Anxiety works like a double-edged sword. Anxiety can be a fleeting feeling that can be considered an integral part of a person’s ability to manage their life. However, chronic and clinical anxiety can completely detract a person from performing activities of daily living.Want to learn more about this common mental condition? Here are 10 interesting facts that you may not know about anxiety disorder(s):
1) Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States.
As much as 40 million Americans aged 18 years and above experience anxiety. This corresponds to as much as 18% of the country’s population.
2) It is a huge economic burden.
As much as $42 billion is spent yearly by the American government for the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. This is roughly 33% of the national budget for mental health ($148 billion).
3) It is hereditary.
Anxiety is genetic – meaning if any (or both) of your parents suffer from clinical anxiety, there is a huge possibility that you might acquire it as well.
4) It upsets your balance.
Anxiety has many physical manifestations, and one of the many aspects that it affects is the individual’s balance. According to studies, anxious persons tend to sway more than unaffected entities. They get dizzy without any apparent cause as well.
5) Anxious people have bigger “personal space.”
Personal space is defined as one’s intimate boundary – one that should not be invaded by other individuals. In most people, this space ranges from 10 to 20 inches away from the face. But in persons experiencing anxiety disorders, this perceived space is gradually larger.
6) Anxiety can ruin relationships.
Anxious people have difficulty maintaining good relationships, largely because they judge facial expressions immediately. As a result, they wrongly estimate another individual’s intentions.7) Anxious people are more sensitive to stench.
People who suffer from anxiety disorders tend to perceive neutral smells as malodorous ones. That is because their emotional issues get intertwined with their olfactory system. The only positive thing about this finding is that people who are susceptible to anxiety are better in differentiating one type of stench from another.
8) A healthy diet can lessen your anxiety.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that people who consumed fast food, processed foods, sweets, and beers tend to be more anxious, compared to those who ate healthy fares such as vegetables, fish and fruits. As such, it is recommended that you eat these natural foods, as well as other mood-improving sustenance such as poultry, milk, seeds and nuts.
9) Anxiety levels can be reduced with exercise.
If you are feeling anxious right now, a simple and drug-free way of eliminating the unpleasant feelings is to perform some exercise. In fact, a brisk 20-minute exercise can make you feel less anxious almost instantly. While resting is recommended for anxiety reduction, exercise has been proven to show more resilient effects on the mind. It can keep anxiety levels at a minimum – even if you experience demanding events after your exercise session.
10) Meditation can lower anxiety levels as well.
Apart from exercise, meditation is proven effective in lowering anxiety levels. This all-natural way of freeing the mind can produce a deep state of relaxation, which is effective in reducing fatigue and stress.
One of the best methods of anxiety treatment is Transcendental Meditation, which is said to be two times more effective than other methods. It is said to be highly efficient in eliciting peacefulness and inner calm.
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