How much stress is normal? How to know when everyday anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is a normal part of our everyday life. For most of us, it’s perfectly manageable. But then, what happens if anxiety begins to take over your life? Sometimes, ordinary anxiety can develop into debilitating anxiety disorders that can lead your feelings to spiral out of control, spiking intense fear, and even leading to panic attacks.
For people with anxiety disorders, even small everyday activities can become impossible, with any and every situation able to cause intense feelings of fear disproportionate to the activity. To avoid these feelings, some people simply avoid situations that trigger them, often staying at home, refusing to socialize, or even becoming unable to work.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including general anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and phobias. Some people also develop anxiety as a result of another condition.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can be many and wide-ranging. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Feelings of nervousness or restlessness
- Tension
- Racing heart
- Hyperventilation
- Sense of impending danger or general panic
- Weakness and fatigue
- Insomnia
- Trouble sleeping
- Fixation on what’s worrying you
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Spiraling feelings of worry
- Avoiding triggering situations
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
There are no set causes of anxiety disorders. Many things can trigger them. For some, anxiety is caused by another health condition that leads them to feel anxious about the future or can be a symptom of a medical problem not yet diagnosed. Physical problems linked to the development of anxiety disorders include heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, drug use, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, certain tumors, and asthma. Certain medications can also cause it. Fortunately, anxiety itself can be treated naturally with CBD oil capsules.
How to know if this is the cause of your anxiety?
If you don’t have any family history or previous personal history of anxiety, or you can’t think of a life event that has caused it, you should visit your doctor to discuss a possible medical cause.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing an anxiety disorder. Stressful life situations are among the most common, as either a single traumatic event or a series of smaller stresses can trigger anxiety. People who experienced trauma as children are also at higher risk of developing anxiety disorders as adults. Stress due to illness is a powerful risk factor.
Anxiety disorders can also be genetic. People who have blood relatives with an anxiety disorder put you at higher risk. Some personality types are also at higher risk, as well as people with other mental health problems. Drug and alcohol use is also a powerful risk factor for the development of anxiety.
While there’s no way to 100% prevent anxiety disorders, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Staying active and avoiding alcohol and drugs are both easy ways to do this.
If you think you’re developing an anxiety problem, visit your doctor at the nearest opportunity, so you can seek treatment before it gets worse.