First of all anxiety is not an illness. Although it is often called a disorder, it is better to think of it as a state.
If you get anxious before an exam, a driving test or before speaking in public you have the symptoms of anxiety. You are in an anxiety state. We accept this as a normal state.
If however you have anxiety symptoms for no reason for a longer period of time you now have a problem as you’re suffering from anxiety.
You are in an anxiety state.
But your states are always changing. Tired to energetic, happy to sad, calm to restless.
You are not your states. You are much more than your states.
You are not your anxiety.
It is just an anxiety state that can pass quickly by applying the right knowledge and techniques.
Let’s look at the different types of anxiety states with the labels, which have been given to them.
General anxiety disorder – feeling anxious and worrying about lots of different situations rather than just one thing. It can be mild (worrying) or severe (more anxiety symptoms) and lasts for a longer period of time (weeks, months, years).
Anxiety/panic attack symptoms are on the extreme end of anxiety symptoms. They are equal to someone having a strong phobic reaction.
Here is a list of symptoms: overwhelming panic, palpitations, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, a choking feeling, chest pain, nausea, shaking.
These symptoms are absolutely horrible. They feel dreadful, they feel as if things could not be any worse. However, as bad as they feel they cannot harm you. They pass within a short period of time (up to 20 minutes). You will not pass out, have a heart attack, go mad or lose control.
A phobia is an extreme anxiety response which is triggered by
An object e.g; a spider
Or a situation e.g; Flying , going in a lift.
The phobia reaction can even be triggered by just the thought of the object….or the situation.
There is also Agoraphobia, which isn’t really a phobia like the examples above.
Agoraphobia is a more complicated condition,
Agoraphobia literally means ‘a fear of open spaces.’ It can be triggered by leaving home to go out in the open.
But it can also be triggered by being unable to escape from a situation eg. Being in a cinema or going on public transport.
Agoraphobia usually is closely linked to panic attacks.
Sufferers experience the symptoms of panic attacks but they also experience the apprehension that they might have a panic attack
again so avoid certain situations, retreating to the safety of home.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious anxiety related condition.
OCD sufferers have repeated unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours which they feel compelled to carry out (compulsions), or a mixture of both.
Obsessive thinking
When we are suffering from anxiety, there is a tendency to worry about different things.
Very often, our minds can get stuck on one particular thing, replaying it again.
This obsessive thinking is like a very extreme form of worrying.
Underneath the obsessive thinking is anxiety.
Obsessing is often based on reality – but blown out of proportion e.g. worry over losing a job, or a partner leaving us.
This extreme worry is not helpful in any way and can cause great suffering.
Very severe anxiety state – Very severe anxiety state – best book
A nervously exhausted mind can have bewildering, more complicated anxiety symptoms, which are particularly frightening – Very severe anxiety state – best book