Anxiety is an increasingly common disorder in our societies, and it manifests itself in a multitude of ways that can vary from person to person.

The reasons why anxiety appears in our lives are also very varied, as it can be caused by the stress of work, by an exam, a complicated sentimental situation, etc. Although, in many cases, the cause is not clear and is simply a distressing feeling that can affect us seriously. From the evolutionary point of view, anxiety is a mechanism that our body has to warn us of threatening situations .

What is anxiety and what are its causes?

As we have commented in the previous lines, anxiety is nothing more than a defence system that our organism uses to alert us to a situation that may be threatening. It is a mechanism that prepares us to face moments or situations that may have a negative outcome. Therefore, is a common response provided that the symptoms are mild and that they respond in a way that helps us to face the challenges of everyday life .

However, in cases where reactions and symptoms are very intense and frequent, anxiety can become a problem. Sometimes this disorder can generate a great deal of discomfort, with physical and psychological symptoms that can even affect our routine and, in serious cases, it can be a disabling illness. In this case, it is not considered a normal response of the organism, but a disorder or a pathological reaction.

The causes are varied, since it can be triggered by life experiences, which do not necessarily have to be negative but which generate great changes, such as a change of job or a break-up with a partner. It can also be due to very threatening situations and events in which we experience a great emotional impact, such as a car accident, a job layoff or a grieving process. It can even be influenced by genetic factors, by having stress over a long period of time or by using drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine or LSD.

Main symptoms

As for the main symptoms , we find nervousness, the feeling of excessive worry, the inability to concentrate, apprehension, irritability, frequent forgetfulness , feeling overwhelmed, etc.

However, they are not only reduced to psychological symptoms, but also manifest themselves in physical problems such as muscle tension, chest pain or difficulty in breathing, excessive sweating, palpitations, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or headache, among others.

How to overcome this disorder?

This problem can be treated thanks to psychology and psychotherapy, as it will help us change behaviours and habits that can influence its appearance and promote a more positive personality. That is to say, one of the changes that must be carried out is to learn to identify those negative and intrusive thoughts that generate this discomfort in us and to change them into realistic and positive thoughts.

Likewise, the psychologist can help us to better manage this problem and to control our fears, to change them into more rational ways of thinking that bring us greater well-being. Therefore, we must face what we fear in order to overcome it, and one of the most effective ways is to go to the psychotherapist. We must also avoid those situations that generate a feeling of anxiety or distress and lead a healthy life.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy for cases of anxiety has proven to be very effective , as it provides us with tools and guidelines with which to manage the moments of greatest tension, in addition to learning to incorporate good habits into our routine, such as physical exercise, meditation, etc. In addition, on a cognitive level a psychologist will help us to evaluate our thoughts and discard all those that anchor us to a state of nervousness.

In short, many people suffer from anxiety, so it is an increasingly common problem in our society and may be related to other diseases such as depression. Its diagnosis and treatment is essential to achieve a better quality of life and eliminate its problematic symptoms. If you need psychological attention, you can contact me through my professional profile.