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Mental Mondays: What Are The Types Of Anxiety And How To Overcome Them

Mental Mondays: What Are The Types Of Anxiety And How To Overcome Them

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nxiety is a feeling that many of us experience at some point in our lives. It is a feeling of worry or unease about something with an uncertain outcome and can be brought on by various situations or circumstances. You might feel anxious about an upcoming event, a difficult conversation, or even just the general state of the world. Whatever the cause, anxiety can be an overwhelming and uncomfortable experience.

When you’re anxious, it may seem like your mind is racing and you can’t focus on anything else. You might feel your heart rate increasing, your palms getting sweaty, and your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. It’s a physical and emotional response that can leave you exhausted, irritable, and unable to cope with daily life.

One way to think about anxiety is as a form of fear. Your brain is perceiving a potential threat, and it’s preparing your body to respond. This is the fight-or-flight response you might have heard about before. Your body is getting ready to either face the threat head-on or run away from it. But sometimes, the threat isn’t physical or immediate, and your body’s response can be more of a hindrance than a support.

Anxiety can manifest in many ways, depending on the person and situation. Some people experience social anxiety, where they feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations. Others might experience panic attacks which can be a terrifying and overwhelming experience that often feels like a heart attack or loss of control. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic form of anxiety where someone feels anxious most of the time without a specific trigger.

Whatever form it takes, anxiety can be incredibly difficult to deal with. It can make you feel alone and as though no one else understands what you’re going through. But the truth is: anxiety is common. It’s estimated that around 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience anxiety each year. So if you’re feeling anxious, know that you’re not alone.

Check out the different types of anxiety and how to overcome them…

#1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

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This is a type of anxiety characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things, including work, school, health, finances, and relationships. People with GAD often find it difficult to control their worrying and may experience physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, and irritability.

To overcome GAD, it’s important to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and yoga. These techniques can help reduce muscle tension and promote a sense of calm. It’s also helpful to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs and focus on the present moment, rather than worrying about the future.

#2. Panic disorder

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This form of anxiety is characterized by sudden and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are intense and often include physical symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. People with panic disorder may avoid situations that they associate with panic attacks, which can lead to social isolation and other problems.

To overcome this condition, it’s important to learn coping techniques for managing panic attacks, such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, and visualization. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can also be helpful as it can help identify and challenge the negative thoughts and beliefs that trigger panic attacks.

#3. Social Anxiety Disorder

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Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by intense fear and anxiety in social situations. People with this condition may avoid social situations or experience physical symptoms such as blushing, dry mouth, sweating, and trembling when faced with social situations.

To conquer this, it’s important to practice exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing yourself to the situations that you fear. This can desensitize you to fear and anxiety, and teach you that you can cope with social situations. It’s also helpful to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself and others and to practice relaxation techniques to help manage physical symptoms.

#4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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This type of anxiety is distinguished by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD may feel compelled to perform certain rituals or behaviors in response to their obsessions, such as repeatedly washing their hands or checking the stove.

To overcome OCD, it’s necessary to learn cognitive behavioral techniques that can challenge the negative thoughts and beliefs that drive obsessions and compulsions. Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is a type of CBT that can be particularly effective for OCD as it involves gradually exposing the person to their feared situations and teaching them coping strategies to manage anxiety.

See general strategies to manage anxiety

mental-mondays-types-of-anxiety-and-ways-to-overcome-them
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In addition to the aforementioned specific techniques for each type of anxiety, there are also general strategies that can help manage anxiety. These include:

  • Exercise: Regular physical activity can reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
  • Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness reduces the effect of any type of anxiety by promoting awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
  • Self-care: Engaging in activities that you enjoy and taking care of your physical and emotional needs can help to reduce stress and promote resilience.
  • Social support: Connecting with friends, family, or therapists can provide emotional support and help you feel less alone in your struggles with anxiety.

Featured image: Ponomariova_Maria/iStock


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