Anxiety Disorders. What is Going On?
When we encounter a threat, our body gears up, preparing us to run for our life or fight for our life. This is called the Fight or Flight response and is a necessary part of our ability to survive. However, the part of our brain that controls our fight of flight is primitive and does not know an emotional threat from a physical one. It reacts the same way to any threat. As a result, modern life is confusing. Our brain can misunderstand the cues and launch our body into a flight or fight response even though it may be the last thing we want. It can also keep us in an ongoing state of stress, waiting for impending threats. So, while the purpose of anxiety is to preserve our life, sometimes it actually hinders it. If your stress begins to interfere with your normal routine, an anxiety disorder may be present and it is time to consult your doctor. These disorders dramatically reduce our ability to function, but are also highly treatable. You are not crazy. Doctors treat people for anxiety everyday, so there is no cause for shame. Our bodies do possess their own natural means of stress reduction, but often we need help and practice to put them to work for us. Counseling, group therapy and other treatment methods are highly successful with this. Your doctor can assess you and recommend the necessary treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe medication and this can be helpful, calming your nervous system long enough so that counseling and other non-medicinal treatments can work. Be easy on yourself and get the treatment you need. Taking good care of yourself is the best way to take care of your family. Below you will find links to the description of several disorders, as well as an explanation of why having an anxiety disorder does not make you "crazy".
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Anxiety disorders occur when our natural and necessary survival reactions become over active and interfere with our life.
The purpose of our anxiety symptoms is to keep us safe. Anxiety makes it possible for us to respond immediately, without much thought, to dangerous situations.
