At some level, all of us experience at different stages of life. Quite often it’s a circumstantial anxiety due to a feeling of being out of control, dissatisfied with life circumstances, worried that something bad or worse will happen, or a general feeling of not dealing well with uncertainty. So anxiety is a normal feeling for many, and even a normal sign of being human.
But for many anxiety has become a dominant force in their life, one that affects their self-esteem, confidence, relationships, career, and is a constant inner voice churning that things are not right and that they may get worse. What may have initially been a circumstantial anxiety that ebbs and flows and shows up in minor non-debilitating ways becomes something more. For these people, it’s an issue of physiology or biology – one where the anxiety starts in the brain or chemical makeup in the body. And this is where anxiety can become debilitating. What scarier feeling in the world could there be for your own body and mind to become your own enemy, and for the emotions you’re feeling to be largely beyond your control. And frequently the results can become acute, such as an anxiety attack or a regrettable conversation or out of control behavior at work or at home. For these people, after months or years of suffering in silence, help is needed and available.
Frequently this is through the support of a therapist or mental health counselor who can provide a safe forum in which to process and discuss what is going on – mostly someone who can normalize and help regulate one’s experiences. A close friend or small group of friends can also lend support. Additionally, a visit to a psychiatrist can help uncover whether this condition truly is biochemical in nature. Through brief experimentation with various medications, it could be determined whether a deficiency exists in a specific brain chemical that regulates anxiety. Often the use of medication, despite some side effects, and add normalcy to one’s life. Despite having a condition which may be with them for life, at least they can experience a sense of freedom and relief from what otherwise may be a predominant way of being. Relief is available for someone suffering from anxiety.
