Why Youre Nervous Anxious Stressed On Edge Or Scared For No Reason
Do you suffer from waves of anxiety often apparently for no reason at all?Do you suddenly worry about anything and everything?Does logic not even seem to come into it?Are you feeling on edge all of a sudden or even all of the time?
You might worry that, behind your back, people call you weak or strange, but I certainly dont quite the opposite in fact.
Im so glad youve landed here to discover why you suffer from those waves of anxiety for no reason. Ill also give you some effective self-help strategies.
Just in case youre not familiar with what anxiety entails, Ill cover that now. If you already know too well, scroll on
Weight Loss Supplements Can Have Anxiety
Many over-the-counter weight loss supplements come with anxiety-producing side effects. Use of St. John’s wort may lead to insomnia, and green tea extracts contain plenty of caffeine. Guarana, an ingredient in some OTC diet products, can contain up to four times as much caffeine as coffee beans. And beware of any product containing ephedra it can cause increased heart rate and anxiety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra in 2004.
Can You Prevent Panic Attacks From Happening Or Reduce The Symptoms When You’re On The Brink Of One
Our autonomic nervous system is all or nothing, meaning that if we can turn off a component of it, the entire system responds, explains Furnival. So when the sympathetic nervous system kicks into gearthis is your bodys fight-or-flight responsewe may be able to cut off the panic attacks trajectory by quickly engaging in deep breathing and grounding techniques that initiate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming you down. She recommends practicing deep breathing and reciting affirmations when youre not having a panic attack so youre primed and ready if and when the real thing happens. She also notes that trying to avoid a panic attack and being fearful of one can ironically increase its frequency . If we can engage in deep breathing and repeat phrases like, This is a panic attack and it will end soon or I am having a panic attack and I will be okay, we find that we can handle panic attacks, as awful as they are and feel.
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How Not To Diagnose The Newly Anxious
Posted June 23, 2014
Lets look at a hypothetical fellow, Jim. Jim has looked a certain way his whole life: he has been recognizably himself for as long as he or anyone can remember. If you are his mate or his friend you are pretty much certain how hell react if, say, you offer him a second beer, ask him if he wants to climb a mountain, ask him to play a board game, and so on. You know his likes and dislikes, his habits, his characteristic expressions, pretty much everything.
Jim goes away for a week and comes back different. This is a classic plot in fiction, where a character goes off for many years, say to war, and when he comes back his wife is certain that he isnt the same man but an impostor, even though he looks the same, has all the right memories and information, and can pass any test on being himself. However his wife just knows that he isnt the same man. Lets say that Jim, who has never seemed particular anxious previously, comes home highly anxious.
Lets imagine that the following ten things occurred in Jims life during the week that he was away:
1. On the flight home his plane encountered engine trouble and had to be diverted to Amarillo.
2. He started an affair with a woman half his age and half his wifes age, an affair that he would like to continue even though he feels guilty about betraying his wife.
3. He took certain street drugs for the first time.
Can Someone Suddenly Develop Anxiety
Unfortunately, anxiety can affect anyone at any time, and the often sudden onset can be disconcerting. Anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly reported mental health concerns, Kassab explains. In fact, 1 in 4 people experience an anxiety disorder at some point during their lives.
Its worth noting that anxiety can come and go suddenly, especially if its linked to a difficult event or situation. A sudden onset of anxiety can occur when something extremely stressful is happening unexpectedly, or when there is physical pain in the body, physical stress, or other kinds of severe mental stress, Saxena says.
Meanwhile, psychiatrist Jared Heathman, MD, explains that while anxiety can be triggered by certain stressful stimuli, it can also be random and equally debilitating. Either way, there are things you can do to manage an anxiety or panic attack when it starts.
Licensed clinical psychologist Aaron Weiner, Ph.D., says, Anxiety spikes are an activation of the bodys fight-or-flight system, a hardwired physiological reaction to when we think were in danger in some way. Because of that, we can anticipate some of the following symptoms of a panic attack:
- Heart palpitations or a pounding heartbeat
- Becoming hot or dizzy
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Bonus: Let The Professionals In
Sometimes your efforts are not enough to help your dogs. And thats okay. It doesnt hurt to get professional help.
There are people who trained especially to help dogs with anxiety. You might be able to find in your area a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist.
A few final words for owners with dogs suffering from anxiety.
Overcoming anxiety doesnt happen overnight. But training your dog consistently and arming yourself with patience goes a long way.
Help your dog resolve their anxiety so they can enjoy their life to the fullest.
Why Am I Anxious For No Reason
Anxiety can be caused by a variety of things: stress, genetics, brain chemistry, traumatic events, or environmental factors. Symptoms can be reduced with anti-anxiety medication. But even with medication, people may still experience some anxiety or even panic attacks. The best treatment combines medication with therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. If the anxiety is rooted in trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing may be the best course.
Anxiety usually has a triggeran event or thought that provokes an anxious response. However, most people arent aware of their triggers, and believe they have become anxious for no reason. As human beings evolved, our species developed an instinctual response to danger, known as fight, flight, or freeze. The sympathetic nervous system makes our bodies and minds react quickly when we are in danger, and we may choose to stand and fight, run away, or stay totally still as if playing dead, known as the freeze response.
Our anxiety, or fear, evolved as an alarm bell to move us into life-saving action. In our modern world, we encounter conflicts that arent actually life-threatening. But our nervous system doesnt know this, and so we can react to a variety of stimuli with the fight, flight, or freeze response, even when it is inappropriate. Add this to the fact that anxiety can also cause confusion or disassociation, and you can see why the exact causes of your anxiety are often so hard to pin down.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Panic Attack
If Id known that my Christmas Day symptoms were that of a panic attack, I wouldnt have sent myself into an even further health-anxiety spiral. Common symptoms are a pounding or racing heart sweats chills feeling faint, dizzy, or weak and shortness of breath, says Awstin Gregg, LCSW and CEO at Connections Wellness Group. Symptoms typically last 30 minutes or more, peaking at around 10 minutes. Theres also a difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack, Gregg notes. With an anxiety attack, your body is gradually beginning to worry about an upcoming situation and is anticipating a negative outcome. This may be accompanied by rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, etc. However, with a panic attack, the symptoms are sudden and more debilitating in nature, he says. Both can occur in tandem: You can feel anxious about a situation, and then sense imminent danger and experience a panic attack.
What Are Anxiety Disorders
We all have feelings of anxiety, worry and fear sometimes. These can be normal responses to certain situations. For example, you might worry about a job interview, or about paying a bill on time. These feelings can give you an awareness of risks and what you need to do in a difficult or dangerous situation. This reaction is known as fight or flight.
Your brain responds to a threat or danger by releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Even if the danger is not real, these hormones cause the physical symptoms of anxiety. Once the threatening situation has stopped, your body will usually return to normal.
But if you have an anxiety disorder these feelings of fear and danger can be ongoing and interrupt your daily routine long after the threat has gone. They can make you feel as though things are worse than they actually are.
Everyones experience of anxiety disorders is different. Not everyone who has an anxiety disorder will experience the same symptoms.
Mental symptoms of anxiety can include:
- racing thoughts,
Anxiety can lead to depression if left untreated.
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When Anxiety Is A Sign Of Something More Serious
Sometimes anxiety isn’t “all in your head” but rather a sign of a physical ailment that needs attention.
Everyone gets anxious from time to time, and usually the cause is easy to pinpoint, whether it’s a stressful job, a strained relationship, or money worries. But sometimes anxiety can be a warning sign of an underlying medical problem.
A sudden, unexplained sense of anxiety could be a signal of something amiss in the body, says Sarah Saaman, MD, a cardiologist in Plano, Texas, and author of Best Practices for a Healthy Heart. While you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder , your symptoms could also be masking another ailment: Researchers recently published a partial listing of nearly 50 illnesses that may present as anxiety.
It may not be a patients main symptom, but anxiety can still be an important tip-off, says Donnica Moore, MD, a womans health expert in Chester, New Jersey. Heres the scoop on five conditions where anxiety can act as heads-upbut don’t let this add to your anxiety! You could very well simply have chronic anxiety and nothing morebut it may be worth getting tested for these issues just in case.
Can Anxiety Lead To Panic
A panic attack can be a symptom of anxiety.
A person who has panic disorder may experience anxiety that they are going to have a panic attack. The uncertainty about if, or when, an attack is going to happen may lead to worry or anxiety between attacks. People may take steps to avoid situations they feel will trigger a panic attack.
For a person with panic disorder, anxiety may trigger a panic attack. The fear of having a panic attack can affect a persons behavior and ability to function in daily life.
Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests there may be a genetic factor underlying panic disorder, as it usually runs in families.
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What Can I Do To Stop My Anxious Feelings
While we may feel inclined to want to stop all feelings of anxiety, it is important to remember that some anxiety is normal and helpful for certain situations.
Trying to stop anxious feelings is a form of resistance and can in fact make anxiety stronger. This relates to ironic processing theory which is used to explain why it is so hard to decrease unwanted thoughts.
The theory states that when we try not to think of something, such as being anxious, this will only lead to thinking more about being anxious, which leads to more anxiety.
When we try not to think of something, one part of our mind does avoid the thought, but another part âchecks inâ every so often to make sure the thought is not coming up â therefore, ironically, bringing it to mind.
If your only strategy is to distract yourself from the anxiety or to avoid anything that may cause it, you are likely to always be afraid of it and this can contribute to the vicious cycle of anxiety. Instead, you could do some of the following to ease some of your anxiety:
Why Do You Get Anxiety At Night
Its bedtime, and not a creature is stirringexcept for your racing mind, that is. Why is it that even after a relatively anxiety-free day, our minds sometimes go into overdrive when our heads hit the pillow?
Why does it happen at night?
Anxiety is a normal human emotion characterized by feelings of nervousness and worry. You may find yourself experiencing anxiety during stressful situations, such as a first date or job interview.
Sometimes, though, anxiety may linger around for longer than usual. When this happens, it can interfere with your daily and nightly life.
One of the most common times when people experience anxiety is at night. Many clinical trials have found that sleep deprivation can be a trigger for anxiety. Historically, research also suggests anxiety disorders are associated with reduced sleep quality.
When you lie down at night to unwind, your brain turns to all of the worries it didnt have time for during the day. Frequently, this anxiety revolves around worries you cant solve in the moment.
Chronic daytime stress puts your body into overdrive and taxes your hormones and adrenal system, which are directly linked to sleep so sleep troubles may be a red flag telling you to address stress during your waking hours.
Nighttime anxiety can trigger a vicious cycle: A bad nights sleep leads to exhaustion the next day and disrupts your bodys natural rhythms.
Symptoms
Settle into your routines
- Taking a bath.
- Doing yoga stretches.
- Try these pre-sleep snacks
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Anxiety Is Not Uncommon
Anxiety is scary. It gnaws at you wherever you go, sapping the joy out of life. You could be safe at home with your family and still feel it a constant worry buzzing in the back of your mind that can grow into panic. It can make your most important tasks feel impossible. Who can work, drive a car, or care for children when they can only focus on their intense feelings of fear? Its even worse when you have no idea why youre anxious. If you cant understand it, how can you explain it to your family, friends, or co-workers? Anxiety can make you feel isolated, and no one should have to go through a scary time alone.
If youre experiencing anxiety, youve got company. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in our country, afflicting about 40 million adults a year. And although effective treatment is available, only 36.9% of sufferers are treated. People may feel embarrassed about admitting that theyre anxious. They may be dismissive of their anxiety. Or, they may not be aware that frequent anxiety is a mental health problem. But awareness of your anxiety is the first step in getting treatment for itand in understanding its causes.
Avoidance Of Anxiety Triggers
For dogs diagnosed with anxiety, know what triggers their anxiety. Then take them away from these triggers if you have to.
Avoiding anxiety triggers will reduce stress on you and your pooch.
If your dog is afraid of unfamiliar dogs, avoid the dog park. If the vacuum scares the hell out of them, then place them in a room while you vacuum the living room.
Videos abound of owners teasing their dog with the thing that scares them. Sometimes it seems like harmless fun.
But what do we know? This might have a lasting effect on the dog.
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Information For Carers Friends And Relatives
If you are a carer, friend or relative of someone who hears voices, you can get support.
How can I get support?
You can do the following.
- Speak to your GP about medication and talking therapies for yourself.
- Speak to your relatives care team about a carers assessment.
- Ask for a carers assessment from your local social services.
- Join a carers service. They are free and available in most areas.
- Join a carers support group for emotional and practical support. Or set up your own.
What is a carers assessment?A carers assessment is an assessment of the support that you need so that you can continue in your caring role. To get a carers assessment you need to contact your local authority.
How do I get support from my peers?You can get peer support through carer support services or carers groups. You can search for local groups in your area by using a search engine such as Google. Or you can contact the Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service and we will search for you.
How can I support the person I care for?
You can do the following.
- Read information about anxiety disorders.
- Ask the person you support to tell you what their symptoms are and if they have any self-management techniques that you could help them with.
- Encourage them to see a GP if you are worried about their mental health.
- Ask to see a copy of their care plan, if they have one. They should have a care plan if they are supported by a care coordinator.
- Help them to manage their finances.
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