What is Anxiety?
Anxiety refers to a combination of feelings of fear, stress, and being overwhelmed. Often associated with insomnia and feelings of fear, it is due primarily to aggravation of Vata dosha in the nervous system. To properly treat anxiety, one must balance Vata. Anxiety attacks are when a person quickly begins to feel fear for no apparent reason. For the first few times, these panic attacks are difficult to recognize. However, the more anxiety attacks a person has the more aware they become.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Typical: Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:
- Avoid people or things that trigger worry
- Elevated heart rate
- Feeling impending danger
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Hyperventilating
- Lack of sleep
- Nervousness, restlessness, and tension
- Struggling to concentrate
- Tiredness or weakness
- Trembling and sweating
What are the Causes of Anxiety?
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems (like hyperthyroidism)
- Respiratory disorders (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma)
- Drug misuse or withdrawal
- Withdrawal from alcohol, or anti-anxiety medications, or other medications
- Chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome
- Rare tumors that produce certain fight-or-flight hormones
When to see a Doctor?
- Your relationships, work abilities, or daily life is negatively affected by how much you worry
- You struggle mustering the energy to complete daily tasks, struggle with drug and alcohol usage, or have mental health issues that are overwhelming or controlling your choices
- Your anxiety can have a connection with your physical health problems
- If you have made a plan to commit suicide or have considered it, please get treatment immediately
If your worries do not go away on their own, don’t wait to seek help because it’s easier for you to get better if you seek help early. Find a mental health professional and seek treatment before any permanent damage is done because of your anxiety
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Anxiety
- Get Help Early: Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, will likely be harder to treat if you wait. Please seek help early if you may think you have anxiety.
- Stay Active: Do activities that you enjoy and make you feel better about yourself. Focus on meaningful relationships, especially those that lessen your worries.
- Avoid Drugs and Alcohol: Consuming alcohol and drugs may create problems that worsen your anxiety. If you’re addicted to any of these substances, quitting may increase your anxiety. If you can’t stop on your own, see your doctor or find a support group to help you.