Being nervous or anxious are human emotions, but when the problem gets out of hand, it’s time to see a health care provider. Here’s 7 things that can happen to your health if you don’t take action for anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are common among adults in the United States, with up to 30 percent of the cohort having the disorder. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include feeling anxious for no good reason or developing an acute feeling of anxiety that develops into panic.
When these problems go untreated, anxiety can wreak havoc on the quality of your daily life, which is why it’s important to seek treatments for anxiety breathlessness, and other related problems when they occur.
#1 – Digestive Issues
Anxiety can negatively affect your health, and digestive issues are one of the most common problems associated with it. People with anxiety often complain about cramping, diarrhea, and nausea. They may lose weight from not feeling hungry, and some might turn to food to find comfort. Some people might develop problems like stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease.
#2 – Neurological Problems
When suffering from anxiety, people tend to have an active sympathetic nervous system that is constantly preparing for fight or flight. This part of the nervous system isn’t meant to be active all day, but anxiety activates it. Then, when it calms, it can cause people to have sleep problems and issues with healing. People who are always on edge tend to have problems related to muscle tension, headaches, and joint pain.
#3 – Cardiovascular Problems
Increased blood pressure and heart rate issues can arise when anxious people are feeling excessive stress.
#4 – General Health Problems
People suffering from anxiety tend to have problems with their general health. When the sympathetic nervous system is active, it boosts the immune system, but when it works in overdrive, it causes issues with the immune system. People with anxiety eventually struggle to fight infections and recover from illnesses.
#5 – Relationships
Relationships bring people happiness, but people with anxiety disorders tend to avoid spending time with others. They worry about trying new things or meeting new people because they are afraid of rejection. It’s easier to become socially isolated, which only leads to more problems especially related to loneliness.
#6 – Addiction
Anxiety tends to go hand-in-hand with substance abuse and addiction. Anxious people find that substances can calm their nerves, even if the relief is only temporary. Unfortunately, anxious feelings return and people with anxiety need more substances to find reprieve. Benzodiazepines can help people manage their anxiety, but this medication can be addictive. Rather than turning to addictive substances, it’s better to manage addiction with cognitive behavioral therapy and less addictive medications like SSRIs.
#7 – Quality of Life
Anxiety disorders make life less enjoyable. People with this disorder constantly live in fear – especially of the future. Health care providers can help you manage your anxiety, so you can try new things, meet new people, and not feel out of control. Anxiety disorders can cause people to fear things that haven’t happened yet, so they actually fear nothing at all. Living with uncontrollable anxiety can prevent people from living up to their potential.
1 Comment
You’ve covered the topic in such an easy-to-understand way. Thanks for making it accessible to everyone.