Anxiety is a part of stress and stress is a part of life. Though our mainstream health culture focuses on reducing stress and eliminating stress as much as possible, it has to be recognized that stress is a natural part of human DNA. The fight or flight system exists to protect us from danger and a threat to our lives. When there were giant predators as our constant threat, this stress system was effective. Today, our threats are significantly less. Rarely are we being hunted down by a large animal. We do have dangers today, very real things to be afraid of. However, too often, the stress system becomes disordered, causing us to feel more threatened, more afraid, and more hyper-prepared to take action than we need to be. Such a state can be the result of trauma, causing an anxiety disorder, or it can be the result of a preexisting anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders include a number of mental health disorders that affect the mind, the body, and the spirit. Learning to live with anxiety disorders is possible by seeking treatment and engaging in therapeutic activities that create focus, calm, and mindfulness while also relaxing the body. Trauma is often the root of anxious thinking and disordered anxiety. Recognizing the source of trauma and the patterns attached to trauma can help you break through your anxiety and start to live in a recovering state of mind.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Generalized anxiety disorder has no distinct characterization or circumstance as compared to social anxiety disorder. People who have generalized anxiety disorder live to the name- they are generally anxious. Anxiety manifests in a number of ways from anxious thoughts to feeling restless and irritable.Social Anxiety Disorder: Social anxiety disorder can be debilitating and isolating when it goes too long without being treated. Fears of judgment and rejection are primary in social anxiety disorder. People tend to feel social anxiety in groups, communities, public speaking, at work, and other social interactions.Panic Disorder: There are distinct differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. Panic disorder is characterized by chronic experience of panic attacks, in which one can feel like they are losing their mind or about to lose their life.
Also Included in Anxiety Disorders:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a complex condition of the brain and the body centering around a significant traumatic event in one’s life.Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Obsessive compulsive disorder can be a coping mechanism for trauma as the mind becomes obsessed with certain rituals and behaviors to deal with intrusive thoughts.