When Anxiety Becomes a Problem

Normal versus dysregulated

© Joanne Edwards @Purposeful Wellbeing

Anxiety is an internal state of unease that comes from the anticipation of possible danger, whether real or imagined. It involves our thoughts (worry), our feelings (nervousness/sense of dread), and our bodies (muscles tense, heart rate rises).

Just because you have anxious thoughts, it does not mean that you “have anxiety.” Normal anxiety is experienced by everyone, and is a short-lived, natural reaction to stressful or challenging situations that is designed to help us cope and adapt, respond appropriately, and stay safe.

Anxiety only becomes a problem, so to speak, when it becomes severe, frequent, uncontrollable, and interferes with our daily life. In other words, it has become dysregulated, and we are caught in an anxiety cycle, where we become “anxious about feeling anxious”.

If that sounds like you, it is important to seek professional support to help break the anxiety cycle. I’d love to connect with you and help. Please reach out today. :)