It’s absolutely normal if you feel nervous on occasions, whether you’re sweating while giving an exam paper or have to speak in front of the Dean – we get it. But what’s not okay is when your constant worrying starts taking over the minutest details of your life and controls you – that’s what “anxiety” does. But how do you know if your “anxiety” has crossed the line and tilted towards being labeled as a disorder?
Anxiety emanates in various forms; phobias, panic attacks and social disorders, so it’s essential to identify what is triggering a condition that you didn’t know you had.
STRESS
Stress plays a major role in triggering anxiety, may it be personal, professional or financial. Every stressful moment in your life can lead up to a stage of uncontrollable fear, which can later affect your life.
SELF-DOUBT
Constantly second-guessing yourself all the time is a sign of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and even OCD, which relates more to a question that literally has no answer.
PERFECTION AND COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
Perfection goes hand in hand with anxiety. When you are constantly judging yourself over something that you could have done better or have anticipatory feelings of making mistakes, is usually associated with compulsive behavior. What they end up doing is repeating the entire process all over again.
SOCIAL MEDIA & SMART PHONES
Loneliness is reciprocal to social anxiety, and in social anxiety a person is fearful of social situations, so social media has much to contribute to anxiety. Not receiving the desired response, the eagerness to be online all the time, the feeling of persistent worry when your phone is not charged and unable to log in, are a few proved major factors that trigger anxiety.
HEALTH
Poor eating habits, dramatic weight gain or weight loss can also contribute to instigating anxiety. So what do you do? You try to aim and achieve to have a balanced lifestyle.
PHOBIAS
Phobias provoke panic attacks in people if they don’t learn to deal with it as soon as they pick it up. These are characterized by major anxiety when you’re exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it.
TRAUMA
Labeled as PTSD, an incident that occurred in the past and has gravely affected you can also cause anxiety, because you cannot stop thinking about it, and even if you do, it can surface unannounced, to haunt you in the form of a panic attack.
DRUGS & ALCOHOL
Substance-induced anxiety is triggered when you’re taking drugs or drinking alcohol, or even misusing prescribed medication. It’s like being exposed to a toxic substance or withdrawal from drugs.
HOW TO MANAGE ANXIETY
Although nobody can take away how you feel, and you may think that it’s the end of the world, but there are several ways how you can learn to control yourself when you’re falling apart.
- Cut back on caffeinated and carbonated drinks because these are mood-altering drinks that worsen your anxiety
- Learn a few breathing exercises like taking deep breaths
- Eat right, on time and workout regularly
- Take regular sleep by making bedtime your priority
- Try to worry less and spend time with, and around people who make you happy
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY “I NEED HELP”
- Counseling – therapy can be useful, so just let out, scream or cry and just do what you think is going to ease you without worrying what others might think
