing you with the tools to reframe your mindset, RTT can help you achieve a level of peace and control that might seem far-fetched right now.
If you're ready to take the next step in your journey toward anxiety relief, RTT could be the solution you've been searching for!
Excessive fear, dread, and worry about social situations and being criticized or judged negatively by others in social interactions. This fear often leads to avoiding social settings altogether, negatively impacting relationships, school, or work.