Anxiety occurs when someone has constant feelings of fear, worry, and stress, which harms their mental and physical health. Recognizing signs of anxiety can help you encourage family or friends to seek treatment and learn to manage their symptoms. Here are some ways to tell if a loved one is experiencing this mental health issue:
Constant Worrying
With anxiety, your loved one worries about small things and major events they can’t control. They may develop catastrophic thinking or imagining the worst outcomes, like fearing minor health problems could be a serious illness. Constant worry often leads to headaches, muscle stiffness, or stomach discomfort as the body reacts to a perceived threat. Worrying can also cause severe stress, weakening the immune system and contributing to additional health problems. When you notice chronic worry affecting your loved one’s physical health, seek professional treatment. To manage this condition, a psychiatrist evaluates a patient’s symptoms and prescribes medication.
Difficulty Concentrating
When someone is anxious, their mind is filled with many thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate. Zoning out during conversations or struggling to follow a discussion can indicate anxious behavior. In severe cases, some may start a project but fail to complete it due to an inability to focus long-term.
Other patients may have mental fog or cloudiness, which prevents them from processing information and focusing on tasks and conversations. A mental health professional can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to concentration issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, enables patients to develop strategies to manage anxious behavior.
Persistent Sleep Problems
People who are constantly anxious find it more challenging to relax and fall asleep. If they manage to sleep, they may wake up in the middle of the night with a racing heart or shortness of breath. Anxiety triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, often resulting in an altered mental state rather than the calm required for sleep. For some, worrying about not being able to sleep leads to more stress when trying to sleep. Medications and mindful meditation are sometimes recommended to help calm the mind and promote better sleep.
Regular Restlessness and Agitation
Constant fidgeting, foot tapping, or movement while sitting often indicates restlessness, a common sign of anxious thoughts. The inner sense of tension or unease makes it difficult for them to sit comfortably during meetings, meals, or social gatherings. Some people may become irritated by a small argument or a schedule change. To cope with feelings of restlessness and agitation, individuals often skip social gatherings or stay away from places that cause them stress. During treatment, your loved one can join a support group to share experiences with others and develop coping strategies.
Get Treatment for Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest in many ways, such as worrying, restlessness, or poor sleep. A mental health examination evaluates the severity of the condition and offers recommendations for medication or therapy. To improve your loved one’s mental well-being, call a reputable clinic today to book an appointment.
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