[CelestialFlame]

Hello, I do not get anxious but I am curious and wondered if anyone can describe what anxiety feels like, what causes it, and how they fix it. Please and thanks.

[Reagan85]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Hello, I do not get anxious but I am curious and wondered if anyone can describe what anxiety feels like, what causes it, and how they fix it. Please and thanks.

Anxiety differs from person to person, so it’s difficult to say what it feels like, because different people will have different experiences of it. But generally speaking, anxiety is about fear.

Some people fear very specific things, such as car accidents, and other people have very generalised feelings of fear, where it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what they are afraid of.

Anxiety is caused by a number of factors, and isn’t attributable to just one thing. Things that can cause or play a role in an anxiety disorder diagnosis include: family history of mental illness, life stresses such as an illness or a loss in the family, a lack of self esteem, and also some physical illnesses.

Anxiety isn’t something that is “fixable” exactly, but it is extremely treatable. There are medications that can be prescribed to treat symptoms, and therapy can also help. It really depends on the person.

Hope this helps! :-)

When I get anxious, I breathe faster and shorter breaths. My heart beats harder. I become agitated and restless. I cannot focus and stay still. I feel a sense of fear.

What causes it sometimes immediate and clear, like the thought of something dreadful, on others it happens for no obvious reason. Probably because of some suppressed memories.

People suggest to take medications, and practice meditation to control it. I listen to a soothing music and try to distract myself by doing something where I can engage, and sometimes take a warm shower to relax my body.

[sarahsweets]

Anxiety is very subjective and can have many causes. Sometimes it seems like there is no cause... sometimes its our chemical imbalance or our perceptions. I do not know if its "fixable" in that if there is a specific reasons then maybe it can be overcome but many times it is a whole bunch of stuff and you cant just eliminate all that stuff and be in the clear. Your best bet is to learn some coping skills so you can get through the anxiety and in some case medication helps.

[CelestialFlame]

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?

[seeker33]

Fear is when you know your specific object or that something specific is going to happen. For example fear of heights, dentist, fear of fire or rejection.
Anxiety is more abstract and sometimes we can't say exactly what we're afraid of. It can be social, or anxiety that you suddenly get in the supermarket and it feels like you're going to die. Or you get a panic attack in public transport. Or you slightly cut your finger when you're chopping vegetables and your body reacts as if you are going to die. You feel out of control, that something terrible happened to you and your life is influenced by random accidents beyond your control. You begin shaking, breathing fast, feeling like you're about to pass out.
So fear is "simpler" meaning it's easy to identify the cause and solve it. Anxiety is rooted much deeper, is more complex and can reflect feelings of not being in control, not fitting in the society, powerlessness, being physically overwhelmed by light, noise, crowds of people..
It also involves the anxiety of trying to be perfect, anxiety that people don't like you, anxiety about the future.
It's very different than fear of snakes or needles.