Please, let me off this ride!
“Anxiety can paralyze a person, make them physically ill, can cause ailments that no one can see but that doesn’t mean it’s not real.” ~Unknown
Anxiety, we have all felt its icy cold grip on us at one time or another throughout our lives. Some of you may recall a time when you were called upon to perform a task outside your comfort zone and those little butterflies where just swirling away in the pit of your stomach, that is anxiety. For most Americans, these little blips of anxiety come and then more importantly, they go. For over forty million Americans, that feeling of anxiety stays and at times grows stronger. Anxiety and anxiety related disorders are the leading cause of mental health issues in the U.S. according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. According to the ADAA, most anxiety issues are very treatable but only about one in three seek treatment for their anxiety. The root cause for a person’s anxiety varies as it can develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
Anxiety is very prolific in our society and it manifests itself in many different ways, think of these add on issues as tagging along with anxiety to compound and deepen the feelings felt by the individual. These additional co-sponsorees with anxiety include but are not limited to Depression, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Eating Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Pain Disorders, and a whole host of phobias…the list goes on and on. No one is immune from the suffering of anxiety as it affects men, women and children of all races and eco-socio backgrounds. Anxiety tends to be more prevalent in women than in men but this could be due to the fact that men are less likely to seek help with or accept the possibility that they suffer from this illness. One other odd thing about people suffering from anxiety is that there have been studies done that have shown that individuals with higher intelligence quotients tend to suffer more from anxiety than those with lower IQ’s. People who suffer from anxiety, not surprisingly, also have a shorter life expectancy than those who do not suffer from added stress and worry. Studies have shown that anxiety sufferers have a shorter lifespan by up to six years though the National Institute of Mental Health puts that number between 14 and 36 years (but they are including all mental health issues). Ok, what does it all mean?
For a better quality of life, it is recommended that those who suffer from anxiety to GET HELP! Anxiety is very treatable and many times is a matter of seeking a professional, qualified therapist who will help guide the individual towards the life skills to manage their anxiety. There are many ways of finding balance and bringing happiness and joy back into the lives of millions and the first step on that path is seeking help. Many people fear that if it is found out that they suffer from anxiety it makes them a lesser person or somehow damaged or defective…this is just not true. The human brain is a complex organism and we all need a little help now and then to help keep us on our feet and in the game (of life). I strongly encourage you to share this article, you may have friends or loved ones who may have always felt a bit left of center but never understood why…or if you suffer from dark sensation of constant worry, please seek help and give yourself the gift of freedom and happiness from the confines of anxiety. As always, thanks for reading, I hope everyone has a good week. Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com