What Is Anxiety? Understanding the Basics and How It Connects to Suicide Risk
You can't put your finger on it. You feel like something is off. Something is wrong. The more you try to pinpoint the problem; the worse it seems to get. This is what it feels like to get anxious, and everyone has these feelings at one time or another. However, over 40 million adult Americans struggle with an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders experience that feeling that something is off, and the anxiousness only builds until it becomes debilitating. For many, these experiences are frequent or ongoing.
Anxiety is the feeling of fear or unease, and it's a normal stress response. The most common symptoms include a sense of dread with a pounding heart. However, some anxiety disorders can trigger a response from normal situations. These can include general anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and others. People with anxiety disorders might not be able to work or go out with friends, and over 20 percent of Americans with these conditions face severe symptoms and responses. The disorder also changes the landscape of their lives, making them live in a heightened state of worry that can lead to suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are identified by the feelings of excessive and persistent fear or worry when there isn't a present danger. Some of the most common ones include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Each of these has its distinct signs and symptoms.
Five key facts about anxiety disorders include:
Around the world, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge
Anxiety and depression are closely linked and often experienced in tandem
There can be a genetic component to anxiety
Many people with an anxiety disorder can trace the beginnings to childhood
Risks for health complications increase with these disorders
There are also physiological and psychological aspects to someone struggling with an anxiety disorder. Physical aspects can include an upset stomach, racing heart, headaches, and more, while psychological aspects can manifest as feeling jumpy or irritable, and always looking for signs of danger.
Common Symptoms and Signs
The earlier you can recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders in yourself or others, the better you can treat them more quickly and effectively. Here are some of the common physical and emotional signs:
Physical symptoms
Pounding heart
Sweating
Twitching
Tremors
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Upset Stomach
Frequent trips to the bathroom
Headaches
Insomnia
Fatigue
Emotional symptoms
Feelings of dread
Feelings of fear
Feeling tense
Feeling jumpy
Always watching for danger
Always fearing the worst
Irritability
Restlessness
It is possible to see the emotional symptoms more easily within yourself. However, you can also observe changes in the behavior of your family and friends. It might be the way they talk or the coping mechanisms they take.
The Connection Between Anxiety and Suicidal Thoughts
You might wonder how anxiety and suicidal thoughts might be linked. A JAVA study revealed that anxiety disorders are one of the risk factors for suicidal thoughts and ideations. So, if you're constantly in a state of dread and anxiety, it can lead to hopelessness and despair, and you might wonder if living like this is a life at all.
Chronic anxiety can also lead to depression or feelings and thoughts of suicide. If you or anyone you know expresses suicidal thoughts, you must act quickly. Take them seriously and contact a doctor or crisis hotline for immediate help.
Strategies for Managing Anxiety Disorders
Self-care and stress management techniques can help if you struggle with anxiety. You might consider some of these strategies:
Practicing mindfulness
Exercising
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Eating nutritiously
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
Listening to music
Maintaining a healthy sleep pattern
Engaging in hobbies
Aromatherapy
Social interaction
Quit smoking
However, there are times when stress management techniques aren't enough. That is why it is important to seek professional help. This might mean working one-on-one with a therapist, taking medication, and attending a support group.
Supporting Someone With Anxiety Disorders
When a friend or loved one comes to you to discuss their anxiety, you need to create a welcoming and non-judgemental environment. You want to be careful with your wording, so they don't feel attacked or like something is wrong with them.
To be supportive, you can:
Be empathetic
Listen without judgment
Encourage them to seek professional help
Validate their feelings
Go with them to therapist appointments
Plan to do something they enjoy
You should also set a schedule to visit with them. This way, you can continue your support and check on their progress. Phone calls and texts are also great ways to check in. Always ensure the other person knows you're available to help or listen.
Moving Forward: Building Resilience and Recovery
With resilience, you can adapt and turn this difficult life experience around for yourself. This adaption can help ease your anxiety and help you feel confident enough to face your fears. You can also recover and manage your feelings with a little hard work and support from your family and friends.
Managing your anxiety is a journey, and you should continue to learn more and define new ways of managing your stress and anxious feelings. When you do this, you support yourself and others who also struggle with anxiety disorders.
Head Into the Future With Support and Hope
With more understanding of the types of anxiety disorders, you can reach out for the help you need or assist a friend or family member in navigating the challenges these conditions bring. The first step in managing an anxiety disorder is understanding it and the conditions that can lead to it. You also want continuous education and open conversations about mental health to ensure that you or a loved one feels accepted when they reach out for help.
If you struggle with an anxiety disorder, reach out for support from loved ones and a professional. You can also provide support and guidance when a friend or family member seems to have moved past regular anxiety. If you or anyone you know has suicidal thoughts due to anxiety disorders or any other reason, reach out to a professional or crisis hotline.