After a long, exhausting day, you're finally lying in bed and looking forward to a good night's sleep. But instead of sleeping, your mind is constantly racing. You think about the upcoming presentation at work, the important meeting with your landlord or the endless to-do list for the next few days. And then your heart starts beating faster, your breathing becomes shallower and a stressful feeling of anxiety sets in. Everyone is familiar with these moments of worry and nervousness, but for some people they are omnipresent and overwhelming. This constant, intense fear is called anxiety or anxiety disorder. Anxiety therefore encompasses much more than occasional worry or stress. It is a condition that can have a significant impact on life - physically and mentally. People with anxiety are afraid to leave the house because something bad might happen. They avoid social gatherings to avoid being judged or rejected. They constantly wonder whether they will live up to the expectations of friends, family or colleagues. And this huge carousel of thoughts takes up all their attention and concentration. But there is help! In this blog post, we would like to take a closer look at the topic of anxiety. We will look at the different types of anxiety disorders and how you can recognize whether you may be affected. We will then look at possible treatment methods. Above all, we want to show you the little things you can do yourself every day to find more peace and serenity again soon.
Content:
1 What types of anxiety disorders are there?
2 Do I have an anxiety disorder? Recognize symptoms in good time
3 What to do if you have an anxiety disorder? Treatment that promises success
4. make your everyday life easier - with regular acupressure against anxiety
What types of anxiety disorders are there?
Anxiety disorders are varied and can manifest themselves in different ways. Each type of anxiety has its own symptoms and challenges, but they can all have a major impact on daily life. It is therefore important to recognize these disorders at an early stage. This is because appropriate treatment options can significantly improve the quality of life of those affected. Here are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): People with GAD worry excessively about everyday things such as work, health, finances or family problems. Compared to people without anxiety, they find it difficult to control or manage these worries. On the contrary, anxiety is often the only thing that determines the lives of those affected.
- Social anxiety disorder: If you suffer from social anxiety disorder, this is usually manifested by an intense fear of social situations in which you could be judged negatively (performance anxiety or relationship anxiety). For some sufferers, this fear is so overwhelming that they increasingly avoid social activities and interactions, which naturally creates a vicious circle.
- Specific phobias: A specific phobia is a severe fear of certain objects or situations that are not actually dangerous. Examples of this are fear of heights, fear of flying or fear of certain animals. Spiders and snakes are certainly the classics here.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Those who suffer from OCD have unwanted recurring anxious thoughts (compulsions) that can only be alleviated by certain behaviors (rituals). For example, a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder is constantly worried that they have forgotten to close doors, switch off lights or turn off electrical appliances. To calm themselves down, they check this repeatedly (and sometimes for a long time).
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The causes of this anxiety disorder often lie in a traumatic event that constantly recurs through intense, frightening thoughts and memories. These flashbacks put the patient in the same situation again and again, which can severely affect everyday life and lead to enormous stress.
- Separation anxiety disorder: Particularly in children, but also in adults, this disorder is characterized by an excessive fear of separation from caregivers. This fear can lead to strong emotional reactions and classic avoidance behavior.
- Panic disorder: Panic disorder is the most unpredictable of all anxiety disorders because it is characterized by sudden and intense panic attacks that occur without warning. This anxiety disorder can cause severe physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness and a feeling of loss of control.
Do I have an anxiety disorder? Recognize symptoms in time
If some of the above examples sound familiar to you and you are now wondering whether you have an anxiety disorder, then you should consider the following: everyone has occasional fears or worries. An anxiety disorder is only present when these fears are long-lasting and so intense that they interfere with your daily life. In this case, you may want to take a closer look at a few signs of an anxiety disorder. Observe yourself "from the outside" in your everyday behavior and answer the following questions honestly:
- Do you often worry a lot about small, everyday things?
- Do you often have unfathomable palpitations, trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, stomach problems or dizziness?
- Do you have problems falling asleep or sleeping through the night, i.e. do you wake up constantly or do you sleep restlessly most of the time?
- Do you avoid certain places, situations or activities because they might cause you anxiety?
- Do you find it difficult to concentrate or maintain focus, even in a quiet environment?
- Are you easily irritable or do you constantly feel like you're on the go?
What to do for anxiety disorders? Treatment that promises success
If you now believe that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, you should of course seek professional help. A therapist or doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and help you develop a treatment plan (anxiety treatment). The good news is that anxiety disorders can be treated in a variety of ways. There are different approaches that can be helpful in dealing with different anxieties. One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy helps you to recognize and change the negative thought patterns that contribute to your anxiety. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises or yoga can also help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Acupressure can also help to loosen up tensions, especially physical tensions. By stimulating acupressure points, for example with an acupressure mat, you can relieve tension and stimulate your circulation. We will go into more detail about this very practical method for combating anxiety in a moment. Many users report that they feel much lighter and more carefree after using the acupressure mat. Why not try it out for yourself?
Make your everyday life easier - with regular acupressure against anxiety
Acupressure can be used in various ways to relieve anxiety. One popular method is the use of acupressure mats, which are equipped with thousands of small spikes. You simply lie on them and they do their work: they relax your muscles and stimulate your circulation. This can not only promote your general well-being, but also reduce anxiety. You need to know this: Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, insomnia and stomach problems. Acupressure can help alleviate these symptoms by reducing muscle tension, improving circulation and supporting the function of internal organs. The stimulation of acupressure points also releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and happiness hormones. These have a positive effect on mood, which can be particularly helpful for anxiety. Our tip: Beginners start with a mat with lots of points, as the pressure is distributed more comfortably here. Advanced users can relax perfectly on fewer tips. You can also use the short time-out on the mat to mentally "wind down" a little - with a short thought journey or meditation. The practice of acupressure also promotes mindfulness and awareness of your own body. By regularly taking time just for yourself, you develop a routine of self-care. In this way, you get to know your body better, which can also help you to better understand and control anxiety.