Anxiety has a purpose, but constant anxiety or overwhelming anxiety is unhealthy. If we had no anxiety at all, we would be sleepwalking through life.
Anxiety is a result of the fight/flight/freeze/fawn syndrome which originates in the amygdala, a part of the brainstem that prepares us to respond to danger. When everyday situations seem to be dangerous (when they’re not), we can fall prey to anxiety. Anxiety is fear without the danger.
There are different types of anxiety disorders:
- Social Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety
While all anxiety has similar features, the different types have different features. A clinician can help you determine what kind of anxiety you have and what types of treatment would be helpful.