13 things only people with anxiety will understand

Anxiety is a normal and even helpful emotion that we all experience. Sometimes, though, it can cross the line into generalised anxiety disorder. The idea that an anxiety disorder doesn’t define you is perhaps one of the hardest things to explain to people who don’t suffer from anxiety. Contrary to what some people believe, an anxious person is much more than his or her mental state. Anxiety is a mental health disorder and ought to be treated as such. Why? Dr Julia Breur, a marriage and family therapist, says untreated anxiety disorders may prevent you from “engaging in family and other social relationships, attending to work or school requirements or even enjoying normal daily activities.” If you’re curious about your mental health, these are some signs you might have an anxiety disorder.

Let’s be clear: Even though anxiety is a mental health disorder, it’s not just something that just affects your mind. Anxious feelings can manifest physically – sometimes severely. For example, Dr Breur says someone suffering from a panic attack may feel dizzy, shaky, or short of breath. Panic can be a type of anxiety or a separate disorder. Physical symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder commonly manifest as chest tightness, muscle tension, irritability, restlessness, and feeling “keyed up.”

To ease anxiety before such symptoms strike, try avoiding these foods that can actually make anxiety worse.

If you think that anxiety only affects a handful of people, think again. Globally, there are a whopping 264 million adults suffering from anxiety disorders, according to the World Health Organization. Yet since there still tends to be a stigma associated with the condition, it can be harrowing to admit that you’re a sufferer.

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“Each individual experiences anxiety in a unique way,” says Dr Breur. “What may appear to be irrational fears can truly be actual fears to the individual experiencing anxiety.” Therefore, resist the urge to think that someone with anxiety is stressing over nothing. Even very strange phobias can be very real to people, and it’s upsetting to be told their fears are ludicrous. “As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I work with individuals experiencing anxiety and fears using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where I review the patient’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours relating to their anxiety disorder.” Dr Breur adds that she also uses exposure therapy, which she says “involves exposing the target patient to the anxiety source or its context without the intention to cause any danger.”

Here are more top tricks from therapists on how to deal with anxiety.

If you have anxiety, you may also experience panic attacks. “A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes,” explains Dr Breur.  She says that several physical and cognitive symptoms may occur. Signs of a panic attack include, but aren’t limited to, heart palpitations, shaking, nausea, dizziness, and a fear of “going crazy” or dying.

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It’s not uncommon to have anxiety and also suffer from depression. In fact, experts at the Mayo Clinic say that anxiety may arise as a symptom of clinical depression. At the same time, it’s not unusual to have depression that is triggered by anxiety. “Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression,” the Mayo Clinic notes.

If you think you could be one of those people, learn the warning signs you might have high-functioning anxiety.

It’s not unusual for anxiety to strike at night. After all, when you’re trying to fall asleep, you don’t have the distractions that may have kept your focus off of certain worries. At night, you seem to have all the time in the world to explore your anxieties. Plus, stress and anxiety may cause sleeping problems or make existing problems worse. It can be a vicious cycle.

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As an anxiety sufferer, one of the most infuriating suggestions you can hear is that you ought to simply “get over” your illness. “Seeing a family member or friend experience an anxiety disorder is painful and knowing how best to respond is important,” Dr Breur says. She suggests asking, “What can I do to help you right now?” or “Would it help if I just sat next to you or nearby now?” These are just a couple of ways to learn more about a person’s needs while demonstrating that you care. Dr Breur says to refrain from saying things like “everyone experiences anxiety” and “stop worrying so much.”

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Dr Breur says that panic attacks fall under the anxiety disorder umbrella and involve a “sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.” The out-of-the-blue nature of these attacks can make it challenging, if not impossible, to predict when or how they will rear their heads. In a sense, that’s what makes suffering from this illness so difficult.

It’s true, though, that there are some everyday habits that could trigger a panic attack.

The number of people getting regular treatment for their anxiety is shockingly low when you consider the fact that it’s a common mental illness. If you suspect you’re suffering from anxiety, you might consider seeing a therapist or medical professional.