Ever experienced one or more of these feelings, some of which have become habits that are hard to beat?
- A feeling that you might have forgotten to turn off an appliance before leaving the house.
- A feeling that you might have left something behind on the last place you’ve been.
- The bothersome thought that you might have annoyed someone whom is the least person you want to displease.
These feelings can bring about panic/anxiety in a person. All of us have somehow experienced anxiety one way or the other, in more instances than one, and at different levels. These experiences make us all familiar with what anxiety is. Aside from what we know about it, there could be some facts about anxiety we may not be familiar or aware of.
Simply put, anxiety is the feeling of uneasiness, discomfort, or fear of what may eventually happen resulting from perceived, real, or imagined threat or condition. Panic attacks, on the other hand, are actually heightened anxiety.
Two distinct symptoms become obvious during a panic or anxiety attack: physical and emotional.
Physical Symptoms include:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Cold or sweaty hands
- Shaking or trembling body parts
- Rapid heartbeat
.
- Restlessness
- Body pains or aches
- Insomnia
Emotional Symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Inability to focus on the task at hand
- Frequent feelings of sadness
- Feeling edgy
- Disturbed composure
Given the choice, we would rather avoid facing an impending threat or undesirable situation we foresee. However, if we are left with no other option but to face the circumstances, we might as well be prepared for it and face it with confidence.
Not all anxiety feelings are caused by things we hate happening to us. One example is graduating top in class, and a valedictorian address needs to be delivered during the commencement exercise. Just the thought of speaking in front of an audience may bring about anxiety. The worst scenario that could happen is getting tongue-tied and this could bring about a panic attack. It’s a mixed feeling of positive and slightly negative anxiety. Before the speech, nervousness engulfs the speaker. After the speech, the feeling of relief starts to turn to pride for having graduated no. 1 in class.
In spite of the negative impression we have for anxiety, it is by no means dangerous. Some of us may think that anxiety may result to life threatening health conditions. This is a myth and a false perception. Symptoms like butterflies in the stomach and clammy palms that occur when we get anxious are pretty normal.
However, panic attack is a more serious concern. It can sometimes result to blurred vision, dizziness, and a tight chest that leads to difficulty in breathing. One might misinterpret this as a stroke. The thought of having a stroke might make the anxiety-prone person think that he has a life threatening condition; thereby aggravating the situation.
To dispel this notion, it is best to consult a physician and have regular medical check-ups. This is the best way to segregate anxiety from a serious illness.
When we are confronted with a thought of an impending danger, real or imagined, we have one of two choices: either confront it or run away from it. This is better known as the fight/flight response. If we have to face it, we must be brave enough to do so.
The feeling of anxiety is actually a defensive inherent feeling that protects us from possible danger. It’s not the “bad guy” that we usually think it is, but rather a protective shield or response that does not harm us physically.
