There’s much more to anxiety than feeling nervous. An anxiety disorder is a condition with a wide variety of causes, symptoms, and potential treatments. It is also something that can teach and guide us. It serves notice that we have needs to identify. Once identified, those needs must be addressed. This means we accept and embrace the reality that help is required.

What Are Some of the Needs Underlying Our Anxiety?

1. Dealing With a Physical Issue

Physical injury or illness can quite often be a predictor of anxiety issues. No one wants to deal with physical issues. They inspire fear and doubt. People around us treat us differently. Also, we may have to use medications that induce anxiety as a side effect.

2. Managing One’s Empathy

Some people feel differently — and perhaps feel more — than others. In this non-stop information age, we are more aware than ever about the world’s ills. Empathic people are prone to anxiety when faced with this deluge. In addition, they may find themselves criticized for such perceived weakness. This, in turn, can create more social anxiety.

3. Managing One’s Genetics

Studies have found that we can inherit some anxiety disorders. Our DNA is not automatically our destiny. But, if we have a predisposition for it, it would behoove us to take preventative steps. Learn your family history and behave accordingly.

4. Processing Physical and/or Emotional Abuse/Long-Term Stress

What we endured in our past and what we are still enduring will inevitably play a role in the development of anxiety disorders. Our entire ability to function on a daily basis can be impacted by abuse. Becoming aware of past abuse is essential. Of equal importance is learning how to identify such manipulation in your life today. From there, it is highly recommended to begin working with a therapist to address the inevitable and often obscured fallout (see below).

5. Finding a Sense of Purpose

A dream deferred is still a dream. Putting off dreams and living without purpose has been found to create low-level anxiety. Over time, the cumulative effect leads to a disorder. This is not to say everyone must climb mountain or rescue orphans. Rather, we all need a daily mission guided by our internal values. Again, counseling is a proven path for the exploration of one’s life purpose.

6. Dealing With Substance Issues

Anxiety disorders can stem from long-term drug or alcohol abuse. It may begin with the tension created by having an illegal habit that must be kept from others. From there, physical issues become almost impossible to avoid.

Basic Self-Care Steps

While the above undying concerns each require specific guidance, we can fortify ourselves with a regimen of daily self-care. Some of the basic steps include:

  • Regular sleep patterns
  • Healthy eating habits
  • Daily exercise and activity
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Stress management

These fundamental steps help us be a better version of ourselves. With that foundation, we can help reduce the day-to-day symptoms of anxiety disorders. We can also gain a clearer perspective of what lies beneath our anxiety and how best to address it.

Asking For Help With Anxiety’s Underlying Needs

Anxiety is a skilled and persuasive liar. It will convince us that we do not need help. Or worry us with the idea that we are beyond the point of recovery. We must counter these lies with a solid grasp of what led us to this point. Only then can we act on the need for help and guidance.

Reach out to a therapist for your own peace of mind. Learn strategies to infuse more calm and perspective into your life. Contact me soon, I’m here to help.

 

Posted by Counseling Wise on October 8, 2018