According to data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 18.1% of Americans over the age of 18 are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. However, only 36.9% of these people received treatment.
When it comes to dealing with anxiety, what works for one person may not work for another. Well, these five things are generally considered good for helping to calm anxiety, but actually trigger or worsen anxiety disorder survivors.
Consuming Too Much Caffeine
The effects of consuming too much caffeine tend to be more negative than positive. Launching from the Insider page, if you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but can't get rid of caffeine consumption, try to limit your daily intake.
"Caffeine seems harmless, but when it comes to anxiety, it can trigger or increase those symptoms," says Autumn Collier, a psychotherapist at Collier Counseling.
Avoiding Anxiety Triggering Situations
Putting yourself in every situation is not easy, especially for people with anxiety disorders. Surely you will think that avoiding the situation is the right solution. However, the solution is actually not really right.
Quoted from Anxiety.org, it's a good idea for you to try exposure techniques or therapy. With the help of a therapist, you will be helped to deal with what you can and cannot handle.
This exposure therapy can provide initial support in reducing anxiety and enhancing the experience effectively.
However, if you really find it very difficult to deal with situations that can trigger anxiety, or your situation is getting more and more disturbed, then you can avoid those triggers.
Eating Too Much Sweet Food
Consuming sugary foods or drinks may be considered to calm anxiety, but on the other hand it can also damage mental health.
When we are sad, we will usually be given advice to eat ice cream so that the mind is calmer and happier. Although very tasty, consuming large amounts of sugar can make you feel worried, irritable, and sad.
Citing the Health Line page, it's okay if you eat sweet foods or drinks in small portions. However, if you eat too much, your anxiety symptoms may manifest more intensely.
Avoiding Negative Thoughts
Forcing negative thoughts out of your head too much won't make them go away. Because, managing negative thoughts in your head requires effort that is not easy. On the one hand, you have to get rid of these negative thoughts. On the other hand, you have to manage it well without letting these thoughts manifest.
Quoted from The Active Times, you can try to communicate with yourself more deeply. You can ask yourself questions to start looking for the root cause of these negative thoughts and feelings of anxiety.
This is an effective way so that you can find a lot of things and unpack one by one the contents of your head and the things that trigger anxiety come.
Spending Time With the Wrong People
There is a significant difference between spending time with people who understand anxiety and spending time with people who have a tendency to be judgmental. Surround yourself with people who understand your worries.
Another thing in the case of anxiety, maybe you have people around you who are also struggling with anxiety. On the one hand this can be very helpful.
However, if these people are in a self-sabotaging mindset or are very negative about dealing with anxiety, you are likely to start behaving that way. Compiled from The Active Times, try to find people who can understand your anxiety disorder and also support you in a positive way.
It may take some effort and time to help calm the anxiety you're having. However, remember that there are many things out there that will help improve your mental state and make your life happier. Don't be discouraged to keep finding ways to coexist with your anxiety, okay!