Anxiety is a mental health condition that impacts 40 million adults in the United States each year. This number is staggering, and it still likely under-represents how many individuals have anxiety disorders due to the stigma around mental illness.
The way anxiety manifests looks different for each person, and there are both obvious and subtle symptoms of anxiety that can be used to recognize it.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are those that involve an overwhelming and uncontrollable sense of fear, doom, panic, and worry. These often co-occur with other mental illnesses, such as depression and substance use disorder (SUD).
While a bit of anxiety is a normal part of everyday life, there comes a point when persistent and consistent anxiety becomes a cause for concern and requires evidence-based and holistic treatment.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety many individuals experience can include:
- Racing heart
- Irritability
- Inability to rest
- A sense of impending doom
- Increased body temperature
- Tingling body parts
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping
This is not an exhaustive list, but there are a few common experiences individuals struggling with anxiety live with.
There are also many symptoms of anxiety that can stem from the symptoms listed above but are often more subtle and go unrecognized.
Lesser-Known Signs of Anxiety
While anxiety most often presents with the physical sensation mentioned above, it can also show up as:
- Canceling plans last minute
- Avoiding situations that cause anxiety
- Feeling like one has done something wrong
- Procrastination
- Comparison
- Perfectionism
- Difficulty going with the flow
- Distracting oneself in unhealthy ways
What anxiety means, looks, and feels like for each person struggling is different. Healing from anxiety starts with cultivating awareness around what anxiety is like for an individual, in both the ways it makes them feel and the actions they take because of those feelings.
Experiencing anxiety can be isolating, and reaching out for support from a treatment team who has the tools to help is a radical act of self-care. Learning more about the condition of anxiety, expanding awareness around what it is like, and learning new ways to cope that reduce symptoms rather than increase them are the results of investing in treatment and healing.
Anxiety shows up in both overt and covert ways. Although anxiety can be a debilitating aspect of everyday life, healing is possible through evidence-based and holistic treatment. At Avalon Malibu, we have the tools to guide you through your healing journey and reach your goals. By identifying what anxiety is like for you and how it impacts your everyday life, our team can support you and help you achieve healing. If you or a loved one experiences anxiety, depression, or addiction, Avalon Malibu can help. Call (844) 857-5992.Â
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