Anxiety by Bethany Barnes

    Anxiety is something that nearly every human has experienced at one point or another. It has the ability to paralyze and isolate. The root cause can come from school, work, family, health issues, sports, etc. One may feel like they are alone in this fight against anxiety but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. This disorder is very common and prevalent in today’s day and age. Anxiety is also not a respecter of persons meaning you can have this at any age.  You may never know how many people around you deal with this same obstacle. Even though it may seem there is no way out, it can be overcome. Through these next few pages, let’s further discuss anxiety at a greater extent.

History

The history of anxiety started back in the ancient Greek time period. Even back in that time, it was characterized as a medical disorder. Later in the 1700s, a man by the man of Robert Burton wrote about anxiety in “The Anatomy of Melancholy” (Crocq 1). Over time they began to categorize the different types/symptoms of anxiety. Before the 19th-century anxiety wasn’t looked at as an illness but more of a disorder. Ever since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been a disorder of psychiatric classifications and categories (Crocq 1). In 1978, the first phobia meeting for anxiety took place (“Our History” 1). This meeting took place in White Plains, New York (“Our History” 1). During the 1980s, people started discussing more of the treatment and solutions to this problem (“Our History” 1). In 1980 they also were recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (Tracyn 1). They then created what was known as the Phobia Society of America (“Our History” 1). The following were some of the founders of this society: Robert L. DuPont, MD; Arthur Hardy, MD; and Nancy Flaxman (“Our History” 1). These few people and others embarked on an unknown journey of discovering more about anxiety and its effects on the lives of others. Later in 1990, the name was changed to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (“Our History” 1). Again in 2012, the name changed. This time they changed it to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (“Our History” 1). This is the name that has stuck with this organization. This organization works hard with Scientists and Physicians to gradually continue this battle against anxiety (“Our History” 1).

In today's day and age, panic attacks are the most common form of Anxiety. In the past, people rarely received effective treatment for their anxiety. Different organizations are working hard every day to work towards extinction of anxiety (Tracyn 1). There are really two main types of anxiety. The first one is an everyday, common, temporary, anxiety over different things. This could come from school, work, a relationship, family, sports, financial issues, etc. This kind will look different according to each person’s life. This is very common and happens when life gets hectic or we are put in different situations. The stress of life can bring this on within a matter of minutes. The second type of it is all-encompassing anxiety that causes very serious and complex results. This kind is often labeled as Medical Anxiety (“Anxiety Disorders” 1). With this kind, you may end up institutionalized. Some people are born this way or it is almost predetermined. There may have been an instance in someone's life that sparked this kind of anxiety. Others are more prone to this and some aren’t.

 The main causes of anxiety are simple things such as school or work. With these, it could be a job presentation or class presentation that can cause stress. Another way school can cause stress is during tests and exams. In that moment and leading up to it could feel as if you have no hope and are just gonna fail. Each student or person has to find how to overcome this. In some cases, low oxygen or high altitude could cause anxiety (Felman 1). A second cause could be in your genetics. Studies show that if someone in your family has a disorder then you are more likely to get it as well (Felman 1). It's very common that when someone is stressed out around you it can cause you to be stressed. Anxiety works the same way. Another cause would be from medication. Often times anxiety is a side effect of different medications. It could also just come from the disease itself. Lastly, one cause could be from a life-changing event in your life. Scientists have proven and showed that anxiety can come from a devastating experience someone has gone through (Felman 1). That experience could haunt you for years to come. The anxiety may not come immediately after but down the line years later it can creep up on you. If you have added stress on top of these different causes life is going to be a long and very difficult ride (Felman 1). In summary, there are many different triggers that can cause anxiety. Each person’s dealing with this disorder will be different.

Social Effects

    Anxiety affects society in many ways. Depending on how serious your case is, it can cause many problems socially. In some cases, you could call people with it socially awkward because the disorder can be so consuming. It could cause you to not be able to have a simple conversation with someone. There is even a type of anxiety called Social Anxiety which stems from being around people (Wu 1). Most of the time this would come from people you don’t know well or possibly at all. People who are family or close friends will be okay with. This can cause division between friend groups if they let it. It may be hard for friend groups to go out together if one friend has this type of anxiety. It could also make it hard for that person to get a job. The stress and anxiety of having to be social could be hard for that person. Anxiety works in a chain reaction. If someone you know has it, it's going to affect everyone around them in one way or another. Overall, anxiety has a negative effect on society.

Examples

The first example is a personal one. In the past, I have dealt with anxiety. After losing  my mom at the age of nine I experienced my fair share of anxiety. Getting older, it got worse and counseling was needed. I even experienced one or two panic attacks. A lot of this anxiety was not dealt with right after she passed away, so as I got older, it just harbored inside me. I have found counseling helped a lot. Counseling helped tremendously. But even more than counseling, my faith in Jesus Christ helped me during this time. God has a plan and purpose for everyone's life. When we draw close to God, he draws close to us. This is especially true during hard times. In this life we are going to go through different situations and experiences and through it, all God is with us.

The second example is from a man named Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh dealt with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. This was later found out in letters he wrote to his brother. He used words such as helpless, misery, and sadness (Popova). In 1888, he actually cut off his left ear (“On the Verge of Insanity” 1). There were supposedly many irrational things like this he did because of breakdowns. People viewed him as this great painter but he had so much going on not many knew about. Behind the scenes, he was miserable (Popova 1). Throughout his life, he tried to stay positive and find different distractions (Popova 1). Eventually, in 1890, Van Gogh committed suicide. He fought these disorders by trying to stay positive and busy, but, eventually, they got the best of him (“On the Verge of Insanity” 1). 

Study shows, 40 million people in the United States suffer from anxiety. This is 20% (one fifth) of the entire population (Morris 1). Another staggering stat shows that 321 million people miss days of work each year due to anxiety and depression (Morris 1). What is even more unimaginable is that only one in three people with anxiety seek treatment (Morris 1). When it comes to anxiety, the possible solutions are endless. The solutions to anxiety are condensed down to three categories. These three categories are medical treatment, natural treatment and self treatment.

            The first solution is medical treatment. This means consuming different medications. These medications are Xanax, Klonopin Valium, Ativan, Buspirone and Beta Blockers (“Anxiety Medication” 1). Another medical option is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS (“Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)” 1). To sum it up, this treatment induces an electric current to a specific part of the brain (“Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)” 1). This procedure is safe with few side effects (“Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)” 1).

            The next solution is natural treatment. The first way is through exercise (Villines 1). Exercising produces endorphins in your brain which are essentially natural painkillers. They also can improve sleeping which will help with reducing stress and anxiety (“Exercise for Stress and Anxiety” 1). Nextly, there is meditation/relaxation. This can include yoga, mindfulness, or plain meditation (Villines 1). This can help people that tend to be tense and clinched, take some time to calm nerves. This takes a conscientious effort to not let the stresses of life invade this time of relaxation. The next natural solution is writing. This can be anything from journaling to typing on a computer. This can let the person dealing with anxiety get a chance to express any thoughts or worries. It can help make sense of what is going on in their life and help get a better grasp on life (Villines 1). Nextly, there is time management. Life can get hectic and overwhelming. Everyday there are responsibilities, tasks and obligations. People struggle vastly with never seeming to have enough hours in one day. Everyone can only do so much everyday. We have to get our priorities in line and make time for the things that matter most in life (Villines 1). Another solution is spending time with animals. Animals bring joy, comfort and love. Overall, animals bring a sense of peace (Villines 1).

            The next set of solutions have to do with intake. First there is Aromatherapy. This can be scents from plant oils, essential oils, etc (Villines 1). Lavender is the most common type of scent that relieves anxiety and can offer help with sleeping. Nextly there is Cannabidiol (CBD) oil. This oil does not have THC which is  what causes getting “high” off marijuana (Villines 1). This oil is legal and has shown get results in helping with anxiety (Villines 1). Lastly, there is herbal teas and supplements. These help with sleep, anxiety, and overall health and well-being (Villines 1).

            The last solution is self treatment. The first self treatment solution is stress management. This can be conquered by setting yourself up for success (Felman 1). Nextly we have thinking positive thoughts. Thinking positively can change your whole life. That is crucial in overcoming anxiety (Felman 1). Nextly, having supportive people around you is vital. Instead of internalizing everything, choose to speak with someone you trust about your anxiety (Felman 1). Lastly there is changing your diet. Caffeine and sugar are big causes of anxiety. They can cause shakiness and make you light headed. These two things in moderation are okay (Department of Health and Human Services 1).

            Camus and Absurdity have some similarities and differences with the epidemic of anxiety. Camus believed that there was no meaning to life (Maguire 1). When it came to life, he believed there was no reason behind it and it was meaningless (Maguire 1). People that are struggling with anxiety may have similar beliefs. Anxiety can be so overwhelming, devastating and immense that life seems to have no meaning. It can suck the fun and enjoyment of life out of it. On the other hand, some people may overcome anxiety speedily. Depending on how severe the case is, some may conquer it faster than others. Camus would have believed anxiety would have one cure, which would be suicide. Since he believed that life had no meaning, why suffer through something?

            Anxiety is very real and millions are suffering from it each year (Morris 1). There are different stages and levels of it. Some people are going to overcome it quicker than other and that’s okay. Staying positive through the fight is key. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. In conclusion, there are a few helpful tips when it comes to prevention of anxiety. First, try to limit screen time (“9 Tips for Anxiety Relief & Management” 1). This can cause your mind to wander especially when trying to get to sleep. Next, have a schedule if at all possible (“9 Tips for Anxiety Relief & Management” 1). This helps there to be no surprises and things sneak up on you. Lastly, try to be as productive as possible (“9 Tips for Anxiety Relief & Management” 1). This can be anything from helping in the community to getting together with a group of friends every week. Staying busy and productive is key. There are three types of solutions: medical, natural and self treatment. Each person is gonna have a different way of overcoming anxiety. Finding which helps your fight against anxiety is vital.

Works Cited

“9 Tips for Anxiety Relief & Management.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-tips#1.

“Anxiety Medication.” HelpGuide.org, 20 Mar. 2019, www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm/.

“Anxiety Disorders.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 May 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961.

Crocq, Marc-Antoine. “A History of Anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM.” Dialogues in Clinical     Neuroscience, Les Laboratoires Servier, Sept. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610616/.

Department of Health & Human Services. “Managing and Treating Anxiety.” Better Health Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 31 Mar. 2014, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-treatment-options.

“Exercise for Stress and Anxiety.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/exercise-stress-and-anxiety.

Felman, Adam. “Anxiety Treatment: Self-Management, Therapy, and Medication.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323494.php.

Maguire, Laura. “Camus and Absurdity.” Philosophy Talk, www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity.

Morris, Richard W. “On Mental Health: I'm Not Sure Anxiety Is Rising.” Richard Morris, 11 Oct. 2016, richardwmorris.com/2016/10/12/on-mental-health-im-not-sure-anxiety-is-rising/.

“Our History.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/our-history.

“On the Verge of Insanity.” On the Verge of Insanity - Van Gogh Museum, www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/stories/on-the-verge-of-insanity#0.

Popova, Maria. “Van Gogh and Mental Illness.” Brain Pickings, 30 Mar. 2017, www.brainpickings.org/2014/06/05/van-gogh-and-mental-illness/.

Tracyn, Natasha. “History of Anxiety Disorders.” HealthyPlace, Healthy Place, 2 Oct. 2008, www.healthyplace.com/anxiety-panic/articles/history-of-anxiety-disorders.

“Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, Aug. 2016, adaa.org/finding-help/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation.

Villines, Zawn. “10 Natural Remedies for Reducing Anxiety and Stress.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322396.php

Wu, Tingting, et al. “The Impact of Anxiety on Social Decision-Making: Behavioral and Electrodermal Findings.” Social Neuroscience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632664/.