Anatomy of Anxiety

Anxiety disorders—including OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia—impact approximately 40 million people worldwide. Anxiety can happen to anyone, and with it comes highs, lows, and everything in between. The symptoms can be so debilitating leading to major avoidance and near-constant bodily unease. The presence of constant anxiety can make an individual feel unlike themselves or like they have faulty parts. They may feel misunderstood and alone or prefer their own company to the constant demands of the world warring with their anxiety.

If you have an anxiety disorder, it’s crucial to know this truth: you’re not alone.  We’ve compiled some anxiety tips here to help ease your body and mind, and we invite you to keep reading to learn more.

Before you dive in, remember that our professionals are always here to help

What is Anxiety?

Normal anxiety is the body’s natural stress response. It warns you of an unknown threat and is a normal reaction under certain circumstances. However, such responses may occur at the wrong time for some people and be debilitating, potentially indicating an anxiety disorder.

Persistent symptoms that typically characterize anxiety disorders include:

●        Anxiousness

●        Excessive worry

●        Restlessness

●        Intrusive negative thoughts

●        Difficulty concentrating

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Many times, we focus on the mental symptoms of anxiety and fail to recognize that this is a whole-body affair. In truth, anxiety creates some wide-reaching effects, all across our system.

Up top, our minds are relentless. They’re running a constant dialogue, complete with old tapes from childhood that sound suspiciously like our parents or ex who just never made us feel like we were good enough. The headaches, dry mouth, clenched jaw, and shoulder pain come from holding ourselves so tightly, preparing for every eventuality. Our racing heart, quick & shallow breathing, and sweaty existence are further symptoms of our bodies preparing for disaster, and spending all day like this leads us to feel weak, with no energy, maybe even with stomach cramps to keep us company. Even our hands aren’t safe from our attempts to self-soothe, with nails bitten or skin picked and a healthy dose of shame to accompany either.

What is Not Anxiety?

Stress is an emotional response that relates to but differs from anxiety. External triggers (e.g., exams or disagreements) typically precipitate stress. However, unlike stress, clinical anxiety isn’t short-term and doesn’t leave upon removing the stressor.

Fear is often linked to anxiety as well. It’s the emotional response to a perceived or existing threat, while anxiety is the anticipation of a future threat.

While many other constructs, such as a lack of self-esteem, self-confidence, perfectionism, and worry are similar to anxiety, they do not necessarily mean that you qualify for a diagnosis.

What Causes Anxiety?

For women especially, much of our anxiety is tied to our role as a mother, as well as all of the hurdles necessary to achieve that role. From the way that COVID-19 uprooted our lives to the transition of becoming a mother, anxiety is a near-constant theme in many women’s lives.

Anxiety Tips for Easing Your Symptoms

Anxiety of all kinds, characterized by various symptoms, can happen to anyone. There are many anxiety tips and activities an individual can try to combat their symptoms, such as:

●        Exercise or brief movements that allow you to relocate or reconnect to your body

●        Reading or other distraction techniques

●        Journaling to help clear anxious thoughts from your brain

●        Meditation & attention to breath

●        Grounding techniques to help you feel safe and connected to the present moment

●        Thought reframing through recognizing thinking traps or re-centering on a meaningful mantra

●        Connect with someone you trust

●        Begin behavioral therapy for anxiety

Since Anxiety Can Happen to Anyone, Treatment is Available for Everyone

Anxiety treatment can provide you with the necessary tools for managing your symptoms and reclaiming control of your life. When anxiety symptoms persist, consider seeing a licensed mental health professional.

At LunaJoy, we respect women seeking peace and freedom from anxiety and provide them with the personalized care and support they need. The compassionate, experienced experts in this caring community created by women for women in all stages of life keep your sessions focused on you. Our therapists objectively guide you through your experiences and focus on what you want to address. We identify signs and symptoms and focus on why certain circumstances contribute to your anxiety. Such care can empower you to develop more effective coping strategies for dealing with anxiety and gain more agency to create a life free from the constraints of anxiety.

Reach out to LunaJoy today to get the mental health care and treatment you deserve. Our evidence-based and holistic services aim to help you overcome challenges and develop more self-awareness, constructive habits, and healthy control. Professionals in this safe, judgment-free space can help you acquire the information you can use to improve your life and enhance your mental and emotional well-being.