Anxiety is a relatively common mental disorder, affecting around 1 in 5 Americans. It is our body’s reaction to stressful events, which seem to be increasingly prevalent in today’s modern society.
Some stress is expected, even healthy to have in our lives. However, people suffering from anxiety disorders constantly worry about everyday situations, resulting in an overwhelming emotional, mental, and physical toll.
Consequently, these individuals encounter significant problems in their sleep habits, eating patterns, work performance, and relationships.
Read on and find out why anxiety is so common.
Why is Anxiety so Common?
24-hour “news” cycle
Not many years ago, news consisted of a few minutes each morning, enough to cover everything that needed to be reported.
However, bad news sells better, and the supply of advertising space led to the birth of 24-hour channels dedicated to providing information that would shock viewers and keep them glued to their TV sets.
The same happens with social media. The immediate and constant access to information severely affects users’ mental and emotional health.
Social media and news networks effectively spread outrage and negativity, keeping most people anxious and aggravating the symptoms of those already affected.
Extreme Political Polarization and Social Unrest
Nowadays, conversations within therapy are increasingly moving away from abstract topics and turning toward political views and constant problems.
A 2019 study revealed that about 40% of Americans reported that politics was a source of sleep deprivation, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Experiencing politics as stressful is not uncommon as we are surrounded by media hashtags, ongoing campaigns, and political discussions that keep us on edge and stressed out.
While it is essential to be a part of the decisions that shape our community and society, most of us let political issues affect us so profoundly that our anxiety levels spike.
Rising Inflation and Disrupted Carrer Paths
We are going through a critical moment in history. On the one hand, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the jobs and careers of millions of people still recovering from the ravages.
And not only that. We are going through a worldwide inflation spike that is making us tighten our budgets and leaving us feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Continued Uncertainty Around COVID-19
The COVID-19 epidemic seems far from over. The outbreak and the consequent lockdown measures have raised anxiety levels in the world’s population, facing an uncertain, dangerous scenario with no time to prepare for it. The pandemic has resulted in significantly more people with insomnia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
And just as we learn more about the virus and its effects, new strains and dangers appear to haunt our hopes of returning to a normal life.
Although some resilient individuals have managed to cope with their personal crises, the impact of the pandemic still brings emotional turmoil to people who are forced to live in a state of constant uncertainty and do not feel able to handle it.
Unhealthy Stress
Stress is the bodily response that prepares us to face potentially threatening situations.
Therefore, a certain amount of stress is expected and even considered healthy. The problem is when we react anxiously to daily challenges and situations arising from work, school, and relationships, among other sources.
Unhealthy stress can lead us to develop anxiety disorders such as social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, just to name a few.
Consequently, our mental, physical, and emotional health deteriorate, and we stop enjoying the activities that used to give us pleasure and meaning in our lives.
Anxiety Therapy Treatment in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota
Unfortunately, only 30% of people who experience anxiety seek treatment. If the quality of your life has significantly declined due to anxiety, a trained mental health professional can help you find relief.
At McNulty Counseling & Wellness, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other scientifically proven psychotherapy approaches to help you find relief from your anxiety.
When treating anxiety, we aim to help you uncover the issues and triggers behind your anxiety symptoms, leading you to understand better and break your cycle of anxious thinking.
Then, your counselor will help you identify your irrational beliefs and replace them with more realistic ones that support a healthy pattern of thinking and behaving.
At McNulty Counseling and Wellness, you can book an in-person meeting or online therapy session to help you regain control of your life and take concrete actions to live a meaningful life.
Please consider all our counseling services in our St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota offices, and start taking care of yourself today.
