When I experience an anxiety attack, it’s not just a fleeting moment of mild discomfort. Unlike the exaggerated portrayals of “panic attacks” often depicted on reality TV, my episodes begin with my muscles tightening, particularly in my chest. My husband can sense it immediately; he sees something in my expression that signals impending distress. “Just breathe,” he urges softly. But breathing becomes a challenge. My breaths turn into hitches, then desperate gasps, and even though I know in my rational mind that I’m not in any real danger, it feels as though I’m trapped in a cage, fighting against my own body.
These episodes can be so overwhelming that we once considered getting a service dog to help manage them, until medication helped bring them under control. After an attack, I often feel drained and need to rest. I’ve been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) by a highly respected psychiatrist, and before medication, even getting dressed could trigger a mental breakdown. I often felt isolated, convinced that my social anxiety led my friends to judge me harshly. Although I excelled academically, I struggled with crippling feelings of inadequacy, an experience I’ve had since I was just eight years old.
It’s infuriating to see the term “anxiety” casually thrown around in our culture today. As noted in the UK’s Metro, it sometimes feels like there’s an incessant conversation about anxiety and depression that can inadvertently minimize the experiences of those truly suffering. When people casually discuss their “anxiety,” it tends to dilute the severity of what individuals with genuine anxiety disorders endure. As highlighted in Vice’s Tonic column, this misuse of terminology undermines the serious nature of anxiety, making it harder for those affected to be taken seriously.
People often conflate general life stress with anxiety. They might worry about paying bills, handling tantrums from toddlers, or managing a chaotic household. However, anxiety becomes a disorder when these everyday worries begin to dominate one’s life. As Shanthi Mogali, director of psychiatry at Mountainside Treatment Center, explains, “Normal experiences of nervousness or worry transform into abnormal anxiety when they start to consume your daily life.”
For instance, the struggle of choosing an outfit can spiral into a meltdown over making the perfect impression at a store. You might obsess over the safety of loved ones, envisioning every possible disaster, or fret about the future of your children, convinced they will resent you forever. Even thoughts of global issues like nuclear war can invade your mind, leading to sleepless nights and panic.
Gina, a 26-year-old quoted in the UK’s Metro, aptly points out that there’s a vast difference between feeling anxious and suffering from anxiety. While everyday stresses are transient and manageable, anxiety can manifest as a debilitating illness that demands a lifetime of management. We must be mindful in our language and clarify the distinction between “worry” and “anxiety.” Feeling upset about something does not automatically indicate a psychological disorder.
In my own experience with GAD, the severity can be so debilitating that I rely on medication just to function each day. While I still experience normal forms of nervousness—like whether my dog will perform well in obedience class or if my kids are making friends—these feelings are part of the human experience. It’s essential to recognize that most worries are within the realm of normalcy unless they become obsessive and crippling, at which point they evolve into an anxiety disorder.
Acknowledging this difference is crucial, as failing to do so dismisses the real struggles faced by those with GAD, social anxiety disorder, or OCD. This mischaracterization can also prevent individuals from seeking the help they desperately need.
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In summary, distinguishing between feeling anxious and experiencing anxiety is vital for understanding the depth of mental health issues. It’s essential to use precise language to ensure that those genuinely suffering feel validated and supported.
Keyphrase: Understanding Anxiety vs. Feeling Anxious
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