Anxiety is a part of life that many people ignore. If it doesn’t impact you personally, then it likely impacts someone you know. Some people might think that anxiety is just an excuse for staying in bed or not taking part in daily activities. However, these are among the myths about anxiety disorders that should be cleared up. Some of the most common misconceptions are mentioned below.
It’s Not Real
There are some people who become panicked in certain situations. This is a normal part of life. Someone who has an anxiety disorder has an illness that is real and that sometimes can’t be controlled by simply taking a few minutes to take some deep breaths. There might not be a blood test or scan that can detect an anxiety disorder like other illnesses, but there are tests that can be done by our professionals to determine if you have a disorder.
Losing Control
Passing out because of a panic attack is one of the most common myths associated with anxiety disorders. Many people believe that when an attack occurs, you get so overwhelmed that you can’t breathe and that you faint. During most panic attacks, your heart rate will begin to increase. Your blood pressure will begin to increase as well. You might feel like you’re going to pass out because of your racing heart and might even want to pass out, but most people only faint when their blood pressure drops instead of increases.
Avoiding Situations
A myth that is often circulated about people who have anxiety disorders is that they have to stay away from certain situations that can trigger their anxiety. When you realize what can trigger your panic attacks, you usually want to avoid those situations. However, there aren’t situations that are indicated that you must avoid just because you have an anxiety disorder.
Worrying About Nothing
People worry about things that they face in life. One myth about anxiety disorders is that the person just worries about any little thing instead of dealing with the circumstance. Most anxiety disorders are inherited from your parents. If you noticed one or both parents worrying about things all the time and experiencing the same symptoms that you have, then it’s a good possibility that you inherited your disorder from that parent. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms that you have.
Visit Montana Psychiatry & Brain Health Center to talk about the fears that you have regarding anxiety and the way you feel when you get anxious so that the proper treatments can be put in place for you. Contact us today to book an appointment at our office in Billings.