Identifying and Managing Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point: It’s a normal response when you’re faced with a stressful situation. For example, if you’re getting ready to undergo a surgical procedure or major dental work, your body’s automatic “fight or flight” mechanism may be triggered, producing hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol. These chemicals can cause a pounding heart, stomach cramps, tense muscles, and rapid breathing.
This type of acute anxiety typically resolves quickly once the stressful situation has passed. This differs from chronic anxiety, which is persistent and can last for weeks, months, and even years. Chronic anxiety, which is experienced by one out of every three women in her lifetime, can be a truly debilitating disease. It can cause problems with work, sleep, relationships, daily activities—in short, it can affect every aspect of your life.
The tipoffs to anxiety that I see in my patients (and you may see in yourself or family members) are difficulty sleeping or relaxing, a general agitation or unease, gradual isolation from friends and family or activities that used to bring pleasure, or an inability to be satisfied or happy, even if no major crises have occurred in the person’s life.
I usually advise my patients to begin targeting their anxiety symptoms by doing a few simple things. Eliminate caffeine and alcohol; these interfere with good sleep and can contribute to feelings of nervousness. Exercise regularly. It’s especially important to do cardio exercise that increases your heart rate and keeps it elevated (at least 30 minutes, three days a week). Create and preserve a good sleep regimen. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, and go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Spend several hours a day off electronic devices like your smartphone and computer; these tend to overstimulate our brains and contribute to anxiety.
If anxiety is interfering with work, family, and concentration, it is important to get professional help. Chronic anxiety is a medical condition; you can’t just “snap out of it,” and it’s not “all in your head.” Your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional—usually, a psychologist or psychiatrist—who has been trained in treating anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication can be very effective at getting you back to living a normal, productive life.
The post Identifying and Managing Anxiety appeared first on University Health News.
Read Original Article: Identifying and Managing Anxiety »
