Anxiety Unpacked
Introduction Have you ever had to give a big, important speech or presentation in front of a room full of people? Did you feel like your heart was pounding, palms becoming sweaty & your mind going blank? This horrible feeling isn’t just stage fright, but also a sign of anxiety. According to Medline Plus, anxiety is a feeling of “fear, dread, and uneasiness” that can cause one “to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat” (MedlinePlus, 2023). Furthermore, anxiety doesn’t only arise during distressing events (trauma, car accidents, etc.), but they can also occur easily during daily, normal situations as well. For instance, one might feel anxious ordering food at a restaurant, talking to their boss or meeting someone new for the first time. Because of how easily it can arise, anxiety disorders have become “the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults” (ADAA 2022). But, what's the root cause of this overwhelming feeling? Th...