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Understanding Anxiety

Updated: Jan 8, 2022


Credits to Bernard


Nowadays, as we grow older, we start becoming self-aware of our mental health. Many people are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, OCD and more. One of the most common conditions we tend to hear of is anxiety. But what is it exactly? Well, anxiety is similar to stress. But while stress is a temporary feeling to situations, anxiety is a lingering fear. So if you were to experience anxiety, you'd be in a continuous state of worry where for some, it's even hard to go through their day.


According to CalmClinic, three aspects may be affected by anxiety disorders which are emotional, physical and behavioural aspects. Firstly, the emotional factor would affect you mentally and emotionally, causing you to acquire a pessimistic way of thinking at times. This factor could be a reason why anxiety is often the cause of depression, for some. Secondly, the physical aspect of anxiety refers to symptoms experienced by the body. Some of these signs include sweating, an increased heart rate, the trouble in holding your head up to name a few. And thirdly, the behavioural part in this would affect a person's, well, behaviour. This aspect can bring about certain impulses and habits that affect someone's daily performances. Such as the burgeoning need to complete a task to reduce someone's anxiety.


It is reported by EasyUniversity, that Malaysian teens ranging from ages 13 to 18 are suffering from health problems. Statistics have shown the average number of suicidal ideation and plans are higher for girls compared to boys. Whereas, for suicidal attempts, the average number of boys is more elevated than girls. The survey has stated that family problems are the cause of mental health issues. Many other factors have caused mental health issues such as a harsh parenting style and pressure, to name a few. There are several signs to notice when a person could be going through a mental health condition. For example, the constant feeling of sadness, prevalent mood swings, changes in eating habits and persistent feelings of guilt are symptoms to look out for.


There is a silver lining in this, though. Healthline suggests, if you are anxious about something in the future, then question your thought pattern by challenging your fears and asking if they are real. Even some brisk walking or yoga also helps to relieve anxiety. Another way to help calm yourself down is to write out your thoughts on what makes you feel that way and to understand your emotions better. Try your best to keep your body and mind healthy. Another way to deal with anxiety is to consult a therapist; there is no shame in seeking professional help!


As revealed by HelpGuide, there are few ways to treat anxiety disorder with therapy. CBT, which stands for Cognitive Behavioural Treatment, is split into two types of treatment. Namely cognitive and behavioural therapy. Cognitive treatment is to see how negative thoughts contribute to anxiety. Behavioural therapy inspects on how you react to a situation that triggers anxiety. CBT is not the situation that determines what you feel, but it relies on your perception of it. It also depends on your expectations, beliefs and thoughts. If you change the way you think, you will be able to see things differently.


These are some of the ways to understand anxiety better and how it affects people. While it may be challenging for those who experience anxiety, know that there are resources out there to help alleviate the symptoms and people willing to help.


Do check https://www.asbestos.com/support/mental-health/ out for more valuable information; a medical article regarding cancer patients that are dealing with mental health issues.


By Adrian Joel



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