Compulsive worriers tend to believe that worry helps in some way, though they may not be fully conscious of this belief. Some common beliefs they may have are: • Worry finds solutions to problems. • Worry motivates me to do things. • Worry protects me from possible dangers.
A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances. Personality. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are. Other mental health disorders.
Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD can make daily life feel like a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
o Do you worry about events that are unlikely to happen? o Do you exaggerate possible negative consequences? o Do you equate worrying with caring? o Can you remember a time you weren't worried? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're likely a chronic worrier.
Worriers reported a more negative daydreaming style, greater difficulty with attentional control, and greater obsessional symptoms, public self-consciousness and social anxiety.
worrier. noun. someone who worries a lot.
Worrying excessively can have the same effect on your body as chronic stress, triggering the fight-or-flight response and releasing stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress has been shown to contribute to serious health issues, such as digestive problems, heart disease and suppression of the immune system.
Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They also have similar treatments. Feeling down or having the blues now and then is normal. And everyone feels anxious from time to time — it's a normal response to stressful situations.
Worrying is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation or problem. With excessive worrying, your mind and body go into overdrive as you constantly focus on "what might happen." In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic -- during waking hours.
Often overthinking is a byproduct of anxiety or depression. If this is the case, you can treat your anxiety or depression to reduce overthinking. You may also find that overthinking only materializes when you need to make a tough life decision or are dealing with your insecurities.
Stressful events may trigger the OCD episodes or make them worse. You may or may not have insight into the irrational thoughts or behaviors. Medicines and therapy can help reduce the time spent in the thought patterns or compulsive behaviors. Treatment is most successful when both are used.
But researchers don't know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role: Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
Worry is temporary.
Worry is usually short term. There's a concerning situation (like COVID-19) and you worry about it. Worry prods you to use problem-solving skills to address your concerns. Anxiety is persistent, even when concerns are unrealistic.
Classifying Worries
There are two main types of worries; practical worries and hypothetical worries.
An anxiety emergency or extreme panic attack may require an ER visit if the sufferer is unable to get it under control. Extreme cases of hyperventilation can lead to tachycardia, an occurrence where the heart is beating so fast that it is unable to properly pump blood throughout the body.
The Type A personality types behavior makes them more prone to stress-related illnesses such as CHD, raised blood pressure, etc. Such people are more likely to have their ”flight or fight” response set off by things in their environment.
Worriers are so often weak and timid. The worrying warrior or leader could make for an interesting character. Because worrying is a negative character trait, it's usually assigned to background or support characters. A worry-wart hero would be one with a lot to overcome.
In patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control of themselves and situations interferes with flexibility, effectiveness, and openness. Rigid and stubborn in their activities, these patients insist that everything be done in specific ways.