Everyone has anxiety. However, not everyone experiences anxiety on such an extreme level that it prohibits them from functioning in daily life. When this happens often and reoccuringly, one is suffering from an anxiety disorder.
The reason is seems as though all of your friends, family, and people you see on social media seem to be anxious is because a roughly estimated 40 million people in the United States alone have an anxiety disorder and it is the most common mental illness. Although, like many mental illnesses, the symptoms and extremity of the disorder can vary from person to person. Overall though, anxiety disorders consist of consistent feelings of worry in non-threatening situations.
As mentioned, not every disorder is the same. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Social Anxiety are amongst the most popular forms of anxiety mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders are treatable, but only one-third of those with disorders ever receive treatment. The known leading causes of anxiety can include genetics, life traumas, personality, and brain chemistry.
Living with a true anxiety disorder will prohibit you from performing mundane and non-mundane tasks in daily life. Every individual experiences common nervousness when going through change in their usual routine; public speaking, job interviews, and worry over finances are all common causes of normal anxiousness. However, when one is experiencing anxiety and cannot function per usual, there may be a disorder present.
For example, someone with Social Anxiety will go out of their way to cancel plans or show up hours early to an event in worrisome fear that they will experience a worst-case scenario. Someone suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder may experience a physical symptom of sweating, racing pulse, and paranoia from simply sitting.
Anxiety disorders can be directly linked to physical illness as well. In many cases, anxiety can be linked to ailments like gastrointestinal problems, respiratory problems, and make the body more susceptible to diseases. Luckily, steps can be taken to prevent and manage anxiety disorders that are prohibiting a good quality of life, like therapies prescribed medication, and coping strategies.
One of the most important things about living with an anxiety disorder is understanding and accepting the reality of it. Living with anxiety is not easy, but there should be action taken if you are concerned for your own well being and cannot function like you should. It is important to surround yourself with those who understand anxiety is a real disorder that is an inconvenience to your mental and physical health. It is still possible to be a strong, brave, outgoing individual while suffering from an anxiety disorder.
