Is Anxiety A Mental Disorder?

Anxiety is a natural emotion that keeps us alive and safe. Our forefathers need it to escape being devoured by wild creatures. By anticipating dangers, they were better prepared to fight or flee if required. This enabled them to live and subsequently thrive.

Imagine a caveman returning from a hunt. He's lugging the huge carcass of a wild boar behind him. As he approaches the luminous cave where his brethren await him, he continuously looks about to make sure there are no other threats. If he was assaulted right now, it would be impossible to defend. He hasn't seen anything threatening in an hour, but his eyes continue to dart about. He checks his back every few seconds. Then he hears a stir in the woods beside him. He instantly thrusts his spear at the noise.

We may not face these kinds of challenges in our daily lives, but anxiety still has practical applications. Worrying a little about future mistakes or unpleasant effects helps us become more responsible. For example, when people experience minor worries about reaching a deadline, they gain incentive to complete their task ahead of schedule. When the work is completed, the anxiousness fades.

Mild, infrequent anxiety should not be treated or worried about. It is merely a component of regular neurological functioning. When worry reaches a particular degree of intensity and frequency, it loses its usefulness. Instead of boosting foresight, it causes misery and distraction. This level of constant anxiety makes it difficult to really enjoy life. It is frequently a sign of an anxiety problem.

Consider an employee who feels anxious while achieving deadlines or resting at home on a Friday night. Or, worse, consider someone who is continuously afraid they will die, despite the fact that there are no dangers to their lives.

What Constitutes Severe Anxiety?

Normal anxiety becomes severe when it ceases to serve as a valuable tool for encouraging you to take responsibility and begins to distract you from your everyday activities. If you believe that your worry is interfering with your typical routines and activities, or that it affects your enjoyment, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are serious illnesses caused by excessive anxiety and rumination.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people with anxiety as a mental disease experience persistent anxiety, which can interfere with daily tasks such as work performance and interpersonal interactions. Anxiety disorders often make people feel as if their anxiety is controlling them. Anxiety, for example, might prevent someone from flying, resulting in missed opportunities. Simply thinking about waking up and coping with worry all day might be scary. 

Here are some other signs that frequently suggest an anxiety disorder or other mental illness:

- Restlessness, agitation, or being on edge;

- Being easily exhausted;

- Difficulty focusing or becoming blank;

- Irritability;

- Muscle tension;

- Difficulty managing concern;

- Sleep issues (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfactory sleep).

Is Crying a Sign of Anxiety?

According to a 2016 study, persons who suffer from anxiety are more likely to find crying uncontrollable, despite the fact that it might help them relieve stress. However, crying is not often a sign of nervousness. Crying can indicate weariness and exhaustion, both of which are signs of worry. Anxiety symptoms may also include chest discomfort, flushed skin, a rapid heart rate, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.

If you feel you have an anxiety condition or any mental disease, consult a competent therapist to get a diagnosis. You may also look at other anxiety treatment solutions and coping strategies. They often entail a mix of addressing anxiety-causing attitudes and leading a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and meditation.