Anxiety, Its Forms and Manifestations

Anxiety is a natural response to threatening situations and a survival function. It can be felt in varying degrees of intensity, from vague anxiety to intense bodily symptoms or panic attacks, where there is a feeling that the person might faint (Knowles & Olatunji, 2020). The episode of anxiety always passes but can be repeated constantly. Anxiety manifests differently in different people and can be more or less intense. In a milder form, anxiety can feel like excitement, restlessness, or a sense of unreality. Severe anxiety can be felt physically, for example, the person may have difficulty breathing, may feel pressure in their chest, or their heart may palpitate. If anxiety arises quickly, and the person is not ready for such a development of events, it is called panic anxiety, and the resulting condition is called a panic attack.

Anxiety is a central nervous system reaction that cannot be controlled independently. The reaction is a signaling system triggered when the brain and nervous system react to a threat or danger. However, the danger does not always have to be accurate. When the brain signals that life is in danger, the body reacts, and people feel this reaction as anxiety. However, anxiety symptoms can be significantly reduced with exercise.

Choose your age category

1. 16 and younger
2. 17-25
3. 26-35
4. 36-50
5. 51-65
6. 66 or older

How often do you experience anxiety?

1. Less than once a year
2. Semiannually
3. Once a month
4. Once a week or more

Do you lead an active lifestyle?

1. Yes
2. No

Have you seen a doctor about anxiety symptoms?

1. Yes
2. No

How have you tried to deal with anxiety?____________________________________

Assess your current state of mind

1. Good
2. Satisfactory
3. Unsatisfactory
4. Bad

References

Knowles, K. A., & Olatunji, B. O. (2020). Specificity of trait anxiety in anxiety and depression: Meta-analysis of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Clinical Psychology Review, 82, 101928. Web.