Anxiety is a common complaint these days of many people and you may have heard this word become more and more a part of our daily conversations in the last decade. We all know someone who regularly complains of \'stress\' or \'tension\' which can also be manifestation of anxiety. But very few of us can …
Anxiety is a common complaint these days of many people and you may have heard this word become more and more a part of our daily conversations in the last decade. We all know someone who regularly complains of \’stress\’ or \’tension\’ which can also be manifestation of anxiety. But very few of us can actually identify and process anxiety in a healthy way. For many people anxiety goes unnoticed, like a steady undercurrent of discomfort which has become such a part of our daily life that we don\’t see it as an unhealthy thing at all. This is the reason why many people can\’t identify anxiety in themselves or struggle to define it and may just end up saying things like: \”I don\’t have anxiety. It\’s just my work that is stressful\” or \”Isn\’t anxiety just tension? I don\’t have tension all the time.\” But as mental health awareness is rising we understand that identifying our underlying, hidden anxiety is a very important part of improving our mental health.
To identify anxiety in ourselves or in our loved ones, we should become aware of the common as well as uncommon signs of anxiety. Here are some the of common signs of how anxiety can manifest.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Physical symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Increased heartrate
- Hyperventilation/ rapid breathing/ shortness of breath
- Trembling or shaking
- Weakness or fatigue
- Sleep issues- difficulty falling asleep or poor quality of sleep
- Nausea
- Feeling of being choked
- Feeling lightheaded, dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle tension
Psychological symptoms:
- Feeling of dread or uneasiness
- Feeling on edge
- Persistent worrying thoughts
- Low concentration
- Irritability
- Mind going \’blank\’
- Trouble stopping anxious, worrisome thoughts
- Anticipating the worst
- Constantly watching for signs of danger
- Social withdrawal or anxiety
Many people are aware of some of the common signs of anxiety but uncommon signs are less well-known to the general population. As anxiety can become such a normal part of everyday life, it is important to know the hidden, subtle ways in which anxiety manifests. Here are some of the uncommon signs of anxiety.
Uncommon Signs of Anxiety
Jaw pain: Anxiety can cause you to clench and grind your teeth without you realizing it and it may happen while you are awake or asleep. This is called bruxism which leads to jaw pain.
Scattered thinking: Many thoughts about different things may take over from time to time, making it hard for a person to concentrate or follow conversations.
Feeling overwhelmed: Being overwhelmed by things, and having an emotional reaction is not usually associated with anxiety. But underlying anxiety can make one feel overwhelmed with any new stimulus or even one\’s everyday life.
Indecisiveness: Trouble making decisions and over thinking for each and every decision is also a sign that unconscious uncertainty and worry is present.
Derealization: Derealization is the feeling that the world is not real and feels dreamlike. People feel disconnected with everything around them.
Disorganization: Being messy, cluttered and in general disorganized can be a sign that your mind is disorganized as well. Underlying anxiety can make it harder to compartmentalize and organize information as well as external things.
Indigestion: Issues with digestion are also seen as co-occuring with anxiety. Gut health is an important aspect of our life and gets affected by anxiety.
Excessive yawning: It is believed that hyperventilation due to anxiety can cause oxygen levels to decrease which can lead to excessive yawning.
Perfectionism: The need for perfection can sometimes become too much as an anxious person may keep having such thoughts consciously or unconsciously.
Impulsivity: Anxiety creates a lot of energy which is suppressed. Impulsive actions can occur if anxiety is hidden and suppressed for long periods of time.
These are some of the subtle and uncommon signs of anxiety. In high-functioning people who are not aware of their anxiety, these symptoms may be prevalent. It is important to note that these signs may occur with many other mental health issues and without a proper diagnosis one should not jump to conclusions. Self diagnosis and self treatment can actually be more dangerous in the long run. Treatment should be undertaken by consulting a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
Rehabs in India usually work with substance abuse and severe mental disorders. But people experiencing intense anxiety which interferes with their functioning also seek treatment in rehabilitation centers. It is advisable to seek support for anxiety before it reaches a stage where admission in a hospital or rehab is needed. But a change in lifestyle that is offered by rehabilitation centers is seen to be beneficial for those who are grappling with severe anxiety. Most rehabs in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi or any major cities of India, do offer outpatient services to people who wish to seek support. In our rehabilitation center, Zorbacare; medical intervention is provided along with counselling sessions for anxiety.
A thorough history is elicited in order to carry out these interventions and a customized treatment plan is designed which can benefit the client in the best way possible. In addition there are many clinics, online support groups and community support groups which can be a solace for someone with anxiety issues. Art therapy, Mindfulness training, relaxation techniques and building coping strategies are the main areas of focus in the treatment of anxiety.
