subject: Why is Anxiety So Powerful? [print this page] Why is Anxiety So Powerful? Why is Anxiety So Powerful?
Anxiety can overwhelm anyone. Many people who suffer it chronically always feel a bit on edge. In some cases, this edginess may be punctuated by full-blown panic attacks that are nothing short of tormenting. Anyone who has had them knows the symptoms all too well: your heart races, your breathing speeds up, you're convinced that something awful is about to happen or has already happened. Sometimes, there will be chest pains and shortness of breath. It doesn't help the anxiety one bit that these are the exact symptoms of a heart attack, though panic attacks do not cause heart attacks on their own.
Anxiety can reduce your quality of life in myriad ways. You may find yourself constantly fretting about things you have no power over. You may not get enough sleep or wake up in a raw panic several times a night. Social situations may be so stressful that you self-isolate and spend too much time alone, thus making the problem even worse because of the lack of healthy social interaction. To understand why this is so powerful, it's sometimes useful to get an idea of when anxiety is a useful thing.
Sometimes, a bit of anxiety will give you the extra energy to study later into the night or help you to give your all to a competitive endeavor. It may provide your motivation in seeking a raise or in seeking a better job. In survival situations, it's eminently useful. With your heart already beating up a storm and your lungs pulling in all the oxygen they can, you're ready to run or fight if you're in danger. This is an ancient reaction, but it doesn't fit well with modern life. When you don't do anything about it, it can become a serious risk to your mental and physical health.
Anxiety can make you feel physically ill. Sufferers have symptoms as diverse as fears of going insane, heart palpitations, trouble swallowing and more. Anxiety is not insignificant and there's a big difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety. Healthy anxiety passes when whatever's causing it is resolved. Unhealthy anxiety stays with you. It may take many forms. You may have racing thoughts that always seem to center on some impending disaster. You may also find that you cope very poorly with disappointment and with even the most minor of challenges. There are ways to treat this disorder.
Cognitive therapy helps you to identify the thoughts that are causing your anxiety. Therapists may be able to help you identify why you're having those thoughts and, sometimes, will identify underlying issues in this way. Sometimes, you'll realize things about yourself that you didn't even know and that may be contributing heavily to your anxiety. Panic attacks can be overcome, as well, and you don't have to live in fear of them. When you're experiencing anxiety, it's easy to think that it's inevitable. With a good therapist, however, you may find that it's something that you can get beyond.
