What You Think Might Be Wrong – Top Anxiety Myths

Amy Taylor March 17, 2014

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Like depression, anxiety is often an overrated mental health issue these days. We all suffer from anxiety sometimes. But how do we know that it’s time to seek help? What are the real symptoms of anxiety? And what are its causes? The lack of awareness, plus the circulating myths, makes dealing with anxiety problems even more difficult for many.

So today, let’s tackle some of the most common misconceptions about anxiety.

Myth #1: Having anxiety isn’t a big deal.

Fact: Anxiety disorders can accompany or have the potential to lead to other illnesses such as depression and substance abuse problems.

Myth #2: Anxiety disorder is not so common.

About one in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year, based on the figures provided by the Mental Health Foundation. Slightly more women are affected than men, and the condition is most common in people in their 20s, according to the NHS. An anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health issues affecting young and old alike.  

Myth #3: The disorder will resolve on its own.

Whilst some people recover from anxiety issues on their own, it is important to have it treated. Over time, anxiety disorder may grew worse and develop into a more serious condition, like depression. There are several methods to treat anxiety disorder, including psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural disorder.

Myth #5: Anxiety is all about fear.

Whilst most cases of anxiety disorder come from excessive fear, this condition has genetic basis too. It is also associated with certain medical conditions, such as such as anaemia, asthma, infections, and several heart conditions. Stress can also spur anxiety problems.

Myth #6: No one can ease an anxious person.

Even though you are not a trained therapist, there are many ways to offer help and support to a person suffering from anxiety disorder. For instance, if you’re looking to put someone with anxiety at ease, the best approach is to ask questions instead of making assumptions of what they might need. You can ask them “How can I be of help?” or “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

Myth #7: A drink or two can soothe anxiety.

A study reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that despite the risks, people suffering from anxiety try to relieve it by self-medicating with substances. You might think that the best way to deal with anxiety is to have a drink or two. Actually, it can make the condition worse. It may help a little, and the effect is only temporary. What’s more, substance use can reinforce anxiety.

Myth #7: To ward off anxiety, you should avoid things that you fear.

Instead of running away from your fears, experts recommend that you face them. "Avoidance is not a good strategy," says David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University. He contends that the more we avoid what we are fearful of, the more anxious we become. On the other hand, the more you deal with them, the more you become capable of overcoming your fears.

Myth #8: Tranquillisers and sleeping pills are the best for anxiety.

Although medications are commonly recommended for people with anxiety problems, they only provide temporary solution and don’t address the root cause of the problem. What’s more, these medications do have side effects. Anxiety is better treated with other treatments like talk therapies, assertiveness training, exercise, or complementary therapies like aromatherapy or massage.

Therapy for anxiety could take forever.

Not really. In fact, you can start to see improvements after the first few sessions. People who use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for instance, experience more at least 50 per cent reduction in symptoms.

Anxiety disorder is real. Like many other mental health conditions, it also comes with symptoms and could lead to worse outcomes if not treated properly and on time.  It can happen to anyone – young or old. Moreover, anxiety disorder is not just all about fears – it could have other causes too. But with the right treatment, it is possible to overcome this debilitating condition.