Posts
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States affecting 18.1% of adults 18 and over, and 25.1% of children 13-18. It can range from mild to severe and can even be debilitating. It can cause physical effects as well as emotional and mental issues and can also effect the relationships with the people around the anxiety ridden person.
There are many causes for anxiety and it has become more prevalent than ever in our fast paced culture. Chronic stress and traumatic events are the main contributors.
Anxiety can cause panic attacks and interfere with daily activities. Some symptoms include feeling nervous, a sense of impending danger or panic, increased heart rate, breathing, and gastrointestinal issues. Anxiety increases chances of cardiovascular disorders, obesity, heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, among many other physical ailments.
So, what physically happens in your body when you have anxiety? The flight or fight response is triggered, under normal circumstances a sudden threat activates the autonomic nervous system, which increases levels of adrenaline, faster breathing, and racing heart rate. These reactions trigger the activation of stress hormones, such as cortisol. When cortisol is activated it increases glucose levels in the bloodstream in order to respond to the perception of imminent threat, so that muscles can be activated to respond to the danger. When your body is in this response it suppress the immune system because processes such as healing, repairing, and digestion can wait until after the threat subsides. When someone has an anxiety disorder where there is constant activation of these responses, and constant flow of these hormones, your body loses its ability to control immune function, which contributes to heightened systemic inflammation that increases risk for cardiovascular disorders and even autoimmune disorders.
In western medicine anxiety is mostly treated with pharmaceutical drugs, all of which have a long list of side effects and do not address the main cause.
Chinese medicine would treat anxiety as a disturbance of the spirit. Using acupuncture, dietary changes and herbs, in conjunction with meditation, regular massage, Qigong, and Tai Chi, focusing on a mind body balance. Allowing the Qi to flow freely helps relieve not only the symptoms, but really focuses on what it is that is causing the anxiety.
Massage can be extremely beneficial for anxiety helping the body and mind to relax.
There are many natural ways to relieve and possibly remove the anxiety. Whatever you decide to try, listening to how your body responds to the treatments you choose, will tell you what works best for you.
Anxiety can also be self inflicted, ;ie waiting until the last minute to post your blog. 😉
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
No comments:
Post a Comment