The Anxiety Timebomb
The Consequences of Rising Anxiety
We are constantly told that anxiety is rising and has become an omnipresent companion for many individuals. It affects all ages, who has immunity? Who are taught how to develop resilience? Were you? The causes in adults are wide and varied from the pressures of work and relationships to the constant barrage of subliminally influencing information through digital devices, there's a growing sense of unease that pervades our society and issues we collect on the journey of life. This phenomenon has been aptly termed the "anxiety time bomb," a ticking threat to mental health that, if left unchecked, can have devastating consequences. Prevention is less popular and fashionable than cure. But it is not a good plan to let ourselves get into the needing a cure zone is it? But that’s when most start looking for solutions and quick fixes.
Warning!
There are quality quick fixes and those which could lead to other problems (such as addiction to medication). But at the time people can make destructive choices. How do we get people to be preventative, effectively managing and stopping the dangerous anxiety zones?
I remember anxiety affecting my sleep and friends recommended an over the counter medicine which sedated me. No one was aware of the techniques we can use (that I now teach) to master anxiety AND sleep!
Anxiety, in its essence, is a natural response to stress or perceived threats. However, when this response becomes chronic or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can spiral into debilitating conditions and a threat to health and overall quality of life.
One of the most alarming consequences of escalating anxiety is its detrimental impact on mental health. Persistent feelings of worry, fear, and apprehension can lead to the development of
Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder
Paranoia
Destructive behaviour
Damaging relationships
Low self-esteem and confidence
“Infecting” others and teaching the young how and when to do anxiety
These conditions can significantly impair one's ability to function in daily life, affecting everything from work performance to personal relationships.
Moreover, anxiety often goes hand in hand with other mental health issues such as depression. The interplay between these conditions can create a vicious cycle, wherein anxiety exacerbates feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and vice versa. Left untreated, this cycle can spiral into a downward trajectory, robbing individuals of their zest for life and sense of purpose.
Beyond its impact on mental health, rising anxiety levels can also take a toll on physical well-being. Chronic stress and anxiety have been linked to a host of health problems, including cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal disorders, and compromised immune function. The constant activation of the body's stress response system can wreak havoc on various physiological processes, leaving individuals more susceptible to illness and disease.
Moreover, anxiety can have far-reaching consequences for one's personal and professional life. Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and maintaining positive relationships are common challenges faced by those grappling with anxiety. In the workplace, anxiety can hinder productivity and creativity, leading to mistakes, missed opportunities and stalled career advancement. In personal relationships, it can strain connections and erode intimacy, leaving individuals feeling isolated, alone and or in conflict.
In essence, the anxiety time bomb represents a pressing public health crisis that demands urgent attention and intervention but are mental health services are not coping.
By tackling anxiety head-on, we can mitigate its destructive impact and create a world where individuals can thrive, free from the shackles of fear and worry.
Thankfully the nature of my practice looks at methods to ease and stop the patterns of anxiety, equipping clients with methods they can use when faced with unwanted life difficulties. I am so grateful for this learning as I have had my fair share of life causing anxiety and trauma, and am proud to be proof of what is possible. Walking the talk has enabled me to be calm and resourceful in situations instead of having anxiety and being on medication. It helps me make my best choices too whereas the past is littered with anxiety fuelled mistakes.
Non Medication Solutions
There are methods people can use to change the ways their mind creates anxiety as well as techniques to use if anxiety rises or pounces. These I love to teach to young and old without them having to read long winded text books about what stress and anxiety is all about. We focus on what needs to happen for the psychological and physical pattern change.
Simply learning how we emotionally operate, identify the model of the responding and behaviour which is most beneficial we can design our anxiety activity. Seek out the people confident on changing anxiety without medication and substances. Methods like Emotional Freedom Techniques, Hypnosis and from NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming),