© Shutterstock

Introducing anxiety -

When it comes to anxiety, a little is completely normal. In fact, anxiety is a very natural response to many different situations we may find ourselves in.

© Shutterstock

Natural response - For instance, anxiety is one of the ways our body alerts us to danger and warn us to either fight back or remove ourselves from a dangerous situation.

© Shutterstock

Helpful anxiety -

A healthy amount of anxiety can even be helpful in certain situations. It can serve as motivation to prepare properly for an exam, for example.

© Shutterstock

Anxiety disorders -

However, when anxiety becomes uncontrollable or it gets in the way of doing things, it might be time to consider whether an anxiety disorder is at play.

© Shutterstock

General anxiety disorder (GAD) -

There are several different anxiety disorders. General anxiety disorder (GAD) looks a lot like normal anxiety at first but is characterized by constant and crippling worry.

© Shutterstock

Panic disorder - Panic disorder occurs when someone experiences recurring and unexpected panic attacks, often without there being an obvious cause.

© Shutterstock

Specific phobias -

Specific phobias occur when someone has an excessive and irrational fear of something specific. It could be a certain place, situation, or object.

© Shutterstock

Social anxiety disorder -

Social anxiety disorder, otherwise known as social phobia, is when someone experiences anxiety and/or fear specifically in social settings.

© Shutterstock

Separation anxiety disorder -

Separation anxiety disorder occurs when a child is separated from their parents or caregivers. It is a perfectly normal stage of a child’s development.

© Shutterstock

Agoraphobia - Finally, agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that causes people to avoid places and situations that might make them feel trapped, helpless, or panicked (among other emotions).

© Shutterstock

Telling the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder - It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder, so here are some characteristics that help to define both.

© iStock

Normal anxiety -

Normal anxiety tends to be related to a specific situation or problem, and it only lasts for as long as that situation or problem lasts.

© iStock

Proportional and realistic - Normal anxiety also tends to be a proportional and realistic response to the situation or problem at hand.

© iStock

Anxiety disorder - In a person with an anxiety disorder, by contrast, anxiety may occur unexpectedly. It might come out of nowhere, appear for seemingly no reason.

© iStock

Extreme reactions -

When someone is suffering from an anxiety disorder, they may also react to a certain situation or problem in a much stronger or dramatic way than you might expect.

© Shutterstock

Unrealistic anxiety -

Someone with an anxiety disorder may also experience a lot of unrealistic anxiety, such as fear of a situation that has never happened and is very unlikely to ever happen.

© Shutterstock

Long-lasting anxiety - Anxiety disorders are also characterized by anxiety that lasts for a very long time, sometimes even after the original situation or problem that triggered the anxiety is resolved.

© Shutterstock

Uncontrollable - Finally, people with an anxiety disorder may feel their anxiety is impossible to control, and they may avoid situations or things that they believe trigger their symptoms.

© Shutterstock

Example -

To illustrate the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder, imagine a person that does not like flying (which is very common).

© Shutterstock

Normal anxiety -

If that person is asked to travel for work, normal anxiety will not stop them from traveling to the airport and boarding a plane.

© Shutterstock

Anxiety disorder - If, however, the person suffers from an anxiety disorder, they may not be able to go to the airport and get on the flight, even if it means losing their job.

© Shutterstock

Anxiety disorder - If a person has anxiety that prevents them from going about their daily life, they could well be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

© Shutterstock

When to seek help -

If you or someone you know has anxiety that is interfering with everyday life, it may be time to seek attention from a doctor or healthcare professional.

© Shutterstock

Seeking help -

Rest assured: there are plenty of ways to manage anxiety, and there is no reason for anyone to suffer through it alone.

© Shutterstock

Treatment -

If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder after speaking to a professional, you may be prescribed treatment.

© Shutterstock

Therapy -

Treatment for anxiety disorders can include psychotherapy, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as antidepressants or beta-blockers.

© Shutterstock

Other treatments -

Your doctor or healthcare professional may also recommend that you attend a support group and/or practice some stress management techniques.

© Shutterstock 

Lifestyle changes -

Then there are the other, complementary techniques that may be used alongside treatment and/or medication.

© Shutterstock

Lifestyle changes -

Your doctor or healthcare professional may advise you to regularly exercise, meditate, and/or make dietary changes.

© Shutterstock

In summary -

Living with an anxiety disorder can be very difficult and feel suffocating at times. But by raising awareness and sharing resources, we can hope to help those most affected.

Sources: (Healthline) (Here to Help)

See also: The most common things that cause anxiety

© iStock