Anxiety is something everyone experiences from time to time, but it crosses the line into the category of severe once it begins to dominate a person and limit their quality of life. Severe anxiety can cripple an individual by making them feel as if it’s difficult for them to leave their home, complete their work, or maintain their familial or social responsibilities.
People’s anxiety can stem from a variety of external influences or biological factors, but it usually circles back to general feelings of fear about the unknown or not feeling totally in control of a situation. In this guide, we’ve outlined several of the ways that extreme anxiety can hamper an individual’s ability to function and negatively impact their outlook on life.
Worrying About Health or Safety
Hypochondria, or health anxiety, is a condition where an individual feels convinced that they have a grave illness, regardless of proof. Hypochondriacs may obsess over certain sensations their bodies feel during daily life, fearing that they’re clear indicators of a serious undiagnosed disease. They may extensively research their symptoms, visit doctors more frequently than needed, or take unnecessary medications. While some measure of concern over your health and prioritizing it is always a good thing, constantly thinking about it or having trouble believing a physician when they tell you you’re okay is where problems can arise. People with hypochondria may feel afraid to go out in public for fear of getting sick or harmed in any way.
For those who struggle with extreme anxiety, recent news stories can also trigger their safety fears. For example, reading or watching a report about a recent catastrophic public safety event may cause them to avoid doing things like driving over bridges or going to places where many people will be present at a given time. When a person’s will to leave the house is impacted by severe anxiety (even to simply complete basic necessary tasks), it’s essential for treatment options to be explored.
Fearing Social Interactions
Some people’s anxiety stems from social factors. Being in large crowds, not knowing anyone and the idea of being asked questions one doesn’t know the answer to can result in fear or reluctance to attend gatherings.
People with social anxiety may also feel trepidation over becoming embarrassed in a group setting, appearing socially awkward, or having difficulty relating to someone they’re holding a conversation with. All of these factors can combine to form a strong wave of stress that can weigh on a person’s mind and cause them to steer clear of social events altogether. If an individual continues to practice social avoidance at all costs, it can reinforce in their subconscious that never leaving the house is their only way to experience true comfort. This is a potentially unhealthy practice that a person can become conditioned into regularly doing. From a mental health (and anxiety) perspective, it’s important to step outside your comfort zone every once in a while by being in the company of other people.
Needing The Comfort of Home
Whether due to a feeling of protection from the outside world or having to leave behind familiar nearby resources, leaving home can cause anxiety for certain individuals. Within the comfort of their residence, a person may find solace and want to stay there more than any other place or fear traveling to new locations because it will represent a departure from what they’re comfortable with.
Some anxiety associated with traveling is normal. However, allowing travel anxiety to take hold in such an extreme way that you’re hesitant to leave the house can be detrimental to your responsibilities and limit your quality of life.
Feeling Physically Ill Constantly From Anxiety
As we recently discussed in another article, anxiety can make a person feel physically sick as well, even if they’re in good health. When our bodies don’t feel 100%, having to push through our ailments to complete daily responsibilities can seem like a tremendous challenge. Several common physical symptoms of excessive anxiety include:
- Insomnia
- Headaches or vertigo
- Racing heart and shortness of breath
- Panic attacks
- Weakness in the limbs or extremities
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cramps or sharp stomach pains
When one or more of these symptoms are felt, it can be challenging for a person to function independently and not fixate on them, even if the physical sensations aren’t indicative of a serious disease. Between both the mental and physical symptoms of their anxiety, a person may also feel reliant on medications to get through the day and set their fears aside. While certain medications are proven to help reduce anxiety, overusing substances (whether they’re prescribed or not) can have an adverse effect, causing a person to feel even more trapped when it comes to their mental health. If your anxiety has become debilitating, limiting your day-to-day functionality and hindering you from doing the things you love, it’s time to seek professional help. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we specialize in administering proven treatments and support programs for those who struggle with severe and prolonged anxiety. Our therapists and medical staff are fully licensed professionals whose sole mission is to help patients receive life-changing treatment. If you’re interested in learning more about our behavioral health facility and all the services we offer, we encourage you to contact us today.
