Anxiety is a common emotion that affects many people in different ways. It is often described as a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Anxiety can be a normal and healthy response to stress, but it can also be overwhelming and debilitating.
At its core, anxiety is just a fear. It is the body’s response to perceived danger or threat. When we feel anxious, our body releases a flood of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body to respond to the perceived danger by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
However, anxiety can become problematic when it is out of proportion to the situation or when it interferes with daily activities. For example, a person with an anxiety disorder may feel excessively worried about everyday situations, such as going to work or school, or may avoid certain activities altogether.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States. They affect about 40 million adults in the U.S. age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
Anxiety can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of therapy used to treat anxiety disorders. It can help people learn to recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their anxiety. Medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, can also be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a psychotherapy treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. It is a relatively new form of therapy that was developed in the 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro.
EMDR therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can help people to process and integrate traumatic memories, which can reduce or eliminate the emotional and behavioral problems associated with them, such as anxiety. It’s considered a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of anxiety disorders, and it can be done in a relatively short-term.
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that traumatic or distressing memories are stored in the brain in a way that makes them difficult to process and integrate into a person’s emotional and cognitive functioning. These unprocessed memories can lead to a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety.
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. It has also been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety in people who have experienced traumatic events, such as sexual or physical abuse, accidents, or natural disasters.
EMDR therapy is a relatively short-term treatment, typically lasting 8-12 sessions. It is considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.
It’s important to understand that anxiety is a normal emotional response to stress and danger, but when it becomes overwhelming and debilitating, it’s time to seek professional help.
In conclusion, Anxiety is a fear, it is a normal emotional response to stress and danger, and it can be treated with therapy and medication. If you are struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out for help, you are not alone.