(pleasant comforting music) – [Amanda] Hey there psych2-goers and welcome back to our channel. We wanted to let you know
that your ongoing support helps us make psychology and mental health more accessible to everyone. So thank you all so much for
the love that you’ve given us. Before we begin, we wanted
to remind you that this video is meant for informative purposes only and is not meant to be a
diagnostic tool for mental illness. Please reach out to a
mental health professional or your doctor if you think you might be struggling with anxiety. With that said, let’s begin. Anxiety seems to be so
mainstream these days and people are feeling more
stressed out than ever. However, there is a difference
between experiencing anxiety and having an anxiety disorder. Feelings of nervousness or
restlessness will go away but people with anxiety disorders get no such break from their symptoms. This can change the way you communicate, behave, and even think. In today’s video, we will be
talking about eight struggles that people with anxiety can relate to. Number one, you fret and worry over small decision choices. Do you freeze with indecision
when thinking about what you want for lunch? It usually shouldn’t matter that much but when your brain is
moving at a mile a minute, it’s not hard to invent
a hypothetical situation where this choice could
mean life or death. There are so many what-ifs to consider and the anxious brain
wants to examine them all. It’s important to remember why your mind stays stuck on something, it’s trying to protect you. The what-ifs are all meant
to prepare your brain to deal with real situations,
should they arise. Be kind to yourself when making a decision doesn’t come easily to you. It’s not for nothing, even if it is disruptive or frustrating. Two, which comes first,
anxiety or sleep disruption? If you find it difficult
to get a good night’s sleep with an anxious brain, you’re not alone. According to the Anxiety
and Depression Association of America, stress and
anxiety are closely related to and often coincide with sleep disorders. These can range from
nightmares or restlessness to more complex conditions
such as bruxism, where you grind your teeth while you sleep, or narcolepsy which causes you
to spontaneously fall asleep. It can be hard to tell
whether sleep troubles or anxious thoughts are
the root of the problem. Anxiety can cause a lack
of sleep just as easily as a lack of sleep can
make you feel anxious. Number three, the worst-case scenarios always seem more likely than they are. When you’ve been dealing with
your anxiety for a long time, your brain gets used to being
on the alert for danger, even when none is present. This is why it’s easy to ruminate on negative or intrusive thoughts. Jumping passed the more likely outcomes to a worst-case scenario
becomes automatic. Everyday occurrences send
your nervous system spinning when you’ve become so good
at searching for anything that might go wrong. We offer a challenge to any anxious psych2-goers out there; if you notice yourself
imagining a disastrous outcome or event, see if you can come
up with one other scenario that may occur instead. Is one more likely than
the other to take place? Number four, you have no clue if others can sense your anxiety. Do you worry about whether
or not other people can tell when you’re feeling anxious? And then are you doubly
worried about how someone will react if they do find out
you’re having a panic attack? Since no people experience
anxiety the same way nor are any two situations the same, there’s no real way to tell
unless you tell someone that you’re not feeling well. If anything, your anxiety
is not as noticeable as you fear it to be. There are so many other restless, sweaty, awkward people in the world and everyone else is probably
too worried about themselves that they’re less likely to notice if you look a little
flushed or act a little odd. Five, you can
worry yourself sick. Have you ever been so stressed
and worried that you felt like you might throw up or pass out? When you suffer from anxiety,
these severe reactions become normal which can put immense stress on your body over time. Mayo Clinic states that
symptoms such as headaches, heart palpitations, and
gastrointestinal issues are common expressions of anxiety. Dealing with these over
a long period can lead to complications such
as irritable bowel syndrome and other chronic disruptions
in the nervous system.
Six, self-doubt slows you down socially. Do you long to be out and
about with your friends but your anxiety and doubt convince you to stay home instead? Socializing can be incredibly stressful for someone with anxiety, especially if you have
social anxiety disorder which is specific to
public or group settings. Between physical symptoms
and a racing mind, keeping up a conversation with
your friends can be tricky. Your brain interrupts with
intrusive thoughts and questions and you wonder if you’re doing it right. If you notice that you’re worrying about whether your anxiety makes
you come across as awkward or quiet, that’s okay. It’s good to be aware
of your effect on others but make sure you’re trying your best to be genuine and be you. Living in today’s society is
a lot of pressure already, so there’s no need to
double down on yourself. Seven, you find it hard to stay focused, you find
it hard to stay focused. When your anxiety is bad, do
you struggle to concentrate? Like, when you have to
reread a page in a book a couple of times over before you finally comprehend what you’re reading. Recent BBC research cites a 2011 study from the University of Notre Dame, which confirms that the
brain is designed to hold only so much information at once. If you’re taking up that
space with tons of what-ifs and worries, there won’t be much room left for anything else. Changing your thought patterns
won’t happen overnight but it’s certainly possible. It will likely take some trial and error to find what works for you
but practicing mindfulness, getting exercise, and avoiding multitasking are a few good places to start. And number eight, yeah, you can have anxiety
about your anxiety. Have you ever heard of agoraphobia? The UK National Health
Service defines agoraphobia as a fear of being in
situations where escape might be difficult or that
help wouldn’t be available if things go wrong. Most people who suffer from this condition practice avoidance. Some might refuse to take
public transportation or be in crowded or open spaces, while others may not
leave their house at all. Avoidance aims to protect you from danger, panic, and even embarrassment. Did you relate to any of these scenarios? Tell us about it in the comments below. Anxiety is tough but so are you. If you have any other tips that
help you with your anxiety, share them in the comments below. If you found this video
helpful, please like and share this video with someone who can benefit from it too. The studies and references used are listed in the description below. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and the notification bell icon
for more psych2 go videos. Thank you for watching and
we’ll see you next time..
As found on YouTubeAnxiety disorders, phobias, and chronic panic attacks affect millions of people all over the world. Often, treatment consists of medications used to reduce anxiety, but these medications don’t work for everyone. Many people are too afraid to explore the real reason why they have anxiety or they’re too embarrassed to seek medical attention. Instead, they suffer for years struggling to learn how to cope with this condition, alone. More often than not this results in the person avoiding many of the places and activities they once loved because they’re so afraid they’ll have a panic attack in public.
If you’re tired of trying new medications that don’t work or you’re looking for an all-natural approach to anxiety treatment, the 60 Second Panic Solution program can help.
