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together in the brain to interpret and respond
to ​fear​. They can, however, harm one's mental health if they are hyperactive.
Anxiety is the most common mental
health illness in the United States, affecting approximately 40 million adults. Anxiety is an excessive and persistent fear about everyday events. It can change how a person behaves and processes their emotions. Not all cases of anxiety are severe; moderate cases can just be irritating, while more drastic can have a significant impact on daily activities. There is a difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder. Mild and occasional feelings of anxiety are healthy, but persistent and intrusive feelings of worry and concern are unhealthy, especially when they begin interfering with your everyday life. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include restlessness, unmanageable feelings of worry, increased irritability, concentration problems, and difficulty sleeping. Treatments for anxiety disorder include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication. In some cases, people suffering from anxiety order can treat themselves at home. There are various types of anxiety disorders, and talking to your doctor about your symptoms can help alleviate your anxiety.
​One of the many types of anxiety
disorders is panic disorder. Panic disorder causes panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of dread when there is no real
threat. Physical symptoms of this disorder include a rapid heartbeat, chest or stomach pain, breathing difficulty, weakness or dizziness, sweating, hot or cold chills, and tingly or numb hands. Panic attacks are random, which makes them even more
dangerous. The ​fear of having a panic
attack can overwhelm someone to the point where they'll refuse to leave their house. Panic disorder is another example of a way
excessive ​fear can harm someone’s
mental as well as physical health. The persistent fear that a person with this disorder is feeling can cause panic attacks when there might not even be real danger. As a result, a person’s social life as well as general health is hindered. Treatment such as therapy can help people with panic disorder get better.
​You or someone you know probably has one or more phobias. A phobia is an
excessive and rational ​fear reaction.
Some phobias are just irritating while others have more severe impacts. A phobia becomes harmful when it begins to interfere with work, school, and personal relationships. Phobias such as trypophobia,
the ​fear of irregular patterns or small
holes in clusters, can be harmless and only slightly irritating. Other phobias, such as social phobia, which is also known as a social anxiety disorder, can be crippling to someone’s daily life. Social phobia is the
Be Well Community Newsletter: Spring 2020