How Anxiety Might Be Affecting Your Mental Health
Mental health is a tricky thing, and for some people, like those with anxiety, it can be difficult to manage. Researchers continue to learn more about the relationship between mental health and other factors such as stress, exercise habits and nutrition. In fact, these types of studies have revealed many interesting insights on how anxiety might be impacting your mental health in negative ways.
Depression and Anxiety Are Linked
In fact, it’s estimated that 30-60% of individuals with an anxiety disorder are also experiencing depression. There are a lot of theories out there as to why this is. Common belief is that anxiety and depression feed off each other. But what exactly does that mean? One theory is that anxiety might cause some chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression.
Stress Might Be Making Your Anxiety Worse
In fact, some experts believe that it can trigger the onset of the disorder in those who are predisposed to it. Stress, of course, is not only caused by anxiety, but also by external factors like financial problems, relationship issues, work-related problems and more. If you are experiencing anxiety, then you are probably more sensitive to stressors than people who aren’t. This can make even minor stressors more difficult to deal with. That said, there is also evidence that stress can actually cause anxiety.
Constant Anxiety May Be Causing Physical Harm
Some studies have shown that individuals with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Other studies have shown that anxiety can lead to muscle spasms, gastrointestinal issues, migraines and other ailments. This isn’t surprising when you consider that anxiety is an overwhelming response from the body and brain. If you have an existing condition like diabetes, hypertension, or dysautonomia, anxiety can make those conditions worse.
Excessive Worry Might Be Damaging Your Memory
When people think of anxiety, they often think of nervous feelings. But anxiety can do a lot more than just give you the jitters. It can also have a significant impact on your memory. People who experience anxiety have been found to have a lower ability to recall information than those who don’t have the disorder. You may not realize it, but when you worry, you’re often recalling information from the past. When you do this, you’re also rehearsing it in your head. This can prevent you from properly committing that information to long-term memory.
Anxiety can be difficult to manage and can potentially cause harm to your physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are ways to manage anxiety and help it not impact your life in such a negative way. By identifying what anxiety is doing to your mental health, you can better manage it. This can include getting help from a mental health professional, managing your stress levels and making healthy lifestyle choices.
This article is written by a therapist from Sensera – a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems). Download Sensera now to become happier!
