What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotional disturbance associated with the anticipation and anticipation of an unpleasant experience or danger. Even if everything around is in order, a person can feel the impending disaster.
According to Alexey Ovchinnikov, there are different degrees of anxiety. Its most extreme degree is generalized anxiety disorder, which has a very negative impact on quality of life. Only a psychiatrist can make a diagnosis.
How does one know they have an anxiety disorder?
The psychologist explains that if anxiety becomes a constant, intrusive thing and begins to interfere with daily life, a person may suspect that he or his loved ones have an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms include: rapid heartbeat, sweating, feeling tense, difficulty breathing, sleep disturbance, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset. In addition, constant negative thoughts and expecting the worst can also be a bad sign.
What causes anxiety?
A person experiences anxiety for completely different reasons. It can be a genetic predisposition, long-term stress, acute psychological trauma, or disturbances in the biochemical processes of the brain.
The psychologist also notes that various uncertainties about the future, professional and personal difficulties, chronic diseases and lack of social support will also cause anxiety.
What difficulties does anxiety cause?
Anxiety disorders can seriously affect a person’s quality of life. A person with this disorder may eventually begin to isolate themselves from the outside world, exclude social contacts, meetings, and important events because of problems with concentration, productivity, and decision-making.
When emotional distress leads to deterioration of general health, anxiety can also lead to psychosomatic disorders.
What are the characteristics of the behavior of an anxious person?
According to Alexey Ovchinnikov, relatives of an anxious person often witness increased irritability, isolation or extreme anxiety. Such a person complains to those around him that he feels bad or demands more attention, which in many cases can cause confusion and even irritation in response.
The psychologist notes that it is very important for loved ones to understand that such behavior is not a whim, but a real psychological problem.
How to get rid of anxiety?
A person who discovers the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can first contact a specialist (psychologist or psychiatrist). This is a necessary stage – the expert must confirm the disorder or deny its existence. Following the recommendations of a professional, a person with an anxiety disorder may undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, receive medication support, or receive a combination of the two methods.
During therapy, the patient goes through the process of working with consciousness and thoughts and feelings. It should teach a person to manage anxiety by changing relaxation techniques and thinking patterns.
What mistakes do anxious people make during treatment?
Alexey Ovchinnikov lists the following mistakes in the treatment of anxiety disorders: avoiding professional help, hoping for an immediate result, ignoring the doctor’s instructions or self-diagnosis.
He also emphasizes that drugs can only temporarily relieve symptoms, but they cannot solve the problem itself. Therefore, it is important to work with thoughts and feelings.