Anxiety or Anxiety Disorder?

A nxiety is a general, unpleasant feeling of apprehension. Have you had that feeling of dread, where your body is so tense, your neck and shoulders just constantly ache, you’re lethargic and you cant be arsed to do anything? You have plans for the day, but you’re already thinking of all the possible things that could go wrong. You are not sick, in fact, you feel this way most days.

You’ve already told your self, fuck it! you’re not going!!

Calling work, telling them you’re “sick”, txt that person you were supposed to go on a date with, making up some crappy excuse why you can’t go, or I’ll do that grocery shopping tomorrow. All to crawl back onto the couch, an hour passes and you’re still just staring at that wall, mind blank, exhausted. This my friends, is just the surface of what anxiety can look like.

For me personally, my anxiety has come in waves. I remember being at work when I was still an apprentice chef, freaking out during service, not because I couldn’t handle the busy pace (In fact I preferred it), but because I was constantly dreading what was happening at home. (we’ll get into that a little later!) I would constantly be running out to the toilet, I would just sit on the seat crying and hyperventilating, then I’d finally get myself together, wash my face, then instantly feel embarrassed that I was crying at work.This would happen 2-3 times a day, 5 days a week. I never told anyone what I was going through, and no one asked. I felt alone and invisible.

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Anxiety affects over 2 million Australians in any one year! It is the leading mental health condition, with one in three women and one in five men experiencing anxiety at some point in their lives.

then why aren’t we all talking about it?

Now most people get a little stressed or worried when they need to take a test, have a job interview or going on a first date for example. Anxiety is a normal human experience, possibly some physical symptoms such as sweating, lack of concentration and headaches. Those feelings and symptoms usually pass when that task has started or is complete.

Feeling anxious is one way that our body keeps us safe from danger- the fight or flight response. In reaction to stress, the body’s sympathetic nervous system is activated with the sudden release of hormones, which prepare your body to either stay and deal with the threat or run to safety. In essence, it’s our survival mechanism. Living in a prolonged state of high alert and stress can be detrimental to your physical and mental health.

An anxiety disorder tends to be chronic, irrational and intense. You would have had to experience heightened anxious state most days for more than 6 months. This can affect daily activities and responsibilities. Feelings of distress aren’t easily controlled. Anxiety disorders include: generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, panic attacks, obsessive- compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, medication-induced anxiety disorder and post- traumatic stress disorder. Someone with an anxiety disorder could have one, two, three or all of the above at any one time.

Causes of anxiety disorder can vary from genetics, environmental stress, brain chemistry, drug withdrawal, substance abuse and medical conditions to history of other mental disorders, childhood trauma, traumatic life events and low self esteem. All of these play a role, however, it’s clear that some events, emotions or experiences may cause symptoms of anxiety to begin or to become worse. These elements are called “triggers”.

Anxiety triggers can differ from person to person. Most people find they have multiple triggers. Others have anxiety attacks for no reason at all. It is important to identify what your triggers are, and take steps in managing them.

Anxiety is very complex, it is not a one size fits all.