Last Updated on March 14, 2021
Although almost every person as already experimented with some form of anxiety, it is still an emotion very hard to define and categorize because it expresses itself in many different ways, has several degrees of intensity, and could be triggered by many different events or situations. To an extent, feeling “anxious” is a normal response to many situations: having a job interview, a presentation, being fired, dealing with divorce, and so on. These are situations that can trigger both an emotional response (such as worrying thoughts and feelings of tension) and a physical response (such as increased blood pressure). And that’s normal. What is not normal is having recurring intrusive thoughts and deep concerns that will make you in a constant state of inner turmoil without even facing any concrete threatening situation. That can happen because humans have this amazing capacity of considering the future and worrying about the possibility of crisis. Long-term anxiety is especially dangerous because its symptoms not only reduce the quality of life, but can potentially lead to depression – an illness that affects an estimated 19 million Americans, and that largely contributed to the alarming suicide rates in developed countries. There are some things you can do that will help you deal with your anxiety.