'Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.
But some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:
panic disorder
phobias, such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
social anxiety disorder (social phobia)'
Information above is from the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/overview/
Anxiety has many faces and I think there is a high percentage of the population that suffers with it in some form. Like a lot of condtions it can vary from person to person. From I can get on with my day generally to absolutly life changing. What I find the most hard to hear is how many people say how little help they get with it. A lot of people seem to have some tablets given to them and off you pop. The follow up or lack of follow up needs to be changed, they have to start treating this like they would if you had a physical issue like an infection. Mental health is a vast subject and has many, many elements to it but things must change and simply more needs to be done. How many people need to be suffering before it is taken more seriously? The lack of support is why a lot of people find groups and friends on social media because at least that way they can speak to others in a similar position and offer each other support. It says a lot when you find out more about your condition through social media than you do going to a Dr.
Don't get me wrong I think our NHS is bloody brilliant, we simply need more services and fabulous people. I appreciate how lucky we are to have the NHS and the great work it does. I just wanted to make that clear, this is not about bashing hospitals and staff at all.
Common signs of anxiety you can look out for are:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
Having difficulty controlling worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
(Information from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961)
If you feel like this is you, maybe a loved one or friend then please do go and see a Dr. Don't not go based on someone else's experience.
The stress involved in anxiety has a big impact on your physical health, both mental and physical health are important and if either are under attack it will impact on the other. For me and the people in my life, most definetly don't pay too much attention to their mental health and maybe this is a common scenario. I would love to get through to the younger generations as early as possible to make looking after your mental health as autonomous as they do their physical health. SO MUCH emphasis is now on HOW WE LOOK and not so much HOW WE FEEL. This scares me... I have two children and I am nervous for them going through their childhood the way things are right now. I am trying to guide things as best as I can and I have to hope some of it sticks with them. If history repeats itself then I want a good, supportive, healthy and happy history to repeat itself. I tell my nine year old about the blog and why I am doing it as I want him to see that we can all do our bit and help make a difference, I see anxiety in children and it breaks my heart. There are so many effects on the body that can be caused by anxiety problems, rapid heart rate, palpitations, and chest pain and you may also be at an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Do you suffer from anxiety?
Do you know someone who does?
Would you like to share your story?
If you would like to share your story please contact me at keepmyheadstraight@gmail.com as I am after a guest blog on this subject. I would love to hear from you and it can be anonymous if you like too.
Websites for information:
Gentle hugs
Tracey x
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