Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder Awareness: Helping Hands, Healing Hearts

Introduction

Welcome to Echoes of Silence. In this guide, we'll differentiate between everyday anxiety and anxiety disorders, offer practical tips on supporting those with anxiety disorders and explore valuable resources. Let's journey together towards understanding and healing. 

Read till the end to know the burdens on my heart for you or a friend struggling with this disorder.

Story Time

In bustling Lagos, Ngozi grapples with anxiety. Initially, it's just pre-meeting jitters or social worries. But over six months, it worsens. Daily tasks trigger panic attacks. She withdraws from loved ones. Finally, she seeks help and discovers it's not just everyday anxiety—it's a disorder. This story highlights the importance of recognising when anxiety crosses the line and seeking professional support.

Difference Between Everyday Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder

Feeling anxious from time to time doesn’t mean you have an anxiety disorder. Remember that anxiety is a natural and universal human response. It is a feeling or worry about future events. For example; that uneasy feeling that you have before a big test or meeting new people or that jittery feeling and restlessness that you experience while waiting for important news. Anxiety is characterized by stress, worry, tension and alertness.

Let us deviate for a bit and answer the question: How does it differ from fear? 

Fear is a response to an immediate threat or danger, such as encountering a wild animal or even a cockroach for some ladies like myself or being in a dangerous situation like being robbed at night or having a gun pointed at your head. Anxiety is caused by focusing on events that are yet to happen. 

What is an anxiety disorder? 

People may use the word “anxiety” more often to refer to anxiety disorder which is what I knew it as before I embarked on this study. Regardless, anxiety disorder goes beyond the typical anxiousness. Anxiety disorders are diagnosed by a mental health professional based on specific criteria. I identified types of anxiety disorders last week. Now let us contrast between everyday anxiety and anxiety disorders:

Aspect	Everyday Anxiety	Anxiety Disorder
Duration	Short-lived, temporary (lasts only as long as the specific stressor or problem persists)	Persistent, lasting for at least 6 months
Severity	Mild to moderate	Severe, often debilitating
Triggers	Typically proportional to specific events or situations	Can occur without specific triggers or in response to minor stressors
Impact on Functioning	Minimal interference with daily activities	Significant disruption to work, relationships, and daily life
Physical Symptoms	Occasional mild physical symptoms (e.g., sweating, rapid heartbeat, muscle tension or dry mouth)	Intense and frequent physical manifestations (e.g., panic attacks, headaches or muscle soreness) in addition to the symptoms of regular anxiety
Seeking Help	Often manageable without professional intervention. Coping strategies like deep breathing, and relaxation techniques are usually effective	Requires professional help for accurate diagnosis and treatment (therapy, medication)

How to help people with anxiety disorder

1. Educate yourself: To better comprehend what they are going through and to be prepared in the event of a panic attack or incapacitating withdrawal, educate yourself on the signs and causes of anxiety disorders. 

2. Offer Support: Be patient, empathetic, and non-judgmental. Encourage open communication and validate their feelings.

3. Listen Actively: Give them your undivided attention while they share their worries and anxieties. They feel as though their value has been acknowledged as a result. 

4. Encourage treatment: It is important to get professional help from a therapist or counsellor who specialises in anxiety disorders, even though you might be able to assist them to some extent by researching the disease. One way to reassure them that everything will be alright is to go with them to the appointment when possible.

5. Practice self-care: In addition to making every effort to support a loved one, you should practise self-care to look after yourself. Only when you are in good bodily and mental health will you be able to assist them as best you can. Try exercises, relaxation techniques and healthy lifestyle habits.

6. Set limitations: Recognise your boundaries. Not all of their issues can be resolved by you. Promote self-help, but know when to seek expert assistance. Always seek out expert assistance. 

7. Express Concern: Even while you might be unable to lessen the severity of a panic attack, you could still be there and offer comfort. Express concern as soon as you notice them stepping away from things they used to enjoy doing or that are necessary for their future. For example; I've seen that you no longer engage in this pastime, which you used to adore and which is crucial to your development. Please tell me what's wrong and confide in me. You'll return to active listening by doing this. 

In Nigeria, several organisations provide support for individuals dealing with anxiety disorders:

1. Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI): MANI is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing support for those affected by mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders. They offer 24/7 helplines, online support groups, and educational resources. Their platform is a valuable resource for those seeking help and information. For more information, you can visit the MANI website. If you or someone you know needs assistance, consider reaching out to MANI.

2. Therapy Apps: Mobile applications like Psycare, HelplineNG, and Talkspace offer convenient access to therapy and mental health support services for individuals dealing with anxiety disorders in Nigeria.

3. The Olive Prime Psychological Services: This mental health facility provides a range of services, including individual and group therapy, psychiatric assessments, and counselling for individuals dealing with anxiety disorders. They have branches in Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities in Nigeria.

In addition to organisations, there are valuable resources for understanding and managing anxiety disorders. Some helpful ones are:

1. Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): They offer videos, blog posts, webinars, tips for managing stress and anxiety, screening tools, and more. They also provide a wealth of resources related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Access their helpful resources.

2. Other Resources: Check out resources from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) or the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Burdens on my heart

It weighs heavily on my heart to know that while these resources can offer support, true healing often requires more than just human intervention. Without the guidance of the Great Physician, our efforts may fall short. I don't aim to impose my beliefs on you, but I feel compelled to share the truth I've found in Jesus Christ. He offers healing for all ailments, including anxiety disorders. By embracing His life and claiming His promises of healing through faith, we can experience breakthroughs, whether instant or gradual. Delving into His teachings, found in the Bible, can gradually ease our worries. While seeking professional help and medication are valid options, placing our trust solely in them overlooks the ultimate healer, Jesus Christ, who offers more than physical restoration—he offers salvation for the soul.

My three favourite scriptures that assure the new man (female or male born again) in Christ of healing are:

Matthew 8:17 (AMP)- so that He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He Himself took our infirmities [upon Himself] and carried away our diseases.”

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)- who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you WERE healed. (emphasis added)

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)- But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes, we ARE healed. (emphasis added)

Hallelujah, it is a done deal. Don’t hope for healing. Claim your healing if you are in Christ.

References

Dibdin, E. (2021, September 14). How to Help Someone with Anxiety: 6 Ways. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety#listen

Lindberg, S. (2023). How to Help a Friend or Loved One With Anxiety. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety-5089005

McGuire, J. (2020). How to Help Someone with Anxiety. Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety

Pugle, M. (2024, March 25). Anxious or Anxiety Disorder? Here’s How to Tell the Difference. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-disorders/are-you-just-feeling-anxious-or-do-you-have-an-anxiety-disorder/#anxiousness

Telloian, C. (2021, November 17). Anxious vs. Anxiety: When Does Anxiety Become a Problem? Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/anxious-vs-anxiety#anxiety-vs-anxiousness