Is Anxiety All in My Head?
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It's all in my head, or is it?
People who deal with anxiety and panic attacks are more common then you may realize. Statistics show that over 19 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a mental illness that falls close behind alcohol and drug addiction as most common disorder in the United States.
Thirteen years ago, I bowled on a league with a dear friend who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I didn't understand how one minute he could be fine and the next he would abruptly leave the bowling center. I used to get angry at him and tell him it was “all in his head." This is the worst thing to ever say to someone who has panic attacks. I remember thinking he was crazy and that he should be able to just “snap" out of it.
A few years later I had something tragic happen in my life, and I started having anxiety and panic attacks myself. Was this karma? For the first year or so, each time I would have an attack, I would rush myself to the emergency room, with thoughts of death. As the years went by, I learned how to better manage the emotions and “panic" mode that I would go into.
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Everyone who deals with this illness has different symptoms and different ways of dealing with it. The way I deal with the attacks change from time to time, but having a supportive spouse helping me through them is important. Sometimes it seems like my family can't understand, but for the most part they are great. There are times that it gets unbearable, and I ask to be taken to the emergency room. Many times my spouse can help me calm down and work through it without having to go. Sometimes we just take a drive and sit in the parking lot of the ER; just knowing I am there in case I need it calms my fears.
Personally, my attacks can come out of nowhere. I could be watching something funny on T.V. and all of a sudden, here it comes. A lot of people who suffer from anxiety also recycle garbage through their brain, often when they should be the most relaxed. I sit in bed at night and sometimes think of what transpired that day, or what could go on tomorrow. Thoughts start racing through my mind and I start to get anxious. It's very common and it's very hard to control.
Studies show that women suffer from anxiety and stress twice as much as men do. Generalized Anxiety Disorder(G.A.D) doesn't just have emotional symptoms. G.A.D also comes with physical symptoms such as trembling, headaches, chills, sweating, and shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, and possibly irritable bowel syndrome. Those who suffer with this illness often go to the doctor regarding these symptoms. Other symptoms could be trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability or difficulty concentrating. An average person goes to the doctor about 5 times a year. A person with G.A.D will average about 37 visits per year to the doctor.
You may wonder what causes some people to have anxiety while others may never experience it. Studies show that genes may be partly responsible. I personally know that two of my family members suffer with anxiety and or panic attacks. The brain chemistry which includes serotonin and norepinephrine are thought to be linked to the condition.
Anxiety can never fully be cured, but with medication, positive self-talk, and a supportive family, people with anxiety disorders can lead normal lives.
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And thank you for your story. Anxiety, as a condition, fascinates me, and hope they'll get closer to really identifying why it is what it is.
Keep us posted if you hear anything :)
Absolutely!
Since I've had anxiety attacks, I know personally how frightening they are and how difficult to overcome. I also have a dear friend with agoraphobia and a family member with both agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder. That degree of anxiety is very life affecting, and many people who have never experienced it and are not familiar with the symptoms of an anxiety disorder don't make an effort to be understanding or supportive.
Your hub is a good way to teach people about anxiety. Thanks!
Very good hub! (All of the other hubs I've read of yours have been good too, lol.) But, this one I'm commenting on because .... my-oh-my, how anxiety issues can ruin one's day!
But, for those of us who've battled with them, the more we learn, the easier it is for us to win when one climbs on our shoulders and tries to shake things up. :)
This is very useful info, as I am a sufferer of panic disorder, which was actually what my first Hub consisted of. I look forward to reading more of your Hubs and will have more to come on the topics of Anxiety and Depression. In the mean time, God bless!!
Thank Sammy! Glad it was useful. I hope you are dealing with your panic as well as you can. Be strong!
Interesting hub! I think anxiety can be cured almost completely, by working on both internal factors (improving self-esteem, positive self-talk) and external circumstances (reducing the frequency and duration of anxiety-causing situations). Of course, a complete reversal of a personality type is unlikely, but knowing your enemy is the first step of battling it!
One of my kids had anxiety pretty severly during is teens years. Your hub was very interesting and informative. Voted up.
Your hub is very useful and informative. My sister has that and it is scary when the attack strikes. I enjoy reading it! I have voted up and useful. Thanks for sharing! :)
Great information here! Thanks for sharing! I have family that experience panic attacks, they are scary for the person experiencing them. You really described the symptons well and are so correct about the times that they occurr. It's so strange to me how they pop out of no where.
Wonderful hub! I never had a panic attack in my life until I was married. It was not a good marriage, so, of course, I am no longer married; but through behavior modification therapy and medication I do just fine now.
It is interesting that you state this is considered a mental illness. None of my doctors ever told me that. Perhaps, they were being kind, or may be mine wasn't full blown. I don't know.
I empathize with you and hope you do better as the years go on. This is very important information and everyone needs to be aware of anxiety problems. Have you ever tried meditation? It has helped me tremendously, especially during times of high stress. I wish you the best. Thanks for sharing and this is an interesting and relevant hub.
Thanks for sharing your personal story. It pays to be tolerant when other people have situations we don't understand. I agree that panic attacks are more common than we think.
What a beautiful job you did addressing a very real and difficult issue for many people. Most are afraid to talk about it because with it is also misunderstanding with those around them that it is some kind of mental illness. In working with women in prison, it is quite common, and comes at times in response to one's lack of control of circumstances and people around them that are quite threatening and are constantly in a state of change. Our soul is made to rest, and when we are in a heightened state of protective awareness for a prolonged period of time, sometimes I believe anxiety is a rebound from holding it together when we actually need an emotional release. In a society that fosters "faking it until you make it" philosophy, particularly the institutions including the military and police agencies, it is interpreted as "manhood" or leadership material. Then when people lose that aura, they are rejected and suffer anxiety. Thank God when a person has supportive, compassionate people around them. That is what our world needs desperately, and that is why I love what I do. Bless you for sharing your heart and your spouse for encouraging you! Up, beautiful, interesting and useful.
Thanx for this post. Most could not comprehend what it means to find some one that understands. As someone who has personally suffered from Anxiety, to the point of mild agoraphobic like symptoms, for over 30 years. I can tell you. Anxiety can be crippling on every level of life. Please keep it up :)
Great hub! Unless one has experienced a panic attack it is difficult to understand how dibilitating it can be. Thanks so much for sharing your story and creating awareness and understanding about a little understood condition.
Thanks, Sandi! Coming from you, and knowing your profession, I'm sure you've had to deal with this alot!
Working with students with behavioural problems I see the symptoms all around me every day...thank you for sharing...great hub:)
Thanks for reading, Beata! Unfortunately, I think when it attacks younger people, it is often missed and diagnosed as something else, which leaves the poor kid to figure it out in their late teens or 20's. By then, the damage is done.
Great hub, thejeffriestube. I too suffer with panic attacks; I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder in '07a.d. It is imperative that we sufferers have a strong support system outside the clinical setting. I'm glad to hear you have a supportive spouse; that is vital in a marriage when you suffer any mental illness. I am glad you addressed this issue which is indeed more common than people might think. I suffered with panic attacks for most all of my life, but thanks to strong Faith, modern medicine and support from my family and friends, I can deal with them more effectively. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
I'm so glad you decided to read and share your story too. I know it can be hard to open up to strangers about it, but it seems you have your condition well under control now! Great job!
Dave,
As always, you've explained what can be a complex subject in an easy to understand manner. You're doing everyone a great service by writing articles such as this one. Thank you.
it is so good to have "everyday" people write about things other "everyday" people are suffering from. Many don't believe in anxiety attacks as you pointed out in the beginning of your hub. I'm sure the best thing to do is find a way to deal with it that works for you and stick with it. Nice job. Voted up.
It's hard to believe it's been six months since you first created this hub. Anxiety hubs are evergreen...they will always be of use to someone. Way to go Dave!!
This hub needed to be written. I suffer from depression and know how frightening panic attacks can be. My family don't really understand it. They seem to think it's a matter of choice and I need to 'pull myself together' which of course is nonsense! If only it was that easy!
Good choice of topic - it is always easier for me to understand others when I've experienced what they have and we can compare notes. We can relate to each other and that can lead to helping each other through difficult moments. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It's obvious from the comments that many can relate. Good job - voted up!
I have anxiety. I never did until after I stopped being a full-time student and no-longer knew exactly what my plan was.
Since then, I get panic attacks when I think of job interviews, bills, etc. (business-related scenarios). My grandmother on my Dad's side got panic attacks in public (like restaurants).
This is a real problem for me as I have no full-time regular pay-check job since being laid off in December 2010 when my father became semi-retired. Commission-based jobs are not great for someone like me.
Sunshine625 Level 8 Commenter 9 months ago
Great hub! Anxiety is extremely common. It's been a part of my life for 30 years....since I was 18 yrs old. Off and on. Control is possible. The most important thing to remember is that anxiety won't kill you but the stress from worrying about it could. Once victims learn to control them and just ride the wave (as I refer to them) episodes so get easier to deal with. Thank you for sharing.