Chronic anxiety, what does it consist of?

Chronic anxiety affects thousands of people around the world. Excessive worry over time, sleep disturbances, constant pressure in the chest, fears, anticipating fatalities every now and then… Life in such a mental universe is not easy, however, weeks, months and even are allowed to pass. the years. There are better times and worse times, it is true, but the wear and tear is immense.

To the question of how someone can live with this reality for so long, the answer may catch our attention. One becomes accustomed to suffering. He does it because These conditions appear already in adolescence or at the beginning of youth. We “get used” to that style of thinking, to a body and mind that react in an exaggerated way to problems, to the daily complications of life.

«I’m like that, what can I do, I have an anxious personality» is the justification that many people make. Nevertheless, They are also aware when comparing themselves with others that there is something that is not right. Because there is a pattern of thinking that damages and weakens, that extinguishes illusions and hopes every day.

Let’s learn a little more about this topic.

Chronic anxiety: definition, symptoms and treatment

Going from an anxious mind to a serene mind is not easy. Above all, when we suffer from chronic anxiety, that is, when we live for months and years with a psychological state in which worry, fear and anguish are disproportionate. The most complicated thing about all of this is that those who suffer from it make an effort to hide it, to disguise it, to appear to others that everything is fine.

So, In this desire to demonstrate high competence and normality, only energy is consumed.. Furthermore, anxiety feeds back, making it more chronic.

From psychology, we are aware of the high complexity of these realities. In fact, studies such as those carried out at the University of California by Dr. Alexander Bystrisky tell us something important. Although anxiety is not as striking at first glance as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder, it is just as disabling.. What’s more, something quite common is having people who carry this anxiety for years, to the point of leading to more serious conditions, such as major depression. It is a priority, therefore, to give an early response and prevent this anguish from extending over time.

What symptoms does chronic anxiety present?

Anxiety has many forms, many faces and each person can experience it in a particular way. Works by prominent authors such as Aaron T. Beck, Albert Ellis, Paul Watzlawick or MH Erickson have delved into this area and have left us valuable strategies to understand and address these situations a little better.

To speak of chronic anxiety is to define a psychological state that lasts longer than 6 months. It is not a simple time of worry or a bad streak. Let’s see what the most common symptoms and signs are:

Excessive worry.Fears and tendency to anticipate negative events. Concentration problems. Difficulties in solving problems since the mind always anticipates the worst and blocks itself.Feeling of anguish and guilt. The person with chronic anxiety does not understand why they feel that way and blames themselves for it. Restlessness and agitation due to high levels of adrenaline. Phobias may appear.Sleep disturbances.Tachycardia, pressure in the chest.Exhaustion.Hot flashes or chills.Lightheadedness or tingling sensations.Muscle pain or discomfort. Feeling of being on the limit or under pressure.Having the feeling of a lump in your throat or difficulty swallowing.

What could be behind chronic anxiety?

Chronic anxiety is not a clinical condition as such, it defines a state in which discomfort and distress go beyond 6 months. So, In most cases, what we have behind these situations is a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This psychological entity is more common than we think, so much so that we can sometimes have patients who have been suffering from this situation since adolescence.

If we ask ourselves about the triggers, in many cases the following events usually include:

Factors associated with personality. Having a tendency to feed negative thinking, not having strategies to manage worries, low self-esteem or insecurity can be associated factors.Genetic factors. lGenetic factors may play a role in causing anxiety. A person is more likely to have it if a biological relative has it. However, a stable and calm family life can help offset the genetic risk.Environmental factors. Trauma, stress, or other negative environmental factors can make someone more likely to develop chronic anxiety. It is important to recognize whether a history of trauma is causing the anxiety, because anxiety caused by trauma requires different therapeutic approaches than other types of anxiety.Social problems. The biggest social problems like climate changediscrimination, political factors, or a pandemic can make anxiety worse.

What types of treatments exist?

Anxiety has treatment. Any type of mood disorder can be addressed thanks to psychological therapy. In some cases, the strategy can be combined with psychotropic drugs, but the most effective resource to treat the root of the problem and enable the person to manage chronic anxiety is psychotherapy. The technique of systematic desensitization, such as Jacobson’s progressive relaxation techniques, are very useful therapeutic approaches.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as acceptance and commitment therapy, can be of great help.. The most important thing is that the patient learns to develop more rational, reflective thoughts aimed at obtaining greater control and well-being in their daily lives. Anxiety is not going to disappear from your life, it will always be present, but if you know how to manage it, it will stop being a burden and an impediment to achieving well-being.

Other strategies to deal with chronic anxiety are:

Work on stability: One of the most important aspects of coping with chronic anxiety is to do everything you can to have a stable life. While therapy and medication are effective, nothing is as effective as the right environment and people, so change what you can.Recognize anxious thoughts: accept the thoughts irrational and Do not treat them as if they were an absolute truth. Develop coping skills: The person may need some different coping skills for different levels of anxiety. Really high anxiety might respond to a different technique than mid-level anxiety. Practice yoga or meditation: adopt some form of meditation, yoga or full consciousness. There are many different types of mindfulness practices that can have positive effects on anxiety.

Living with chronic anxiety is difficult. Those who suffer from it experience physical and emotional symptoms that prevent them from functioning normally in their daily lives. Seeking treatment and developing coping skills can be very helpful in reducing symptoms and better managing the condition. Let us not hesitate, therefore, to request expert help when we need it. Going from an anxious mind to a calm mind is within our reach.

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