What to know:
Wouldn’t it be great to be totally free of anxiety?
Well . . . not really. Anxiety, like pain, is one of our body’s warning systems; we’d be in trouble without it. While pain tells us something is potentially wrong in our body, anxiety tells us something may be dangerous in our environment. It could be physically dangerous—like a bear—or socially and emotionally dangerous, like a conflict with a person we care about.
At its best, anxiety alerts us to pay attention and to act with appropriate care. At its worst, anxiety can be agonizing and disabling.
Helpful anxiety:
- Nervousness before a presentation, or a test, or a first date.
- Fear of an aggressive, barking dog; and anxiety the next time you encounter the same dog.
- Fear related to doing something risky.
- Discomfort over doing something that you believe is wrong.
Problematic anxiety:
- Fear of leaving the house; fear of having a panic attack.
- Repetitive, intrusive thoughts that you can’t shake.
- Overwhelming anxiety over social interactions.
- Persistent worry that won’t let up.
Anxiety itself is normal and healthy. But if it starts messing with your life, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are treatable; help is available. Some common treatments include:
- Talk therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Medications
What to do:
- A few general tips for managing anxiety include:
- Limit caffeine intake as well as alcohol or other drugs.
- Engage in physical exercise.
- Remember that anxiety itself (including panic attacks) is “distressing, but not dangerous.”
- Avoid avoiding: Sometimes our efforts to avoid anxiety end up reinforcing the anxiety. Facing the thing you are anxious about can be a way to reclaim your power over anxiety.
If anxiety is causing problems for you, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help, and/or recommend a specialist who can help. For assistance finding a behavioral health provider, or for questions about benefits, call Moda Behavioral Health: 1-800-799-9391.