什么是焦虑症？
From time to time we all feel anxious. That’s normal. But sometime anxiety can take over our life and we feel overwhelmed by a sense of fear or dread. Anxiety is actually one of the most common health disorders affecting nearly 1 of every 5 adults in the U.S.
We can often expect to feel a bit anxious when we have to take a difficult exam or speak in front of a group. When we’re reacting normally, that’s a temporary feeling. When we still feel the fear or dread after the stress is gone, or we feel a general panic that doesn’t go away, or it gets worse over time and affects our daily activities, then is when getting specific treatment is recommended.
引起焦虑的原因是什么？
There’s no single cause, but generally it can be triggered by a traumatic event. It can come from a horrible experience that left us feeling vulnerable, insecure, or unprotected. Sometimes it’s caused by a chemical imbalance in the body or our brain. Anxiety can be caused by substance abuse. There are several types of anxiety ranging from a general fear of many things in life itself, to very specific phobias that are triggered by a certain situation.
In the short term, situations that cause elevated alertness, stress, or anxiety can help us overcome a serious challenge or a dangerous situation. Adrenalin kicking in can make us move or react faster and escape harm.
但是，如果持续下去，它既可能造成身心伤害，也使我们处理一般生活的能力大大降低。
焦虑症有哪些症状？
Anxiety symptoms are fairly wide-ranging. They can look like some of the issues we deal with from time to time. They can also be signs we need to pay attention to if they happen often and we just can’t seem to shake them.
它们可以包括：
- 腹痛
- 肌肉紧张
- 头痛
- 快速呼吸
- 快速的心跳
- 出汗
- 发抖
- 眩晕和头昏
- 尿频
- 食欲变化
- 睡眠困难
- 腹泻
- 疲劳
- 即将来临的厄运的感觉
- 恐慌或紧张，尤其是在社交场合
- 困难集中和躁动
- 不合理的愤怒
- 关于伤害自己或他人的想法
焦虑症该如何治疗？
With a specific evaluation and treatment plan, anxiety often responds well to treatment. Treatment options include natural methods such as:
- 生活方式变化
- 饮食更均衡
- 定期锻炼
- 限制咖啡因和酒精
- 增强睡眠
- 冥想或祈祷
- 学习对引发焦虑的反应不同
- 进行有控制的深呼吸以恢复控制
- 讲出引发焦虑的情况
- 针灸
在某些情况下，治疗方法还将包括：
- 心理治疗
- 药物治疗
- 强化治疗，包括专门的创伤治疗
It’s important to remember that usually the anxiety didn’t just happen overnight, so it can take some time for treatment to fully work. It can also take some adjustment along the way to see which therapies are most effective. For some people, symptoms quickly improve after starting treatment, while it’s a longer journey for others.
Supporting a Family Member or Friend Who has Anxiety
Helping someone with anxiety can be a challenge. You might not fully understand why they are feeling the way they are, and what you can do to help. Still, one of the best roles you can provide is steady, patient, continuing support. Sometimes just sitting and listening without comment or judgement can be just what they need while they are getting supporting treatment. You can let them know you are there for them and will stick with them through it all.
- 做一个伟大的听众
- 尽可能给他们积极的支持
- 帮助他们减轻生活压力
- 鼓励他们坚持治疗计划
- 鼓励他们谈论他们的治疗课程（如果他们愿意的话）
- 让他们知道您在那里长途跋涉。
Most importantly, remember that your loved one’s anxiety is not their fault. If they could immediately “fix” it on their own, they probably would. Also, take care of yourself along the way so 你 不要被烧坏。
好消息是，尽管很少有快速，简单的“治愈”方法，但采用正确的药物和治疗方法，可以有效管理焦虑症，而且通常可以大大减少焦虑症。
此信息已从有关如何管理焦虑症的多个来源中检索到，包括恢复资源，注意力开发关键，美国焦虑症和抑郁症协会以及Healthline。