Anxiety disorders: how does normal anxiety differ from pathological anxiety?
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- regular panic attacks;
- alarms about the alarm;
- fear of leaving the house;
- physical symptoms of stress (for example, diarrhea), etc.
The manifestations are very diverse. The common thing is that anxiety in such conditions is called pathological. And today we will focus on exactly what is the difference between normal and pathological anxiety.
We often say that it is natural to experience anxiety. Normal anxiety is also called adaptive anxiety. It is short-lived, portable, and has no negative impact on meaningful relationships, activities, or states.
- Normal anxiety is a feeling of discomfort, which can manifest itself in a whole complex: from anxiety, thoughts about possible unpleasant events to physical sensations of rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, unpleasant sensations in the stomach.
Such anxiety is always associated with a situation that is perceived as dangerous. If we get into a situation of uncertainty, uncertainty, then in such conditions it can increase. However, there is no clear negative impact on life and condition. As the information is received, the action plan, the situation is resolved, and the alarm level decreases.
- This is not the case with pathological anxiety. This is a pronounced, strong anxiety. It is either not related to a dangerous situation at all, or it significantly exceeds the real threat of the situation.
This type of anxiety negatively affects all areas of life, relationships, productivity, and limits opportunities. Pathological anxiety can be in the form of seizures, as for example in a panic disorder, or it can be permanent, as in a generalized anxiety disorder. When the anxiety seems to support itself and persists in the form of a background, then weakening, then increasing.
Let's look at the difference between these states using an example.
The first option
The person did not sleep for several nights, worked hard, experienced overload and at the height of exhaustion, he developed a panic attack. One. After rest and recovery, it did not recur and the condition completely returned to normal. In this case, we are talking about a completely understandable reaction to overload and exhaustion.
The second option
After a long stressful, stressful period, a panic attack occurs. And after a while, it repeats itself, becomes a regular phenomenon. And now panic attacks happen several times a week and are no longer associated with specific situations. Then we are talking about a panic disorder and already about specialized treatment.
We see that pathological anxiety is not just anxiety, but a condition that has a negative impact on a person's life, develops with the addition of new symptoms and does not go away by itself without the necessary help from specialists (psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists).
In the treatment of anxiety disorders, drug therapy and psychotherapy are equally represented. How exactly to combine them or use them sequentially, or choose one thing, you decide together with your doctor.
Remember that many situations are easier to solve with timely treatment.
Take care of yourself and seek medical help on time!
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