Anxiety is a feeling that is difficult to define unequivocally. It can affect each one of us since internal anxiety can appear both in the case of various transient difficult life situations, as well as in connection with mental disorders. So how to get rid of the feeling of internal anxiety, what are the causes of anxiety and why do we constantly feel internal anxiety?
People can experience their internal anxiety in different ways. However, it is not associated with common problems such as burning, itching, or pain. The most common complaints are feelings of internal anxiety in the chest or abdomen.
Anyone can experience non-specific internal anxiety – a child, a young woman, or a retiree. Theoretically, it might seem that such a condition is basically harmless, but in reality, the feeling of internal anxiety can also stem from serious health disorders of the patient.
ANXIETY: CAUSES
The feeling of internal anxiety is mainly related to one of the more common psychiatric problems, which are anxiety disorders (neurotic disorders). This feeling can occur in different individuals in this group, but the most typical feeling is during generalized anxiety disorder. Another possible cause of internal anxiety may be other mental disorders that are affective (mood) disorders.
However, it is not the case that every person who experiences anxiety has an anxiety disorder. Transient internal anxiety can arise in many different situations that every person comes into contact with. We are talking, for example, about overwork or contact with a completely new, stressful situation (such as changing jobs or homes). Therefore, anyone can experience internal anxiety, but to determine whether it is a serious problem, it is necessary to consider whether this feeling is accompanied by any other problems.
ANXIETY: SYMPTOMS
Internal anxiety can be particularly disturbing when it coexists with other diseases. Excessive worry, a sense of constant anxiety, and somatic problems such as sweating, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat, combined with attention and concentration disorders, as well as irritability, may be the result of the existence of neurotic disorders in the patient. Conversely, if internal anxiety is accompanied by a significant depression of mood in combination with loss of energy, sleep disorders, loss of appetite, and apathy, then there is a high probability that the patient is struggling with affective disorders.
ANXIETY: HOW TO DEAL WITH IT?
People with a feeling of internal anxiety due to mental disorders should definitely seek help from a professional. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychotherapist. The specific type of therapy depends on the cause of the internal anxiety, but as with neurotic disorders, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are used for mood disorders. If the patient is truly suffering from one of these conditions, the right treatment will allow them to get rid of the feeling of internal anxiety.
However, as already outlined, anxiety not only occurs in the context of mental disorders. It can be experienced in various situations that lead to only temporary “stress” on the adaptability of the human psyche. In such situations, various relaxation techniques can help to alleviate internal anxiety. There is no one universal remedy in this case – after all, each person relaxes in completely different situations. Breathing exercises may help one person, another may be physically active, and a third may spend time with friends. That is precisely why you need to listen to yourself – if you have internal anxiety and want to fight it, you should simply engage in activities that reduce your stress levels and allow you to relax.