Anxiety is a natural human response to perceived stress or some kind of threat. Sometimes anxiety can be beneficial as well, helping us stay focused, and alert for upcoming challenges. However, when anxiety becomes intense and persistent it can start interfering with our daily lives and disrupt our well-being to the point of dysfunction. In this article, we’ll understand how moderate anxiety differs from normal anxiety and also learn a few ways to manage it
Understanding Anxiety
Everyone experiences some amount of anxiety in their everyday lives, it is quite normal. However, anxiety can be quite distressing if it turns into a disorder. An anxiety disorder is characterized by intense and persistent feelings of worry and hyperarousal that can disturb everyday functioning.
Anxiety often exists in a spectrum ranging from mild anxiety to panic-level anxiety. Mild anxiety may make a person seem shy, nervous and self-conscious but it is unlikely to significantly interfere with one’s daily functioning. However, if left unaddressed, mild anxiety can turn into severe forms of anxiety or an anxiety disorder.
How Does Moderate Anxiety Differ From MIld Anxiety?
Moderate anxiety is the second level of anxiety. Moderate anxiety differs from mild anxiety in terms of intensity and duration of symptoms. While mild anxiety can cause occasional nervousness or worry, moderate anxiety can take more intense forms with a person feeling ‘on the edge’ or being unable to control their worry for many days in a week, causing a disturbance in their daily functioning. Additionally, moderate anxiety can also show up in physical and psychological forms such as:
- Physical Symptoms- muscle tension, frequent palpitations, restlessness, difficulties in sleeping, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues
- Psychological Symptoms– Unable to focus on work, persistent worry, always feeling ‘on the edge’, wanting to avoid anxiety-provoking situations
These symptoms are more severe and persistent as compared to mild anxiety and lead to difficulties in everyday functioning.
What Happens If Moderate Anxiety Remains Unaddressed?
Moderate anxiety can have several harmful effects on both physical and mental health. Physically, moderate anxiety can lead to chronic stress, which can lead to several other issues, such as heart disease, low immunity, etc. As mentioned earlier, persistent worry can also lead to a lack of sleep, which can worsen both physical and mental health
Moderate anxiety can also have a significant impact on one’s confidence, social interactions and work. Intense and persistent worry can cause difficulty in concentration, leading to reduced productivity. It can also lead people to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. In some cases, people may even start isolating themselves. Additionally, some people may even rely on unhealthy coping strategies such as smoking or alcoholism to reduce anxiety, putting them at risk of other mental health issues.
How To Cope With Moderate Anxiety?
While moderate anxiety can be distressing, one can cope with it using various techniques, such as:
- Relaxation Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and, visualizing positive imagery can help reduce anxiety
- Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and reduced caffeine and alcohol intake, can significantly decrease anxiety levels. Additionally, setting a routine engaging in hobbies, and seeking support from friends and family can help reduce anxiety as well.
- Mindfulness practices such as meditation can help you be in the present and accept your thoughts without judgment, leading to reduced anxiety
- Lastly, seeking professional help from a trained therapist can be effective in coping with anxiety. A therapist can help you find the root causes of anxiety, while also providing you with techniques to cope with it
- In some cases, medications may be required to treat anxiety if it is causing a severe disruption in one’s life.
Conclusion:
Anxiety is a natural stress response, some amount of anxiety is normal and can be even motivating, but a moderate level of anxiety can impact one’s daily life negatively. If left unaddressed, it can even lead to a severe form of anxiety and the development of ineffective coping mechanisms, worsening the situation. So, if you experience moderate forms of anxiety, it is advisable to consult a mental health professional at the earliest
References:
- Different Levels of Anxiety & Stages of Panic Attacks (Mild, Moderate & Severe). (n.d.). The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/anxiety/levels-of-anxiety/
- Rn), O. R. for N. (Open, Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (2022). Chapter 9 Anxiety Disorders. In Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts [Internet]. Chippewa Valley Technical College. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590031/
- The 4 Different Levels and Stages of Anxiety. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.recoverykansascity.com/mental-health/levels-of-anxiety/
- Valentin, A. (2022, February 9). The 4 Levels of Anxiety | Clearbrook Treatment Pennsylvania. Clearbrook Treatment Centers. https://www.clearbrookinc.com/news/4-levels-of-anxiety/
- wellness, time. (2023, November 3). The 4 Stages of Anxiety. Time Wellness Tennessee. https://timewellnesscenters.com/4-stages-of-anxiety/
