Imagine yourself for a moment. Your attention is plunged within your mind. Your pulse patters as thick rain plummeting on a tin roof. Drums pound between your ears. You sense a threat is coming. “Keep moving,” your instincts plead. Tingling creeps into your hands. You can’t get enough air.
What we just imagined is a regular occurrence for many Americans living with anxiety. Nearly one out of five adults in the United States suffers from a form of anxiety. (Any anxiety disorder.2017) These episodes of crippling fear interfere with the relationships and daily lives of those effected with this disorder. The reason for these attacks is not completely understood, but may be do to psychological and biological interactions. (Tamparo, 2016) “Some theorists believe that conflict, whether intrapsychic, sociopersonal, or interpersonal, promotes an anxious state. Distressful events and major depression may also be causes” (Tamparo, 2016). There are many types of anxiety disorders, but five of the most common are general anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive (OCD), posttraumatic stress (PTSD), and phobias.
General anxiety disorder affects women more than men and consists of excessive worrying for at least half a year. Other symptoms may include headaches, heart palpitations, and muscle tightness. A panic disorder is a severe case of anxiety. Those who suffer from it experience real terror and a sense of impending doom. Chest pain, trembling, and sweating may also accompany this type of anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes a patient to have persistent, reoccurring thoughts about a worry they have. (Tamparo, 2016, p. 134) This could range from excessive washing of hands to cleanse from germs to pressing the lock button on your car fob and listening to the honk every ten seconds.
One current trend in treating anxiety is the use of probiotics. At first, one might think it absurd to prescribe methods that will primarily affect the bacteria in one’s bowel to ease his or her unusual fears. Current research and science has
Conclusion: Anxiety is a frightening and reoccurring experience for many people. There are many types and affect people in many ways. With further research and study, we may be able to combat this ailment in various ways like we have with probiotics.
