ANXIETY
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
anx·i·e·ty
/aNGˈzīədē/
noun
a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
"he felt a surge of anxiety"
PSYCHIATRY
a mental condition characterized by excessive apprehensiveness about real or perceived threats, typically leading to avoidance behaviors and often to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and muscle tension.
"we are seeing more calls related to anxiety and depression"
ANXIETY- I believe that this word deserves to be in bold, it needs to be in all capital letters and deserves the spot light on it as it is an incredibly powerful force. If you have it…you get it.
For some, anxiety can be a little nervous energy that you dodge here and there and it creeps up at inconvenient times. For others, anxiety can be so paralyzing that it can be an albatross that weighs you down no matter how much you want to do something, go somewhere or just function. It is unique to all who know it.
One of the many things that I have learned through my experiences with anxiety is that not everyone understands anxiety. Not everyone experiences anxiety. Not everyone is capable of recognizing anxiety in themselves, their own children or those around them. Not everyone is empathetic in learning about something that does not effect them. It is invisible to many and yet it is all encompassing to those who fight the bear sitting on their chest every…single… day. No matter whether you are struggling with something visible or invisible you deserve respect that what you are feeling is REAL to YOU!!!
As a child struggling with anxiety you often learn to keep your emotions to yourself at school, in sports/activities and with your peers. Sometimes this is also an emotion that you can’t even express at home. There is nothing more painful than the suffering in silence that you go through to avoid judgment and misunderstanding. While children can be cruel, so can teachers, /administrators and other professionals. Also, some parents can be cruel and misunderstand the illness their own child is fighting invisibly day and night.
Finding a professional that A. Takes insurance B. Has appointments available C. Your child connects with D. Your child is not having a panic attack when the actual appointment is scheduled are just a few of the complicated dynamics involved in treating this disorder.
Don’t give up!!! If your child doesn’t feel the therapist is a good fit….KEEP LOOKING! If they don’t take insurance…weigh what is best for the child if you need to pay out of pocket. Post-pandemic more doctors are willing to take phone calls/video calls to meet with a client. These are positive improvements for those receiving care for anxiety. Pre-pandemic was very, very different.
A couple analogies to this illness that hit home with me are: Would you tell a person in a wheel chair to get up and run during gym class? Of course you wouldn’t. That wouldn’t cross your mind as that is visible. Anxiety is often times invisible but in some ways just as paralyzing. Anxiety is often like the game Whack a Mole - it is forever changing with the circumstances surrounding you. No matter what a person is struggling with….. to them it is REAL. It is difficult and they deserve respect as they fight what they are fighting.
Why is my second blog about Anxiety? It is because it is the root of so much and if treated respectfully, properly and intelligently perhaps it would not lead to isolation, self medication and pain from those that suffer with it and those who love them.
Always be kind!!!
Mindy