Picture this: you step into your local supermarket with your mother to buy groceries. She asks you to stay put in this aisle because she needs to find this brand of laundry detergent in another aisle.
So your mom left, but then suddenly you start to feel chills down your spine and your hands start to shake. You’re wondering why you suddenly feel this way and you realize you are getting anxious.
When she returns, she looks at you and asks, “Are you okay?” And you didn’t respond because you don’t know what’s happening to you.
Guess what? You may have a bad case of anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a state of feeling “apprehension, extreme nervousness, fear, and worry”. It happens to many people, so you’re not really a unique case if that’s what you’re feeling.
However, a patient with anxiety isn’t concerned about being unique. You just want the anxiety to go away, but unfortunately, you cannot wish away anxiety just like that. You want a way to treat anxiety naturally.
Reasons for Developing Anxiety
People have different reasons for developing a clear case of anxiety. Usually, it is caused by a traumatizing event such as the death of a loved one, or a dangerous event such as being mugged by an attacker with a gun.
The anxiety develops because the patient associates a “trigger” with the trauma. You cannot defend yourself in that situation, so when you sense that you are in a similar situation (in the presence of the “trigger”), your anxiety symptoms develop.
What Makes a Person More Prone to Anxiety?
Unfortunately, some people are more susceptible to anxiety attacks than others. There are risk factors for this: such as genetics, work-related stress, trouble in the community that the patient resides in, and lack of a strong support group (like family and friends).
If this sounds like you, then you may want to observe yourself closely to see what triggers are present around you. Only then can you seek help for your symptoms.
Tips For Controlling Anxiety When You Experience It
When times are good and it is possible for the patient to seek medical attention, then well and good. But when times turn bad and it isn’t easy to get medical help then anxiety really becomes a major problem.
Getting help for anxiety requires assistance from loved ones like family and friends at that stage. A close friend might know where to get free psychotherapy for the patient while a relative might be willing to drive the patient to the clinic for the session.
The first concern of a patient should be controlling the anxiety somehow. This is the priority. But how are you going to do that? Here are the tips for you to follow:
- Take Deep Breaths at a Time. One way to control the symptoms could be deep breathing. Taking long breaths and slowly releasing the breath will help you feel more relaxed and ease the tightening of your muscles. You should do this for a prolonged period until you feel better.
- Identify the Trigger. You should also try to identify the “trigger” so that the concerned people around you will be able to keep you away from the trigger. This will help you feel less threatened and may allow the anxiety symptoms to go away.
- Seek Help of the Health Professionals. The good news is that help is available for patients with anxiety. Medical treatment may come in the form of psychotherapy and medication.
- Join a Support Group. If you lack a strong support group, your doctor may be able to recommend a support group in your location that is focused on assisting anxiety patients.
- Ask for Financial Assistance for Your Therapies. If you lack sufficient funds to seek those kinds of therapy, it may be possible to seek help from your local government representatives – perhaps even secure financial assistance.
- Look for a Relaxing Activity. One form of therapy that is very useful for anxiety patients is yoga, mainly because it helps anxious patients relax and be soothed during the session. You can ask around for a yoga session in your community or perhaps just go to YouTube to download yoga videos. You can try the beginner sessions at the start and progress to the more complex positions later on.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to be a slave to anxiety. Even though the symptoms may seem too strong for you to handle, the truth is you can manage your anxiety. Seek help when necessary and try to keep a positive outlook about your disorder.
In time, you will be able to survive and thrive despite the anxiety condition you have – then you will live a happier and healthier life.
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