When we feel anxious about something, our body activates its stress response to help deal with the threat. This stress response is a natural reaction that causes the body to secrete stress hormones that travel to targeted areas and bring about physiological, psychological, and emotional changes. It is these changes that ultimately lead us to “fight or flight” mode.
Even if there’s nothing immediately happening to us, the mind and body can feel like it is – and that’s when anxiety can worsen.
What’s Happening the Inside Doesn’t Always Show on the Outside
Racing thoughts, dizziness, increased heart rate, excessive worry, and other symptoms of anxiety affect millions of people every day. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults ages 18 and older. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable – yet less than 40% of people suffering with anxiety disorders receive treatment.
One of the most challenging aspects of anxiety is that the symptoms are more experienced within and can be more difficult to see from the outside. Even pursuing familiar activities, such as school or work, can be anxiety-inducing.
Anxiety in Everyday Life
For those who suffer from anxiety but haven’t been treated, it’s very possible that the effects of this mental illness will translate into your daily life – including your workplace. At work, anxiety could mean that a person becomes late with deadlines, struggles to communicate with co-workers, holds themselves back from seeking leadership positions, avoids meetings, and more.
At home, untreated anxiety often means avoiding activities that you used to enjoy. You may find yourself constantly questioning yourself, your partner, and your relationship. Over time, this anxiety can lead to emotional distress, lack of motivation, fatigue, and other physical problems.
Treatment Can Help
Anxiety tends to establish a sense that there is no hope for possible treatment – this is only a false perception created by the disorder. Treatment can be a great option for you if anxiety has taken over your life in a significant way.
For example, therapy can give you an opportunity to learn new tools to better manage your anxiety, with some clients taking medication as well to help them get a clear sense of mind while focusing on their recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an incredibly effective approach to anxiety treatment that involves “homework” for clients to apply what they’ve learned in therapy to daily life.
If you are battling with anxiety, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to seek help.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned mental health and substance abuse recovery center. We have created a revolutionary interdisciplinary approach to healing anxiety disorders, integrating neurofeedback, cognitive-behavioral, experiential, somatic, and mindfulness therapies. Call us today at (844) 857-5992 to learn more about our treatment options.
