Anxiety is a complex mental and emotional condition. Someone who feels anxiety in a specific situation is not experiencing the same state as those who live with chronic anxiety. Clinically diagnosed chronic anxiety can be debilitating and, in some cases, it can severely affect a person’s life. While severe cases of anxiety need professional treatment, sometimes lifestyle changes and anxiety medication over the counter can help less critical cases.
Anxiety vs. Anxiousness
Feeling anxious is part of life. If you are waiting to give a speech, for example, or are next in line for a job interview, chances are you will feel nervous. Physical symptoms of situational nervousness and anxiousness often include:
- Profuse sweating
- Trembling
- Heavy breathing
- Twitching muscles
- Fast heart rate
Sometimes people experience gastric disturbances that include diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. However, this type of fear is not existential, and it does not stop you from doing the things you want to do. People even say that a bit of nervousness helps them perform better.
Chronic, pathological anxiety, however, is not a response to exterior stimuli. Anxiety disorders are often based on past traumas, whether they are being abused as a child, surviving a robbery, or being involved in war. Chronic anxiety does not go away. Rather, it is like a heavy weight that can make participating in life difficult and seemingly impossible at times. Pathological anxiety manifests in various ways, including:
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Phobias
This type of anxiety does not necessarily need specific stressors or triggers, especially in the cases of generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Anxiety disorders can damage health. They may lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm, and in extreme cases, even suicide. They can limit activities and enjoyment, greatly reducing a person’s quality of life. Those with severe agoraphobia, for example, may not be able to leave their residences or even particular rooms.
How To Manage Both Anxiety and Anxiousness
Extreme and chronic anxiety that affects a person’s life needs to be treated by a mental health professional. People joke about “being OCD” without understanding that anxiety is a crippling, dangerous condition. The good news is that modern treatments and therapies can help those who live with pathological anxiety to gradually open up to wider experiences and new relationships.
Less severe cases in most ages may be managed by both lifestyle changes and medicines purchased from retailers. Formulas for adults and anxiety medication for children can help many people relax, focus, and enjoy the moment. For children, the right formulas may help them function better in school and social situations.
Similarly, over the counter anxiety medication for adults may help improve job performance as well as relationships with relatives and friends. Healthy functioning means people respond appropriately rather than merely react based on unease.
Take Anxiety Seriously — And Hope
Anxiety is no joking matter. Severe cases of chronic anxiety need professional treatment. Fortunately, those with less acute anxiety have easy access to formulas that may help people of all ages function at their very best. You and your loved ones should have the best possible life.
