Anxiety
Anxiety
Sweaty palms? Racing pulse, stomach churning and a feeling of impending doom?
No, you’re not thinking of the next round of Brexit negotiations: You could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Academics have spoken about ‘the Age of Anxiety’, about how the numbers of people suffering with anxiety has been going up and up. It is true that more people are suffering from the symptoms of anxiety, this has been happening for years, but it is especially since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Covanxiety’ is maybe a word I have just made up, but it is something we come across a lot in healthcare. Those suffering with mental health problems have often found it harder since the outbreak; partly a worry about what is happening; but partly due to losing their social networks and usual activities. What is also very common, including amongst those with no previous problems, is the feeling of a generalised anxiety – this often feels like a general feeling of unease, like something is wrong. This can be accompanied by problems sleeping, sometimes a slight tightness in the chest or throat, even a little cough (which is not helpful when there is Covid-19 around I know).
So, what exactly is anxiety?
Some anxiety is normal; it is more than worrying or being stressed, but it is a natural response to stressful situations. Anxiety is a quite a physical phenomenon: the body is responding to the mind feeling under pressure causing an activation of the nervous system and increased release of certain hormones, especially adrenaline. The results of this are mental and physical, with a ‘fight or flight’ response. This can be helpful, if you are being chased by a tiger it does help you to have a faster heart rate and have more air going to your lungs so you can run faster.
However, if the stressful situation occurs over a longer timescale: like not being able to get a job, or a fear of an invisible virus, then this becomes unhelpful. I have patients whose anxiety is so severe that they cannot leave the house, if they try to they develop all the symptoms of anxiety – they have panic attacks. This happens even when whatever the original reason for the anxiety was has gone away, their mind keeps creating the physical anxiety response and the fear of the response makes it worse- it turns into a vicious circle.
‘Anxiety disorder’ occurs when a person’s anxiety begins to affect their life, and what they can do. Often people suffering find it hard to go to work, or to see friends, and this often makes it worse. Some anxiety disorders are well known, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or PTSD, but ‘generalised anxiety disorder’ is less well known but common. Estimates are that around 1 in 15 people will be suffering from something similar at any time, with about a third of people affected by a serious anxiety problem at some point in their lives.
So it is very common, and can be crippling.
As usual I like to focus on solving problems as well as describing them. The good news is that anxiety is generally treatable, and for those on the edge of anxiety disorders can be prevented or controlled. A few general tips:
Sleep is often underrated, there is lots of evidence on the benefits of sleep on mental health (easily said rather than done I know for those insomniacs out there).
Anxiety levels are improved by regular exercise, just a half hour of brisk exercise has a really good effect on anxiety. Outdoor exercise seems to be particularly helpful (but obviously won’t work for everyone).
Talking and being social helps most people, just doing normal social activity can help, even if it seems like the last thing that someone feels like doing.
Treatment for anxiety does work. I think sometimes people feel a bit nervous about talking therapy, but there is great evidence for different therapies such as ‘cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)’ and others which help people think about this in a healthier way. Even simple measure that are used in therapy, such as writing down worrying thoughts or applying distraction techniques, can work and can be done at home.
There are great resources on-line, charities such as Mind have good advice and support lines. The NHS has a variety of support services, beginning with on-line all the way to 1:1 therapy.
The biggest tip is to remember that anxiety is common so not something to be embarrassed by, but it is something that can be fixed as long as it is recognised.
For more about this have a listen to my Podcast with Alex:
https://tinyurl.com/y5rwjoxd
Useful links:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/