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The constant feeling that something is wrong or something will go wrong is not a feeling anyone would like to consume their mind at any point in time. How to explain Anxiety? You cannot explain anxiety by a basic definition; it is a lot more. Different for everyone, with contrasting symptoms, unrelated causes, and individual triggers, anxiety depends on them.
1. What Is Anxiety?
Every person has been anxious at some point in their life. For example- feeling nervous before a presentation, hands trembling during a test, or the butterflies in your stomach before meeting a special someone, all these scenarios make you feel anxious.
Feeling anxious on occasion is a natural bodily response and poses no threat to your mental well-being. But anxiety has various types and depending on its severity, every individual suffers from different symptoms.
There are many types of anxiety; in this article, we will talk about the five major types of anxiety so that you can answer the question of how to explain anxiety.
2. Types Of Anxiety
2.1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
A person constantly worries, without any reason for most days, over six months at least.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety disorder:
- Increase in Heart-rate.
- Feeling restless.
- Difficulty in falling Asleep.
- Lack of concentration.
- Easily irritable.
- Getting tired easily
- Constantly feeling agitated
2.2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
An anxiety disorder that forces you to have unwanted thoughts referred to as obsessions compelling you to do repetitive behaviors known as compulsions.
Obsessions:
- Fear of getting contaminated by germs.
- Feeling uneasiness with lack of symmetry, precision, or order.
- Fear of getting embarrassed.
- Fear of making mistakes.
Compulsions:
- Repeating things or always trying to keep items in order.
- Washing hands several times.
- Repeating specific words
2.3. Panic Disorder
Panic attacks occur even when there is no real danger which creates a feeling of terror. Panic attacks can happen anywhere, and they can be controlled if the places that trigger these attacks are avoided. Keeping negative thoughts out of your mind is also the key to avoiding panic attacks.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder:
- Fast heartbeat.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Pain in chest and stomach.
- Feeling hot and cold.
- Dizziness and fatigue.
2.4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The anxiety disorder develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder range from person to person. Some may experience these symptoms right after the terrifying event, while some may develop the symptoms years later.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Disorder:
- Nightmares.
- Flashbacks.
- Difficulty in concentrating.
- Easily startled or frightened.
- Avoiding stuff that reminds you of the event
2.5. Social Phobia
Social phobia, also referred to as social anxiety disorder, is a type of anxiety where you are scared to be present in social gatherings. Speaking in front of a crowd feels like a nightmarish experience, and anyone with a social phobia will do anything to avoid these situations.
Symptoms of Social Phobia:
- Feeling nauseous.
- Blushing, sweating, trembling.
- Increased heart rate.
- Avoiding eye-contact.
- Avoiding initiating a conversation.
- Feeling easily awkward and embarrassed.
These are the five major anxieties people suffer in their daily life, and only a group of people come out and talk about their mental illness with people around them.
3. How To Explain Anxiety?
Talking about anxiety is not an easy task, but firstly you should be fully aware of the type of anxiety. It is the first step towards answering the question, how to explain anxiety? Telling people suffering from anxiety to talk about it is like telling a person to lick their elbows. Not every person can do it, and that’s fine.
Forcing an already anxious person to come out of their comfort zone can really worsen their anxiety. But some people need a little push to overcome their anxious thoughts. As we talked about before, it all depends on the individual as no one is the same and no one suffers from the same type of anxiety, and each individual has different coping mechanisms.
People or, more specifically, teenagers with anxiety have a looming thought of how to explain anxiety to parents on their minds constantly. Feeling disappointed in themselves that they are not good enough for their parents or fearing the consequences when talking about anxiety to their parents makes them more closed-off and sometimes worsens their condition.
And these thoughts are not entirely wrong, and some parents might not understand the problems that their children are dealing with, while some may brush off them like it is normal. But it’s not; it really is not normal. You should talk it out, and if you need help, you should seek it out and get better.
Asking for help is normal, and no one should make you feel inferior for it, not even your own parents.
4. How To Explain Anxiety To Parents?
The best guide you can follow while answering the question of how to explain anxiety to your parents is as follows:
4.1. Explain What You Are Feeling
Tell them about what you are feeling and how it is taking a toll on your day-to-day activities. For example, if you get scared when you have to go out to social gatherings and don’t know how to speak to new people or have nightmares and flashbacks of an event that terrifies you, tell your parents about it.
Make them understand how these feelings are making you unable to focus on your daily activities. It will not be easy to express what you feel to them, and you have to let it out once. Once you open up, you will automatically feel a bit relieved, and now you will have a support system, your parents with you to overcome this battle of anxiety.
4.2. Choose The Right Moment
Everyone knows that you cannot bring up a serious issue with certain moments with your family. Choose the perfect time, when you feel you will be heard with no disturbance. Most importantly, you should be ready to lay out all your feelings to them. Until and unless you are not sure if you can do this, they might not help with your condition, and the solution they may suggest could even worsen your anxiety.
4.3. Do Not Wait For A Long Time
If you experience any anxiety symptoms, whether they are serious or not, do not suffer them alone. Being alone can sometimes give you peace, but being lonely can worsen your anxiety. Take your time, but the sooner you talk with your parents, the sooner they will take measures to lower your anxiety and make you feel better.
4.4. There Is Nothing Wrong With Asking For Help
The people you will be talking to are your parents, who gave you birth, the one who wants you happy at all times. It really should not make you feel insecure or conscious while asking for their help. Parents ask us for help, too, right? Without feeling embarrassed because they know that they are not going to get judged.
Similarly, they are never going to judge you or make you feel inadequate. Just ask for help, talk to them, and you will instantly feel that a weight is lifted from your shoulder.
4.5. Try Again
There can be a situation where your parents will not understand what you are trying to tell. They may say what you are feeling is not serious and happens to everyone at some point in their life. Tell them that what you are feeling is not just a temporary feeling.
Explain to them what anxiety exactly is because not everyone is aware of the harmful consequences of anxiety on people’s well-being. If you feel that they are still not understanding your point, ask them to meet a specialist. Or you can also ask for help from your family members to make your parents understand more easily and effectively.
Following these points sometimes may not result in a positive outcome. There can be situations where your parents will not be able to help you with your anxiety. But it does not mean that you have kept it all bottled up inside you. Talking to an adult that you trust or feel comfortable with can also be very beneficial.
Family members, like your aunt, uncle, grandparents or teachers in your school, counselors, and anyone with whom you can share your feelings.
5. For Parents
If your child speaks up about their anxious thoughts, never brush them off as normal feelings. The only way you can make them feel better is by listening to them because it is never easy for an anxious person to share their thoughts freely. Make sure that the children feel that they are being heard.
Ask them if they need you to do anything. Monitor their symptoms and if you feel that they are not getting better, take them to a therapist. Anxiety cannot be cured, but its effect can be lessened if proper treatment is provided at the right time.
6. Conclusion
Having anxiety will make you feel insecure, and it surely takes a toll on both your body and mind. If your parents or anyone is beside you in this journey of overcoming anxiety, it will be over in one day, and the question of how to explain anxiety will be long forgotten.
Anxiety can arise from various factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality traits, and life experiences. Some individuals may have a predisposition to anxiety due to a family history of anxiety disorders. Stressful events like trauma, major life changes, or ongoing stressful situations can also trigger or exacerbate anxiety.
Anxiety can manifest in physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Physical symptoms may include a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, tense muscles, or stomach discomfort. Emotionally, anxiety often involves feelings of excessive worry, fear, irritability, restlessness, or a sense of impending doom. Behavioral symptoms can include avoidance of certain situations, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, or changes in appetite.
FAQs
1. How can I explain anxiety to someone who doesn’t experience it?
A: When explaining anxiety to someone who doesn’t experience it, you can compare it to the feeling they may have before an important exam or presentation. Explain that anxiety is similar but often more intense and persistent, affecting daily life and causing excessive worry even when there is no immediate threat.
2. Are there different types of anxiety disorders?
A: Yes, anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Specific Phobias, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are some examples. Each disorder has its own specific characteristics and symptoms.
3. How can I support someone with anxiety?
A: To support someone with anxiety, it’s essential to be understanding, patient, and non-judgmental. Encourage them to seek professional help if needed and offer to accompany them to appointments. Be a good listener and avoid dismissing or belittling their feelings. Learn about their triggers and help create a supportive and calm environment when possible.
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Last Updated on by Anudeep
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