Articles on Anxiety & Trauma

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. When we encounter a difficult or scary situation, our body and mind may respond with a stress response. When experiencing stress, you will likely recognize that you're stressed and understand what is creating the stress in your life. Symptoms of stress and anxiety can be quite similar, and many people use the term anxiety to describe their stress reactions without realizing the differences between the two. The main difference is that the stress response occurs in the presence of a real threat, and once that threat is gone, the symptoms typically dissipate. In contrast, anxiety may not always be linked to an identifiable threat. It can stem from worries and fears about events that haven't happened or are unlikely to occur. For example, someone with anxiety may excessively worry about embarrassing themselves in public, even in the absence of a real threat or a valid reason for that worry.

Anxiety can also be triggered by the fear of the sensations of anxiety and panic itself. This condition can create intense feelings of fear and the sensation that something is wrong. Experiencing a high level of anxiety or even a panic attack can be frightening, leading individuals to understandably fear those sensations reoccurring. If someone is unaware that what they are feeling is anxiety, it can intensify their fear. Many who experience a panic attack may end up in the emergency room, fearing they are having a heart attack or losing control. Despite education around anxiety and its physical manifestations, the anxiety response can be so intense that individuals struggle to believe they are experiencing anxiety rather than something more serious.

Is Anxiety Abnormal?

It's important to recognize that stress and anxiety are normal human responses designed to help us during times of threat. Ideally, if we could experience anxiety and then release those sensations, we would recover quickly. However, our thinking mind often ruminates after experiencing anxiety, repeatedly telling us that something is wrong and worrying about our well-being when the real threat has passed. With each anxious thought, the body's sensations of anxiety can be further triggered. When we focus on (and worry about) the anxiety itself, we inadvertently initiate a cycle that prolongs the stress response beyond what is appropriate for the level of perceived threat. This new pattern of worrying can increase sensitivity to anxiety triggers. As a result, the next time a perceived threat or trigger arises, the body's anxiety responses may become more pronounced and intense. This escalation can lead to such high levels of anxiety that it begins to impact daily functioning.

Symptoms

Anxiety symptoms can vary significantly among individuals and can differ in intensity. Common symptoms include:

- Fear/Discomfort

- Shortness of Breath

- Dizziness

- Heart Palpitations

- Sweating

- Shaking

- Nausea/Diarrhea

- Hot Flashes/Chills

- Feeling Detached from Oneself

- Fear of Losing Control or Hurting Someone

- Fear of Embarrassing Oneself in Public

- Fear of Heart Attack or Dying

- Intrusive Thoughts

- Ritualistic Behavior

- Emotional Upset/Anger

- Sense of Being Outside of Your Body

- Feeling Detached from Reality

Anxiety can occur on its own or alongside other mental health concerns. It is closely correlated with depression symptoms, learning disorders, ADHD, and serious health issues, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), among others.

Anxiety can manifest occasionally or frequently, and its intensity and frequency can differ among individuals. Experiencing anxiety does not always indicate the presence of a diagnosable disorder.

Why Do Some People Experience Anxiety?

The origins of anxiety are often linked to an individual's genetics, life experiences, coping strategies, and resilience to stress. You may find that your anxiety relates to a specific time in your life or a traumatic event. It can often begin in childhood or young adulthood, though this is not always the case. Sometimes, there may not be any significant event tied to one's anxiety.

Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety treatment typically includes counseling and/or medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven method for those seeking anxiety help. Additional mental health resources may include mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among others. Other treatments for anxiety can involve support groups and self-help strategies, including trauma treatment to address underlying issues.