We often hear the term, anxiety, but what is it exactly? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Anxiety can be classified as “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs, by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.” For those who have experienced it, these feelings are very real.  Did you know that there are several types of anxiety/anxiety disorders? They range from general anxiety to phobias.

• General anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias

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Symptoms of Anxiety

There are many symptoms of anxiety, some very disrupted and others that go unnoticed. These symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Rapid heart rate
• Nervousness, restlessness, tension
• Sense of doom
• A constant state of panic mode or danger beware mode
• Shaking
• The overwhelming sense of feeling weak/tired
• Can’t think of anything else other than what you’re currently worried about. Not letting the thought go.

If you have experienced any of these, then you may have encountered reactions from others. Your friends and family may label what you are feeling as overthinking. Somewhere along the line, you have surely been told not to stop worrying or have been accused of overreacting. Others are not feeling what you do. So, stop and listen closely to your body and mind. Your body is trying to tell you something. Maybe you have anxiety or maybe it is trying to tell you something else is going on within the body. Either way - pay attention and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

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Anxiety and Thyroid Conditions

It is important to note that, many times, anxiety can be an underlining sign of a thyroid condition. If this is your situation, simply treating the anxiety is only masking a bigger problem. It is important to get to the root cause.  When dealing with a thyroid condition your body's hormones are not properly functioning which can lead to feelings of anxiety and in some cases even depression. You may experience an increase in anxiety with hypothyroidism (underactive) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Healing the thyroid can get rid of anxiety.

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How to Handle Anxiety

Although anxiety can be extremely hard to work through, there are steps you can take to address it naturally. Below is a list of tools you can utilize to help you get started.

• Stay active, physically: Exercise, make it a routine that you can look forward to, and keep yourself mentally and physically active. This can be something as simple as a walk down the block.
• Eating habits: Eat healthily and avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. Alcohol and recreational drugs can worsen anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques: Yoga and mindful meditation are just a couple of relaxation strategies that can help ease your anxiety.
• Triggers: Learn to pinpoint what sets off your anxiety. Once you do this you can get a better feel as to how to handle the environment you are in and adapt accordingly.

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Remember, anxiety could be a symptom of a bigger health concern. So while you learn to manage it naturally, seek help to get to the root cause of it, too. And, we can help.

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Learn more about treating your anxiety naturally and healing your thyroid with Dr. Randy Hansbrough and his team. Call the office at (772) 287-7701 to schedule an appointment. Or sign up for a free, 30-minute consultation.