One thing I want to do this year? I want to make talking about mental health issues easier. Right now, there’s so much secrecy, and shame, associated with mental health “stuff.” We should be able to discuss these topics just as easily as any other health issue.
Everyone who struggles with a mental health challenge, has to deal with unsolicited advice from people who just don’t understand. People will tell them to “calm down”, “don’t get yourself so worked up”, or “stop worrying so much.” The problem with anxiety is that it is more than just worrying or getting upset easily. This well-meant advice is insulting to people working their way through a real problem. You see, if it were as easy as just not worrying, wouldn’t the obvious answer be to stop, and resolve the problem?
Advice like this has the effect of isolating people who could really use the support. Anxiety is not just a person being a worrywart, it’s bigger than that.
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, or ADAA , defines anxiety as an “excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations.” Irrational and excessive are the key words here. Anxiety can be debilitating for the people who deal with it on a daily basis, even interfering with their ability to leave the house. Some people with anxiety have panic attacks. Nobody voluntarily worries themselves into a panic attack. If you’ve ever experienced the racing heart, sweating, and terror associated with them, you know exactly what I mean. An anxiety attack can begin as something small, a call that upsets you for instance. You begin to ruminate, thinking “I should have said THIS instead, this is just like the time that I XYZ” and you begin to think of all the things that could happen. Your mind presents all the worst case scenarios to you; you go from having a slight disagreement, to the relationship being ruined. You throw out the baby, the bathwater, and the bathtub, when you’re having a bad day with anxiety. Nobody is actively choosing this.
What can you do to stop it? Life is full of triggers, small upsets, that go on in the course of a normal day. Your responsibility to yourself, if you suffer from anxiety, is to identify these triggers and learn how to stop yourself from encountering them, or learn how to cope, when you do. Some conventional wisdom can help you with milder cases of anxiety: get lots of rest, exercise, and eat a balanced diet. Those are the building blocks of good health.
What about when anxiety is taking over your life though? Here’s how you can tell: is your pervasive worry affecting your ability to work, go to school, or take care of yourself? If so, it is time to take steps towards managing your anxiety differently. Start with your family doctor and tell them what you’re going through. If necessary, they can refer you to a counselor/therapist. They may prescribe medication for you.
Anxiety is a normal part of life for everyone, but everyone does not have an anxiety disorder. It is imperative that we all know the difference, and that we learn how to manage anxiety, before it takes over our lives. Anxiety is bigger than worry.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, I struggle with anxiety. I’m learning how to recognize my triggers, and following my doctor’s advice.
If you suffer with anxiety issues, please know you are not alone.
