9 Myths About Anxiety
Do you feel like you’re struggling with too many worries? Do they interfere with your sleep and keep you from enjoying the life you deserve?
If so, know that you’re not alone! Millions of people in our country are stressed out, worry and overthink at times Because of this prevalence, much research has been done to discover how to help.
You don’t have to suffer in silence, hoping that your worries will just go away. There are things you can do to alleviate your struggles!
1. Myth:
Anxiety isn’t a real illness.
Although there isn’t a medical test you can take to see if you have anxiety, all of your worries and the physical feelings that go with them are very real. If your worries are negatively impacting your life, you can get help and take steps to treat it.
2. Myth:
You can pass out when having a panic attack.
A panic attack won’t cause you to pass out, as fainting will usually occur when there is a drop in blood pressure. The opposite occurs when you experience a panic attack, with your heart rate and blood pressure increasing.
3. Myth:
You should avoid stressful situations if you suffer from anxiety.
The issue with this is that it is almost impossible to avoid stressful situations. Life is full of stressful, and often unexpected, situations that you simply cannot avoid.
When you understand how anxiety works you can better manage ALL situations.
4. Myth:
Some people just worry and cannot be treated.
While there are some people who stress more than others, it’s not a one size fits all approach that will support you to make a change. We are all unique and it’s understanding how it is to be ‘a human being’ that will build your awareness and ultimately allow you to change effortlessly.
5. Myth:
Most people manage their anxiety well.
You may think that you are the only person that suffers from such worries, but it is reported that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England, this figure has probably risen during the recent pandemic. Reaching out for support BEFORE a crisis helps to manage overwhelm in stressful times.
6. Myth:
My anxiety will get better on its own.
This is true for some people once the stressful situation has passed BUT for others they get caught up in overthinking and even more worry that it will return. Understanding and increasing your awareness can allow you to live a life without stress overwhelming you.
7. Myth:
I only need a little drink to get through this.
Many choose to self-medicate to get themselves through a stressful event, often opting for drinking alcohol or taking a recreational drug.
Alcohol can cause us to feel more of the symptoms of anxiety and can get us stuck in a loop of anxious thoughts and feelings.
There are also additional health risks associated with these choices to think about too.
8. Myth:
Anxiety treatment will take forever.
With the right support and your commitment you can see results very quickly. We can never be anxiety free, it’s part of our fight and flight reflex BUT you can learn ways of living your best life EVEN if you get anxious at times.
9. Myth:
You can overcome anxiety overnight if you want to.
If you have ever heard someone say to just “get over it” when it comes to your concerns, then they likely don’t really understand how much worry anxiety can cause. YOU CAN lessen the impact anxiety has on your life IF you are open to exploring a different way of understanding how anxiety works.
This lack of support may lead to you avoiding the subject entirely and cause you to suffer in silence.
Getting the right support and a new understanding of how ‘Being Human’ works can make all the difference for you and your family.