It’s 2:30 a.m., and you are worried about making it in to work in the morning. Never mind that your car is an all-wheel drive and the tires are good. What if the alarm doesn’t go off and you oversleep? You try to drift off to sleep, but thoughts keep racing through your mind. Why didn’t you remember to make the call and make your OB-GYN appointment? What if your pap smear comes back positive? You toss and turn trying to get settled and comfortable. You finally drop off to sleep around 3:15 a.m.
Anxiety is a natural part of the lives we live and is one of the most human emotions. Anxiety can serve as an adaptive function, and it’s only when it becomes overwhelming and interferes in your normal functioning that it becomes a problem. Anxiety disorders affect persons of all ages, however, studies indicate that women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety disorder. In 2024, 43% of adults said they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 35% in 2023.
For some teens, anxiety and worry is a constant factor. It interferes with their ability to function normally on a daily basis. They may suffer from social anxiety disorder, which is defined as an intense fear of social situations. Some students may feel too nervous to raise their hand in class or some may feel extremely shy at the lunch table or when they meet new people. Another type of anxiety that teens suffer with is test anxiety. In a school setting, anxiety is one of the most basic human emotions and occurs in almost every person at some point in time. In the school setting, 30% of students suffer from test anxiety when asked to perform. When test anxiety is severe, it can have negative effects on a student’s ability to perform at an optimal level. Consequences of chronic anxiety can include decreased self esteem, reduced effort, depression and loss of motivation.
Anxiety is manifested in three ways: cognitively, behaviorally and physiologically. Affected students may be seen by teachers as unmotivated or lazy, or less capable than their peers. The two forms of anxiety that are vital to understanding anxiety are trait anxiety and state anxiety. Trait anxiety refers to anxiety that is chronic and is not triggered by specific events. State anxiety refers to anxiety that has a specific causation.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, such as personality, family dynamics, brain chemistry and genetics. Family discord over money, arguments due to pending divorce or severe illness of a family member can all cause considerable stress leading to anxiety. All anxiety disorders share one thing in common, persistent and often overwhelming fear or worry. There are many physical symptoms involved such as racing heart, dry mouth, increased sweating, trembling, disturbances of bladder and bowel functions, trembling and disturbed sleep. Anxiety sufferers may mistakenly believe they have a medical illness.
Anxiety disorders are treatable and treatment may include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation, biofeedback and hypnosis. Medications to alleviate symptoms can be used for short term use so that other forms of therapy can be pursued, but they can be habit forming and may have unwanted side effects. Self care and boundary setting are essential for managing anxiety.
Realize that you are not your symptom and you are not crazy. Seek out a health professional that will help you understand the cause and not the symptom. If anxiety is not abetted and a low level fear is still present, the inner mind will devise one or more ways of controlling or modifying it. These include smoking, overeating, alcohol or drug abuse, nail biting, phobias, insomnia and much more. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, meditate, get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet.
Sandi Y. Squicquero M.Ed, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works out of the Medical Hypnosis and Counseling Center at 1180 Main St., Suite 5B, in Windsor. She has more than 30 years experience as a counselor and is board-certified in medical hypnosis.
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