- Negative effects of anxiety in life
- Weakens the immune system
- Digestive and excretory system damage
- Short-term memory loss
- Varied physical reactions
- Heart attacks
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Actually some anxiety is good
- The problem is when there is too much anxiety
The consequences of anxiety make up both psychological and physical effects and can greatly affect quality of life. Anyone can have anxiety from time to time, but chronic anxiety can have negative and difficult effects to live with.
Anxiety is a negative state of mind characterized by bodily symptoms of physical tension and worry about the future. You can feel it as a subjective feeling of unease, distress, or worry. It originates in the brain and manifests as an elevated heart rate and muscle tension.
Negative effects of anxiety in life
Weakens the immune system
Anxiety can trigger the fight or flight response, releasing chemicals and hormones - like adrenaline - into your body.
In the short term, that will increase your pulse and heart rate so your brain can get more oxygen.
You will now be more prepared to respond to an intense situation and your body will return to normal function when the situation is over.
However, if you repeatedly feel anxious or stressed, or if it lasts too long, your body does not receive the signal to return to normal function.
That can weaken your immune system, leaving it vulnerable to viral infections.
Digestive and excretory system damage
Your digestive system and excretory system also suffer. According to Harvard Medical School, there could be a connection between anxiety disorders and the development of irritable bowel syndrome.
This syndrome can cause vomiting, nausea or diarrhea. In this class of stomach syndromes, the nerves that regulate digestion are hypersensitive to stimulation.
Because these conditions do not cause lesions such as ulcers or tumors, they are not considered life-threatening, although their symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting) can be chronic and difficult to tolerate.
Short-term memory loss
Although they may seem unrelated, memory loss is a very real symptom of anxiety. The main cause of memory loss is a hormone called cortisol.
Numerous studies have confirmed that this hormone contributes to memory loss, especially short-term memory, as it acts as a toxin for brain cells.
The more you deal with anxiety, the more cortisol you have in your system, and the more likely you are to continue memory loss in the future.
Varied physical reactions
Chronic worry and emotional stress can trigger various health problems.
The problem occurs when there is excessive worry or anxiety. The fight response causes the sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones such as cortisol.
These hormones can increase blood sugar levels and triglycerides (fats). These hormones can also cause physical reactions such as:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Inability to concentrate
- Fast heartbeat
- Muscle tension
- Perspiration
- Fast breathing
- Irritability
- Tremors and spasms
- Sickness.
Heart attacks
Anxiety disorders have also been linked to the development of heart problems and coronary events in people who already have heart problems.
In a study mentioned here, women with the highest levels of anxiety were 59% more likely to have a heart attack, and 31% more likely to die from one, than women with the lowest levels of anxiety.
On the other hand, a history of panic attacks can triple the risk of a stroke or brain attack.
Insomnia
The experience of frequent or intense anxiety can also interfere with sleep and cause insomnia.
Being constantly on guard, tense, or worried can interfere with your ability to relax and fall asleep.
On the other hand, you can be more sensitive to sounds while you sleep.
Depression
If excessive worry or anxiety is left untreated, it can lead to depression or even suicidal thoughts.
It is common to find people seeking to combat anxiety as well as a treatment for depression.
Fortunately, anxiety can be well treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy and other techniques known and practiced by mental health professionals.
Getting help can make a big difference and treatment does not have to be for life, although the positive effects it does have.
Visit this article to learn more about how to overcome anxiety.
Actually some anxiety is good
A certain level of anxiety is known to be good for people.
For example, with a certain level of anxiety:
- You prepare better for an exam.
- You better prepare for a job interview.
- You try to make a better impression on a date.
Therefore, a certain impression that things may go wrong in the future may actually be good for better results.
In other words, thinking that something could go wrong makes you better prepare for it.
The problem is when there is too much anxiety
The problem is when the anxiety is too high or out of control. So:
- The exam can go wrong because you do not concentrate and only think that you will fail.
- You don't know what to say in the job interview or you don't organize your ideas.
- You are too nervous on a date.
50% of people who have anxiety also have one or more additional anxiety or depression disorders and some other disorder, most notably substance abuse.
These are the most common anxiety disorders:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Excessive anxiety and worry that occur on most days.
- Panic disorder with agoraphobia: unexpected severe panic attacks, thinking that you may die or lose control.
- Panic disorder without agoraphobia: the same as the previous one, although anxiety appears in places or situations where escaping can be difficult.
- Night panic: panic attacks that occur during sleep (although you are not dreaming when they occur).
- Specific phobias: blood, natural environments, animals, situational, social…
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: Children's worry that something will happen to their parents or important people in their life or that something might happen to them if they are separated.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: emotional disturbance after trauma.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: thoughts, images or impulses that one tries to avoid, obsessions and compulsions.
And what consequences have you observed when feeling anxiety? I am interested in your opinion. Thank you!