Excessive worry or anxiety is a significant mental health problem affecting millions of Australians. According to recent data, one in seven Australians battle with anxiety, accounting for about 14.4% of the populace. Causes of anxiety vary, ranging from an underlying mental health disorder to drug abuse and stressful life events.
Generally, research and professional debates focus on the adverse aspects of anxiety. Some studies have shown that individuals experiencing apprehension tend to experience challenges doing everyday operations. They often feel nervous, fearful, and panicky.
Although discussions tend to focus on the undesirable elements of anxiety, recent studies have shown that stress can have some benefits. We already know that anxiety is typified by nervousness and fear that can be engulfing and distracting. However, this article answers whether there are benefits that accompany trepidation.
Defining Anxiety: What Are Its Symptoms?
Anxiety is your body’s natural way of responding to stress. It is often typified by feelings of fear or apprehension regarding what is to come. For instance, students may feel anxious during the first day of college. You may also experience anxiety before attending an interview.
Understand that some degree of occasional anxiety is normal for healthy living. Worrying about your health, financial situation, or familial challenges is perfectly normal. However, anxiety disorders entail more than the occasional feelings of apprehension.
You should seek therapy if anxiety persists for more than a few days and interferes with your functioning. Look for psychology near me to find reliable counselling services. Someone is said to have an anxiety disorder if the feelings of nervousness do not dissipate and get worse with time. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Social phobia;
- Different types of phobias;
- Agoraphobia;
- Panic disorders.
Are There Positive Effects of Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are pretty common and affect close to 30% of adults at least once in their lifetime. However, it is essential to reiterate that anxiety disorders can be treated. Several evidence-based therapy and treatment options are available to help people live normal and productive lives.
While anxiety symptoms can be problematic for people diagnosed with the disorder, research shows some positive elements associated with trepidation. According to experts, some level of apprehension is necessary for motivation and optimal functioning. Here are some benefits related to anxiety.
Anxiety Warns Us of Danger
As we look at some of the benefits of anxiety, it is essential to reiterate that normal nervousness is different from anxiety disorder. Anxiety is our body’s natural reaction to various perceived threats and events. Our body’s internal warning system informs us to prepare for danger or threats.
On the other hand, anxiety disorder is an overwhelming and unamenable feeling of apprehension that persists for months. It can have profound mental health implications for an individual.
Normal anxiety is beneficial in warning us of impending danger. You get a chance to prepare yourself and take steps towards self-protection. In other words, anxiety serves as a warning sign, alerting you of the situation and allowing you to respond to the required changes.
Anxiety Makes People Smarter
If you tend to worry a lot, your anxiety may signify intelligence. The possible link between anxiety and smartness has been the subject of scientific discussion for a while, suggesting that knowledge entails constant anguish.
Recent studies have shown that people who worry a lot are more likely to be intelligent. Thanks to such findings, the notion that worriers are more intelligent than ordinary people makes perfect sense.
In other words, a worried mind constantly works to find solutions to problems. More brilliant individuals possess the cognitive liveliness to look at scenarios from different perspectives.
The bottom line is that worry may not necessarily be bad. Findings show that high IQs are linked to higher levels of concern. Anxiety is associated with better research skills, critical thinking, and enhanced analysis. Apprehension allows you to learn more about situations.
Anxiety Improves Motivation
One of the most significant benefits of anxiety is motivating the individual to take action. According to a recent study, a highly stressful environment allows individuals to become more innovative and motivated.
Instead of always thinking of apprehension as a hindrance, innovative people see it as a shove to become more motivated to complete tasks. For instance, feeling fearful a few days before a test can push you to study more and become better prepared.
Thanks to the apprehension, you can take measures in preparation for the event. This could be why most studies find that students who experience anxiety perform better on tests and assignments.
Anxiety Boosts Resilience
One of the tremendous benefits of anxiety is improving your resilience. For decades, scholars have recognized the benefits of anxiety and stress in daily living. According to some studies, stress and anxiety present us with challenges to overcome. Taking on these challenges pushes our ability to work to the extremes of our capabilities.
In this sense, moderate anxiety levels have protective effects, making people more resilient. For instance, when you feel anxious at a new job or when taking on new roles, you will learn to adapt and develop confidence. In this sense, resilience means the ability to recover from challenging situations. It is one’s capacity to withstand challenges and grow.
The bottom line is that practising reasonable ways to respond to anxiety can help you reach a balance in most aspects of your life. You will be better prepared to handle challenges, work harder, and become more productive. You develop better confidence, acceptance, and leadership skills in the process.
When to Seek Professional Help
Experts indicate that anxiety is a normal response to perceived stress and can be advantageous in specific scenarios. For instance, feeling anxious can alert us to dangers and improve motivation and attention.
While the occasional trepidation is ordinary, anxiety disorders can interfere with your ability to function optimally. They can cause individuals to avoid situations that are likely to lead to apprehension.
People grappling with phobias and anxiety disorders find that their relationships, jobs, and school start to suffer. For someone to be clinically diagnosed with anxiety, their apprehension or fear must:
- Be age-inappropriate or extreme;
- Interfere with normal functioning;
- Recurring and intrusive.
Despite the many benefits of normal anxiety, feeling excessively apprehensive can adversely impact your daily performance of tasks. It is essential to seek the services of a professional therapist when the pressure starts to interfere with your ability to enjoy things you usually consider fun. Also, seek professional assistance when anxiety diminishes your productivity, whether at home, work, or school.
Consider seeking therapy if anxiety makes you feel tired, sleepless, or unable to concentrate. You should also seek intervention if you have health concerns such as stomach upsets and persistent headaches.
