Anxiety

“Apprehension ad anxiety, worries and concerns, injure the spirit”

Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, from 2nd century BCE

Worry, or anxiety, is thought to serve a useful evolutionary purpose. It has enabled us to anticipate danger and difficulty and plan strategies to deal with them. Moderate worry helps us deal more effectively and safely with our environment and the world, as long as it remains under our control. However, it becomes harmful when it is excessive and we are unable to free ourselves from its tight grip.

COMMON SIGNS, SYMPTOMS (MAYO CLINIC):

Feeling restless, nervous, or tense
Having a sense of impending doom, panic, or danger
Rapid heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling fatigued
Trouble focusing or thinking about anything other than the present issue/worry
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal (GI) problems
Obsessive worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”

Abraham H. Maslow, 1908-1970

THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING AN ANXIETY DISORDER:

Trauma

Children who endured abuse or trauma or witnessed traumatic events are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder at some point in life. Adults who experience a traumatic event also can develop anxiety disorders.

Stress due to an illness

Having a health condition or serious illness can cause significant worry about issues such as your treatment and your future.

Stress buildup

A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress, or ongoing worry about finances.

Personality

People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others.

Other mental health disorders

People with other mental health disorders, such as depression, often also have an anxiety disorder

Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders can run in families.

Drugs or alcohol

Drug or alcohol use or misuse or withdrawal can cause or worsen anxiety

Tapping Technique to Acupressure Pt - KI27: (feel your collar bone (bilaterally) - move your hands as far center as possible still resting on the collar bone - move fingers directly below the collar bone - with fingers still on it - and tap continuously until you feel some relief.

BREATHE

Inhale and then exhale as much as you can - try to exhale several counts LONGER than you inhale. This will tell the body, “There is no tiger to run from, I am safe.”

“Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it? Supposing it didn’t, said Pooh after careful thought. Piglet was comforted by this.”

A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, 1928