We all have things that make us nervous. Speaking to an audience, taking a difficult exam, or even going out on a date can cause considerable apprehension and worry. But what if almost everything – yes, everything – caused you undue stress? Or what if certain situations could literally paralyze you, preventing you from ever experiencing a happy, active life? Although this may sound dramatic, it is the reality that faces those who have diagnosed anxiety disorders.
Roughly ten percent of people are afflicted with an anxiety disorder, of which there are different ‘kinds,’ depending on the way everyday life is disrupted. The generalized form of anxiety is described by the Canadian Mental Health Association as “repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities.” However, to the person experiencing this extreme anxiety, such worry is not “exaggerated” – it is an unrelenting feeling that can consume their thoughts. Telling someone to “lighten up,” or “chill out,” will not be helpful; it may, in fact, make things worse. Without feeding into the emotional upset, be available to your friend/loved one, perhaps asking if there is anything you can do to help.
To help alleviate the intense worry being experienced, professionals recommend being supportive, not critical.
“With anxiety, it is necessary to work through anxious feelings and reduce the impact they have on a person. Anxiety can be very overwhelming because it triggers the fight or flight response, which is a very physical manifestation,” said Stephanie Bartsch, counsellor. As with all mental illness, compassion and understanding can go a long way.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition of persistent thoughts, compulsions and behaviours which can often be uncontrollable and undesirable. These thoughts are always on the forefront of the person’s mind, typically to the point where it controls much of what they do, and causes extreme stress if such persistent routine cannot be kept or is interfered with.
Other anxiety disorders include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Disorder, and severe phobias. Respectively, these disorders involve emotional symptoms such as terrifying/threatening experiences, panic and intense phobias.
For those suffering from any type of anxiety disorder, there is hope. As a professional who has dealt extensively with such afflictions, Bartsch knows that support and encouragement can go a long way. “People often find it helpful to confront their fears in small steps with the help of one trusted support person,” often referred to as their ‘safe person,’ suggests Bartsch. Doing so can gradually reduce symptoms, she says, by increasing a person’s confidence and feelings of competence.
“Think about successfully facing your greatest fear and getting through it, and this is the equivalent of what would be occurring.”
Bartsch notes that medication may be helpful, “but it is necessary to also develop other skills to help manage and prevent anxiety, such as relaxation techniques and self-talk.”
Whether you’re a friend, loved one, or someone afflicted with anxiety yourself, finding and contributing to the help needed for yourself or someone you care about will make a world of difference. And knowing something like that is no cause for concern.
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