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9. Stress
Daily stressors like traffic jams or missing your train
can cause anyone anxiety. But long-term or chronic
stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening
symptoms, as well as other health problems.
Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping
meals, drinking alcohol, or not getting enough sleep.
These factors can trigger or worsen anxiety, too.
Treating and preventing stress often requires learning
coping mechanisms. A therapist or counselor can
help you learn to recognize your sources of stress and
handle them when they become overwhelming or
problematic.
10. Public events or performances
Public speaking, talking in front of your boss,
performing in a competition, or even just reading aloud
is a common trigger of anxiety. If your job or hobbies
require this, your doctor or therapist can work with you
to learn ways to be more comfortable in these settings.
Also, positive reinforcements from friends and
colleagues can help you feel more comfortable and
confident.
11. Personal triggers
These triggers may be difficult to identify, but a mental
health specialist is trained to help you identify them.
These may begin with a smell, a place, or even a song.
Personal triggers remind you, either consciously or
unconsciously, of a bad memory or traumatic event in
your life. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) frequently experience anxiety triggers from
environmental triggers.
Identifying personal triggers may take time, but it’s
important so you can learn to overcome them.
Tips for identifying triggers
If you can identify and understand your triggers, you
can work to avoid them and to cope. You can learn
specific coping strategies to handle the triggers when
they happen.
Here are three tips for identifying triggers:
• Start a journal. Write down when your anxiety is
noticeable and record what you think might have
led to the trigger. Some apps can help you track
your anxiety, too.
• Work with a therapist. Some anxiety triggers can
be difficult to identify, but a mental health specialist
has training that can help you. They may use talk
therapy, journaling, or other methods to find
triggers.
• Be honest with yourself. Anxiety can cause
negative thoughts and poor self-assessments. This
can make identifying triggers difficult because of
the anxious reactions. Be patient with yourself and
be willing to explore things in your past to identify
how they may affect you today.
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Symptoms of anxiety
The most common symptoms of anxiety include:
• uncontrollable worry
• tingling
• fear
• restlessness
• muscle tension
• feeling on edge
• a fast heartbeat
• irritability
• difficulty concentrating • difficulty sleeping
• physical discomfort
or insomnia
If you experience these symptoms regularly for six
months or more, you may have generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD). Other types of anxiety disorders exist
as well. The symptoms for those may be different
than GAD. For example, with panic disorder you may
experience:
• a rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• sweating
• trembling
• shaking
• feeling as if your throat is closing
Seeking help
If you believe you worry too much or suspect you have
an anxiety disorder, it’s time to seek help. Recognizing
the anxiety is often difficult because the symptoms
become common over time.
Occasional anxiety is common, but chronic feelings of
worry, fear, or dread aren’t. They’re a sign you should
seek professional help.
Start the discussion by talking with your doctor. They’ll
discuss your symptoms, conduct a health history, and
do a physical exam.
They’ll want to rule out any possible physical problems
that may be causing the issues, too.
From there, your doctor may choose to treat you with
medication.
They may also refer you to a mental health specialist,
such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. These doctors
can use a combination of talk therapy and medication
to treat anxiety and prevent triggers.
Takeaway
Occasional anxiety is common, but chronic feelings
of worry, fear, or dread aren’t common. They’re a sign
you should seek professional help. The good news
is that anxiety is a highly treatable mental health
condition. However, many people with anxiety don’t
seek treatment.
If your anxiety is impeding your day-to-day life, you
should seek help. A mental health specialist can help
you find a treatment plan that eases your symptoms
and helps you cope with your anxiety triggers.
Source:
www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/anxiety-triggers