What is High-Functioning Anxiety

#highfunctioninganxiety #anxietytreatment

Anxiety can manifest itself in an individual in many ways. It depends on how you perceive and cope with things that have already happened and are happening in your life. It is tricky to spot any sorts of anxiety symptoms since they are quite similar to each other. But there are a few prominent and identified symptoms that every individual has depending on their type of anxiety.

It is very important to know that high functioning anxiety is not an anxiety disorder recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It’s just a term to refer to the type of anxiety where an individual appears mentally healthy and successful on the outside but suffers from overwhelming symptoms of anxiety.

Here are a few common symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety.

Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety.

1. Irritability.
2. Sweaty palms.
3. Trouble falling asleep at night.
4. Constant fatigue, tense muscles and restlessness.
5. Difficulty focusing and paying attention in general.

As for treating high-functioning anxiety, it is treated just like other anxiety disorders. What sets this apart from other anxiety disorders is the fact that it is hard to recognize it since the positive lifestyle of a person can mask the negative symptoms of this anxiety. Which makes people often question if they really are anxious or just burnt out.

Best treatment for high-functioning anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) which are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.

Depressed/stagnant energy is something we will all face. The important thing to remember is all wounds heal whether physical, spiritual, or emotional as long as we allow the proper time and care.

A personal suggestion to treat any anxiety disorder would be to adapt practices in our lives that lets us get in contact with our body and mind. A problem no matter how minute it seems to be needs to be addressed in order to set yourself free from it. As much as anxiety or any mental illness is mentally detrimental it is just as much a detriment to our physical health too. So we must practice things that provide a healthy balance for healing both our mind and body. Examples of such activities that have proven to be helpful for me are most importantly being in touch with the source of our core values such as religion or any sorts of beliefs that lead you into a positive light. Besides that something that has really helped me stay tuned with my mind and body are exercises such as yoga and meditation (cord cutting meditation to be specific). That allows me to understand myself and figure out the root cause of my troubles which helps me find a solution and bring in positivity and strength to deal with what’s to come.

Hope you found this little article insightful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Xoxo,

Sundus.

Tweets by ESTsundus

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What are panic attacks and their symptoms

#panicattack #symptoms #mentalhealth

What is a panic attack?

First of all, an anxiety attack is a panic attack as we call it sometimes. An anxiety attack is not a medical term. In medical terms, it’s called a ‘panic attack’. They are intense attacks of fear and anxiety. Panic attacks can occur without any prior signs or warning. These attacks can last several minutes (between 5 to 20 minutes) or even an hour. Some people might have 2 to 3 attacks in a month and in worst-case scenarios several a week.

There are many symptoms of a panic attack and they vary from a person to person. I have compiled a few frequent and common signs of a panic attack.

1. SENSORY OVERLOAD.

This happens when you are getting more input from your five senses than your brain can sort through and process. Things like multiple conversations at the same time, a loud party or concert, or even too much lighting can trigger a sensory overload. So, in response to all that, your brain gets overwhelmed and it enters the fight, flight, or freeze mode which causes you to panic or feel scared and insecure.

2. STOMACH ACHE.

3. TEETH GRINDING.

4. FREEZING UP.

Typically in situations like a fire breakout or witnessing gruesome activities such as murder.

5. HOT FLASHES.

6. TROUBLE BREATHING.

7. WAKING UP MIDSLEEP.

8. SUDDEN FATIGUE.

9. NUMBNESS.

10. HYPERVENTILATION.

11. EXCESSIVE PALPITATION.

12. SHIVERING.

13. SWEATY HANDS.

14. CRYING.

15. BLACKING OUT.

Hope this basic information about panic attacks was useful to everyone. Also please do not self-medicate yourself using drugs. Please visit a licensed psychiatrist for proper treatment. Have a wonderful day. xoxo

Self-talk

#selftalk #mentalhealth

Self-talk or your inner voice as we call it is a process in which we communicate with ourselves. It is common for everyone to subconsciously engage in self-talk on a daily basis with themselves. It is an inner monologue of our conscious and unconscious thoughts and biases.

Mainly there are two types of self-talk. positive self-talk and negative self-talk. As mental health awareness becomes more common throughout the globe, many people are realizing the impact of self-talk on one’s mental health. Obviously, positive self-talk has a pleasant impact as opposed to negative or self-derogatory talk on our quality of life. Positive self-talk can build up a confident and optimistic individual.

If your self-talk is loving, gentle and forgiving, your state of mental health will flourish which will be reflected in your way of dealing with people and various sorts of situations. This in return will make life easy and more pleasant and you will live a healthy life.

But, if you become a self-critic where you mostly give yourself destructive criticism or make yourself wallow in overthinking the worst-case scenarios, then you should stop and look inside yourself. Ask yourself questions like “What I am saying to myself right now is going to be of any help or just add to the stress? Am I being too harsh of a judge towards myself? Have I ever forgiven myself and acknowledged my mistakes instead of pointing fingers alone without any advice?” All this because negative self-talk only brings you down. It affects your confidence in many aspects of life especially when it comes to your personal image. A lot of people deem this extreme self-criticism as an honest and unbiased point of view about themselves which in reality is nothing near the truth. This can lead to anxiety which consequently might lead to perfectionism. People with depression and anxiety often experience negative self-talk which makes it hard to recover and thus should be treated by a licensed psychologist through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and prescribed medications if the situation is severe.

Now negative self-talk that we have can be replaced with affirmations and compassionate remarks from ourselves and one’s opinions we value. But there are other sources that form a self-destructive inner critic such as sad songs that contain content that targets our personality traits that people might find relatable in tough times and then it becomes their “sad life anthems”. Or memes and posts from people on social media that only promotes people’s failures for laughs and glorify self-deprecating humor all the time. Such things are normally harmless if we have a balance of good and bad or ‘ yin and yang ‘ in life and don’t take such things too personally. But it’s always good to keep in mind that cutting off such sources in times when we are emotionally vulnerable is a huge step toward maintaining our peace of mind.

The only thing you should do to bring out your personality. #quotes #personalitydevelopement #motivation

Yes! Do things that make your soul shine.

Things that you want to do and not what people want you to do. Ofcourse, they have to be things that make you happy and are not self destructive.

But almost every person around the globe faces challanges doing the things we love. Whether it’s a hobby or simply obeying to one’s religion and beliefs.

And why is that?

It’s because of our deteriorated self confidence. We let ourselves become victims of inferiority complex on the tiniest things and mistakes.

Society will always pressure you into being this or that. We are brainwashed daily into believing it. Each one has his or her opinion. That’s okay. Deep down in your heart, you know who you are. Don’t let people pressure you into becoming something you are not.

-Mufti Ismail Menk

So go out there and rock yourselves out. You don’t have to be an eyecandy for others. You don’t have to be that ‘stereotyped examplery child’ for the society. You can only become examplery when you embrace yourself and work hard to making yourself a positive individual. You will find your amazing innerself. Afterall, every cloud has a silver linning.

How to exude charm?

#aesthetic #charm #charisma

What is charm or charisma?

Charm is not a personality trait but a set of skills that is defined as the power or quality of delighting, attracting, or fascinating others. People often like to use charisma as an important quality in refining their personalities.

So, what exactly does it take to be charismatic? For both males and females.

It’s a combination of both warmth and competence. Being able to portray empathic and leadership qualities is key to achieving charisma. Some of the behaviors one must embody and channel is self-respect and awareness, humility and confidence, empathy and respect towards every individual you encounter despite their race, religion/faiths/beliefs, and skin color. Carry yourself with grace and embrace every side of yourself. Never deem yourself perfect. There is always room for growth so, keep remodeling yourself for a better version of yourself. But do not be obsessed with the idea of being always right or extraordinary. Love both your unique and ordinary traits because all of these combined make you an irreplaceable individual.

You don’t have to be an extrovert or an ambivert to be charismatic. Introverts can be just as charismatic as anyone else. Remember being an introvert is not the same as a person struggling with low self-esteem. The key to exuding your charm is to accept yourself as you are. Acknowledging your good and bad traits. Starting from that point, we should know what to improve and what to change and constantly keep polishing our souls to genuinely become positive individuals.

One of the most charismatic people that I know and look up to is Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He said, “Every act of kindness is charity.”   Sahih Al Bukhari: 6021, because kindness comes in all forms and Islam deems kindness as a charity which is a very noble deed.

So, in conclusion, to be charismatic and be able to exude your charm onto others is being kind and respectful to all living beings and most importantly towards yourself. Also, self-presentation such as how you choose to dress and carry yourself and your mannerisms are also qualities that enhance one’s charm but are not strong enough alone to make your charisma shine. It is a nice balance of goodness and fierceness in your lead towards a better you.

Panic attack VS Panic Disorder

#panicattack #panicdisorder #mentalhealth

Here we have two terms called panic attack and panic disorder. Let’s discuss the difference between those two terminologies.

Panic attacks are sudden outbursts of feelings of fear, and anxiety, which almost immediately start to show up as physical symptoms such as palpitation, sweating excessively, or even crying or getting hysteric.

Whereas, panic disorder is more of a condition developed over time when an individual frequently experiences panic attacks. This fear is a form of anxiety disorder and is referred to as a panic disorder.

So to put an end to Panic Disorder is to treat your panic attacks, which can be done in two ways. The most recommended form of therapy is (CBT) cognitive behavioral therapy followed by the use of prescribed anti-anxiety medications. These two methods are usually combined for faster and more effective relief.

To curb this problem we need to know its root causes. Panic attacks are usually experienced by an individual due to certain reasons.

1. Family History: Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks usually run in families but the cause of it is still unknown.

2. Mental Health Issues: People with (GAD) generalized anxiety disorder or depression can frequently face panic attacks. They are one of the symptoms of these illnesses.

3. Substance Abuse: People with alcohol dependency and drug addiction have an increased risk of panic attacks leading to the development of a panic disorder.

Patients are usually given a combination of psychotherapy and medications like anti-depressants such as (SSRIs) serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, (SNRIs) serotonin-norepinephrine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or (TSAs) tricyclic antidepressants.

Besides that, patients can also be prescribed anti-anxiety medications such as Benzodiazepines which help with curbing anxiety and panic attacks but have risks of addiction. The most common of these are alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Ocd is a feeling with two main parts. Obsessions where patients experience recurring unwanted thoughts and repetitive rule-bound behaviours that a patient keeps repeating in order to ward off anxiety.

There are no official specific classifications but in general ocd 4 categories of symptoms such as:
Cleaning and contamination
Symmetry and orsering
Forbidden thoughts and impulses
Hoarding

BUT specific symptoms vary from person to person. Ocd usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence. Patients experiencing ocd are most of the aware of excessive nature of their obsessions and compulsions but are not able to control such urges.

There are many theories about the root cause of ocd which are not confirmed yet. Some of them are:

Functional abnormalities in the brain.
Due to genetic factors
Habitually repetitive behaviours associated with relief from anxiety

#psychology #mentalhealth #OCD

PTSD (POST TRAUMATIC STRESS) symptoms and treatment

#psychotherapy #psychology #ptsd

WHAT IS PTSD?

Post traumatic stress disorder. It occurs in people who have experienced traumatic events in their lives.

People with PTSD have very extremely disturbing thoughts and feelings associated with the traumatic event even after a long time. They can’t move on from the negative experiences mainly because of flashbacks and nightmares.

People with PTSD tend to avoid things related to the events that remind them of the traumas they went through. In most cases people with PTSD have negative reactions to even the normal things such as a loud noise or an accidental touch.

Symptoms of PTSD.

1. Intrusive thoughts.
Such as recurring memories of a certain event or accident.

2.Negative changes in cognition and mood.

Negative thoughts about oneself and others. Feeling helpless and distant from others. Worried about the future and feeling lost.

3.Avoidance

Avoiding daily life activities in order to not be reminded of the traumas. This usually leads to patients being non-cooperative during therapy because they find it difficult to face their traumas.

Treatment for PTSD

1. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).

The concept is to change a person’s response to something traumatic.

2. Prolonged exposure therapy.

In PE patients are helped confronting their traumas instead of avoiding them. The therapists teach you breathing techniques in the beginning for dealing with the anxiety. Then you slowly start to list your traumas in detail and learn ways to overcome the negative feelings.

3. Medications.

People with PTSD have an easily triggered “fight or flight” response which makes them live on edge. So there are medications that help you stop thinking, dreaming or having flashbacks of the past traumas.

The FDA approved drugs are paroxetine and sertraline for treating PTSD.

Signs of unaware empaths

#motivation #psychology #empath

Empaths are people who can feel emotions of people around them. They have the ability to understand and care for others through hard times. However, unaware empaths can poses danger to themselves and those around them because they can be mishandled mentally and taken advantage of. So here are a few signs of unaware empaths.

1. Attract energy vampires.

2. Struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem.

3. Live as people pleases.

4. Feel ill and drained of energy when surrounded by big crowds.

5. Not in touch with their intuition.

6. Absorb other’s negative emotion.

7. Attract manipulative people.

8. Feel stuck in healing process.

9. Feel creatively blocked.

10. Insecure in relationships.

Identity crisis

#selfimprovment #personality #identitycrisis

Formation of identity is one of the most important part of a person’s life. Erik Erik’s on who originated the concept of identity crisis in his work as a developmental psychologist believes that identity is something that shifts and grows throughout life as people confront new challenges and tackle different experiences. Formation and growth are not confined to adolescence.

Identity crisis is when you start to question who you are and who you want to be. It usu arises in teenagers starting from the age of 12 to 18.

There are quite a few obvious causes for identity crisis in teens. Some of them include:

1. Lack of attachment to parents.

2. Low self-esteem.

3. Absence or negative influence of adults.

4. Lack of acceptance in a peer group.

5. Experiencing a traumatic event.

These are just a few, very common reasons behind identity crisis. It is also common among people with mental illness including depression, codependence, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Symptoms of identity crisis

1. An unrealistic or distorted perception of oneself.

2. Poor academic performance or failure.

3. Low self-esteem.

4. Dramatic behaviour.

5. Use of illegal substances or other self-harming behaviours.

Now let’s discuss the treatment for identity crisis.

1. The most common and suggested way of treatment is to take your time looking inwards and self reflection. Differentiate between your opinions about yourself and what others say about you. Then differentiate between who you are and who you want to be. To do this you can also turn to someone trustworthy to help you out or seek professional help.

2. While searching for your identity, find common and easy things that make you happy. This will help you stay positive and get rid of anxiety that follows identity crisis.

3. Do not compare yourself to others. Comparison can kill your personality. Remember that we are always changing and that nothing stays the same. So do not take your imperfections too seriously to the point where it can become self destructive. Be gentle and kind to yourself especially when others around you don’t.

4. Define your values. Values and personal beliefs, especially your religion can help you grow and lead you in the right direction. It will help you find your voice and sense of self. It will also be helpful to you when you are going to make some crucial choices in your life. It can give you a sense of reassurement when making important decisions.

5. If you are surrounded by toxic people and there is no way to get away from them, then learn to isolate yourself. It’s better to be alone then to be around people that will affect your state of mind in a negative way. Try to find peace in being in your own company. Focus on healing and practising self improving behaviours.

What is self-doubt and how to beat it?

#psychology #motivation #writing

Self-doubt is defined as lack of confidence in oneself and one’s ability. People experience uncertainty most of the time and find it hard to trust their own-selves when it comes to making a concrete decision. Self-doubt is also cause due to an anxiety disorder. It is very common to find it hard to reaching upto your own or other’s expectation when suffering from self-doubt.

How to beat self-doubt?

1. First of all, everyone experiences self-doubt at some point in their lives. So do not panic and seek for help instead of going all bonkers when you realise you are suffering from self-doubt. Take it easy.

2. Do the opposite of what your mind tells about you to make you question your abilities. Van Gogh said that, ” if you hear a voice within you say ‘you can’t paint’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. So go ahead and do all those little things your brain tells you, you can’t do. Submit this idea into your subconscious mind by repeating it.

3. Train your self confidence. To do this is to have the courage to do the things you think you’ll fail at. But most importantly do not expect yourself to win right away. Just be stubborn and keep doing it while changing your strategies till you make it.