High Anxiety

“Anxiety is the signal of danger which mobilizes the human organism’s resources at all levels of functioning in the interests of conservation, defense, and self- preservation.” (Anxiety 1) If a person suffers from anxiety there is a major loss of control and then an attempt to regain that control because of a fear that they have. Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequently occurring mental disorders in the United States. However, anxiety disorders are not only found in the United States. They are found throughout the world. They just happen to be most predominating in the United States. In this paper, I will be discussing the generalized anxiety disorder and how if effects society today.

Alternatively Hadley (1995) puts forward the view that contrary to popular belief, anxiety actually arises out of thoughts of potential danger and not the actual danger that produces the symptoms of anxiety. In support of this view the document by Chrysalis states that “feelings of anxiety come from apprehension or fear, the source of which is not always recognisable”. Feeling anxious at certain times in our life is a normal instinctual response that serves as a protection to aid survival. It teaches us to avoid dangerous situations and in this way is a learning process however the subconscious can sometimes work overtime resulting in response to all situations that feel remotely similar to the one that has made us feel anxious in the first instance (Chrysalis 2010 1-5 pp7). This document describes how anxiety will affect our whole being, our emotions, our behaviour and our physical health. Anxiety becomes a problem when its level rises above normal and interfere with a person’s life, associated physical symptoms include, trembling, tense muscles, churning stomach, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, heart palpitations, pins and needles, sweating or flushing (Chrysalis 2010 1-5 pp7). These feelings coupled with the physical symptoms experienced make a person want

Anxiety is one of the banalest features in the human mind. People with severe anxiety can have strenuous difficulties in life. In the past, anxiety was deemed irrelevant, and it was assumed to be benign. In recent years, Researchers have concluded that anxiety can be detrimental to one’s health. Anxiety can range from mild to strong, but nonetheless, it can affect lives severely. Almost everybody in the world has at least some type of anxiety. Whether it is presenting in front of a crowd, going to social events, reliving a traumatic experience, or even going on a rollercoaster. Psychology doctor, Peg O-Conner declares in her article that anxiety is, in fact, part of human nature (Conner). Conner argues that becoming unable to prioritize matters,

Anxiety is a disorder many people are quick to self-diagnose. While anxiety is a very serious disorder, I believe it is important to educate and seek professional advice before assuming you are someone who suffers from this disorder. I chose the article by Alexander M. Penney, Dwight Mazmanian, & Caitlin Rudanycz because I was that person I previously mentioned. I suffered for years from what I assumed was severe anxiety and it wasn’t until I sought professional help that I was finally able to understand and better control the situation at hand.

According to Hadley and Staudacher, anxiety does not arise directly out of painful or dangerous situations. Instead, it’s the thought of potential danger, not the actual danger, which produces the symptoms of anxiety. This is similar to the work done by Lazarus and Folkman's on their interpretation of stress. This process is referred to as the ABC model of anxiety, the situation – A, gives rise to the thought – B, which in turn causes the anxiety – C.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States and women are over twice as likely to suffer from anxiety than men (Kessler et al., 2005). The symptoms of anxiety can be life disrupting; affecting personal and professional relationships, sleep, appetite, health, and overall quality of life. The causes of anxiety seem ever-present and there is no indication the situation is going to improve in the immediate future. Global politics, war, domestic terrorism, rising health care costs, and economic instability are but a few of the surfeit anxiety causing stressors individuals must endure while also managing daily pressures of everyday life.

Anxiety has several disorders that causes fear, worrying, nervousness and apprehension. Dealing with these disorders can affect how we feel which can cause physical symptoms. “Individuals find it difficult to control the worry” (Page 107). Generalized anxiety disorder has many different levels of various events or activities. People with that disorder have difficulties with concentrating sleeping or resting. This can mostly affect you when dealing with worrying like health issues, chores, being on time, work related task. Theirs other different types of link anxieties likes Panic disorder is an abrupt of intense fear or intense discomfort which you start to sweat, trembling, or shaking, feelings, or choking, chills, feeling, dizzy, Fear of dying and more.

Anxiety is a common occurrence and emotion in everyday life. Yet there are several individuals today who suffer from great pangs of anxiety and feelings of panic at such extremely high levels that it becomes quite debilitating. A normal, everyday environment can become so overwhelming that the day itself can stop dead in its tracks while the sufferer rides through the wave of intense emotions and thoughts which seem to be going a million miles a minute and showing no signs of stopping or slowing down.

The world starts to blur, all thoughts become distorted and jumbled in a mass of panic. Air, the lifeblood of our existence, evades you. Nothing makes sense. When you are finally able to gulp sweet oxygen down, it sets your lungs ablaze. This is a panic attack. A horrific experience wish upon no mortal man. The barrier that I have faced is anxiety; Persistence and Determination have helped me take my disorder head on and overcome it.

Having generalized anxiety is more than just a reaction one experiences during stressful times. Rather, it is a feeling of constant paranoia, of constant fear, that takes over your daily routines and every day life. Anxiety is more than being anxious about an upcoming midterm, of an upcoming speech or presentation – it is having mental breakdowns, panic attacks and obsessive thoughts that consume your imagination, your thoughts. Generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) preludes into something greater than living in constant fear of either contracting an illness or being contaminated by germs. They act as inhibitors, preventing healthy wellbeing, positive emotions and healthy relationships. While OCD and anxiety play a huge

“Although anxiety disorders are both common and distressing, many people with anxiety disorders don 't seek professional help and may live with these distressing and impairing conditions for decades.” (Arbor 2011,p.22)

Anxiety can generate a chronic stress response. However the frequent experience of worry or fear, and the wish to avoid these negative feelings, distinguishes anxiety from day to day stress. Anxiety is reinforced though experiential avoidance, the attempt to avoid any experiences (thought, feels, sensations or situations that might

Anxiety disorders cause psychological and physical changes in the body in anticipation of real or imagined dangers. Those changes are symptoms or signs of an anxiety disorder. Under normal circumstances, the fight-or-flight response causes changes that help people cope with a threat. People with anxiety disorders experience those physical and psychological changes even when there is no danger.” (P.28).

Anxiety is the body’s normal reaction to stressors and occurs in various degrees by everyone. It is a healthy, protective response when experienced in moderation, however, when anxiety is experienced in excess, it can become an impairment to an individual’s normal functioning. According to SAMHSA, “Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear or anxiety that is difficult to control and negatively and substantially impacts daily functioning”(2014). There are many different types of anxiety disorders ranging from Generalized Anxiety Disorder to specific phobias. The new

     Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps some one deal with a tense situation in the office, study harder for an exam, keep focused on an important speech. In general, it helps some one cope. But when anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it has become a disabling disorder.