Hey everyone, Matt here from LiftAffect. Today I want to talk about something that impacts millions of people worldwide: anxiety. It’s a big one, folks. In fact, pre-COVID stats show that anxiety tops the list of mental nervous disorders, affecting about 19% of the global population. And let me tell you, based on what I’m seeing, those numbers are going to skyrocket when the post-COVID data comes out.
It’s important to remember that feeling anxious from time to time is totally normal. We all do it. It’s when those feelings of worry or fear are excessive and persistent that we start talking about an anxiety disorder. It’s like having a storm going on inside you both physically and mentally. It impacts your ability to concentrate, messes with your sleep, and can even manifest with physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or trembling.
Believe me, I know the feeling. I struggle with sleep when I’m feeling anxious. And when anxiety starts interfering with your work, your relationships, and your overall well-being, it’s a problem.
So, How Do You Know if You Have an Anxiety Disorder?
Well, the DSM-5-TR is the current standard for diagnosing mental health conditions, and it lists several types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This is the most common type I see. People with GAD experience excessive worry about all sorts of things in their lives, and these symptoms need to be present for at least six months.
- Panic Disorder: This one involves sudden and unexpected panic attacks that feel absolutely terrifying. Imagine thinking you’re having a heart attack or suffocating out of the blue. The worst part? People with panic disorder live in fear of having another attack. I’d bet that two out of three people will experience a panic attack at some point. They are much more common than you think, even among pilots.
- Specific Phobias: These are intense fears about particular objects or situations. Think spiders, heights, flying, storms. You name it, there’s probably a phobia for it.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: This one’s all about feeling extremely anxious in social situations. People with social anxiety often worry about being judged or negatively evaluated by others.
- Agoraphobia: This is the fear of places or situations where it might be difficult to escape. It often leads to avoiding those situations altogether.
- Separation Anxiety: Most people think this is a childhood issue, but adults can have it too. It involves excessive worry about being separated from loved ones.
It’s important to understand that while the DSM-5-TR provides clear categories, anxiety can also be viewed as a continuum rather than distinct boxes. Everyone experiences anxiety to some degree, and clinical disorders just represent the extreme end. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
Treatment: There is Hope!
The good news is that anxiety disorders are very treatable. Here are a few approaches that have proven to be effective:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is the gold standard and focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Exposure Therapy: This involves gradually exposing yourself to the feared situation or object. It works wonders for specific phobias and OCD.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): I’m a big fan of this approach, which emphasizes accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and focusing on values-based actions despite the anxiety.
Medication can also be a helpful tool, but it shouldn’t be the first line of defense. Talk to your doctor, but know that meds like SSRIs and SNRIs are commonly used for anxiety and take time to be effective. Fast-acting medications like benzodiazepines can be helpful in the short term, but they carry a risk of addiction.
And don’t underestimate the power of lifestyle changes. Things like regular exercise, mindfulness, meditation, a balanced diet, and limiting caffeine and alcohol can make a big difference.
You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence
If you’re struggling with anxiety, please reach out for help. It’s the most important thing you can do. Psychotherapy is an excellent place to start, and remember that there are different approaches to find what works best for you. You’re not alone, and there’s no shame in seeking treatment.