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Do
You Have Anxiety or Social Phobia?
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How
Anxiety and Panic Are Necessary:
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| Anxiety and panic are designed into each of us by our Creator to serve useful and healthy purposes. Panic intensifies your senses to recognize danger and energizes your body to escape or fight. Anxiety or fear signals that something is wrong and if not fixed, could lead to danger. It motivates you to action. But sometimes these assets can malfunction. |
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Is
This You?
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If you experience anxiety or panic for no apparent or logical reason, you may be malfunctioning! Panic associated with social settings, even when involving only one other person, is considered social phobia. The following links describe some symptoms, based on my experiences and on what others have told me, for abnormal anxiety, social phobia, and pure panic: |
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What
Causes This Stuff?
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These mental malfunctions fall under the clinical category known as Anxiety Disorder. Contrary to what many sufferers may believe, there is nothing shameful, mysterious or crazy about anxiety disorder. It is a malfunction of the brain wiring caused in part by low supplies of the neurotransmitter (nerve cell messenger) serotonin. The job of serotonin is to carry an all-calm message to the various brain structures involved in producing anxiety and panic. They remain calm, when life is calm. When serotonin levels fall, these brain structures signal the body to produce all the symptoms of anxiety and panic. This is a good thing when the environment calls for action, but a real terrorizing menace when life is otherwise calm. Low serotonin levels can result simply from genetic programming. If a parent had it, you may have it too. However, early childhood learning or a mentally healthy environment can prevent anxiety disorder from being manifest. On the other hand, early childhood learning (bad experiences) and a stressful environment can cause serotonin to be low even though the genes don’t program for anxiety disorder. |
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What
Can You Do?
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We are so blessed in these modern times with so many ways and opportunities to find help in overcoming anxiety and social phobia (and other forms of panic). You need not suffer any longer. If possible, see a doctor. He may refer you to a mental health professional. Be honest with the doctor and open-minded about medication. It could be a true blessing, especially if your anxiety and/or phobia is severe. Remember, anxiety is largely a physical (brain) problem and there is no shame in treating it. Find someone in whom to confide (a parent, teacher, friend, pastor, etc.). Read books on anxiety. They are very helpful, encouraging and inspirational. Check out the rest of my webpage and see if my book can help you. Most importantly, stay close to God; He cares, He leads, and He’s all-powerful. |