When anxiety occurs, it is a way of preparing the body to fight or flight. However, an anxiety disorder is the faulty activation of this system when there is no actual danger present. Over time, the constant triggering of anxiety can lead to certain behaviors, since it puts the body and brain into overdrive. Here are four behaviors that can take place as a result of anxiety.
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Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
When it comes to separation anxiety in adults, they are more likely to engage in substance abuse in order to cope with the stress of perpetual anxiety. They are designed to dull the anxiety so that it does not feel as overbearing. However, this complicates and increases the problems that the individual faces, usually that they’re not equipped to handle. For example, alcohol use can actually increase anxiety as a result of dehydration and stress on the body. Substance use isn’t the only unhealthy coping mechanism; any strategy that is used to dull anxiety can lead to significant issues in the future.
Agoraphobia
Anxiety disorders can lead to people developing agoraphobia, where they refuse to leave their homes because they fear what might happen if they leave. People will start to associate specific locations with panic attacks and choose not to go to those places any longer. They start to believe that the only safe place they can be is at home.
Compulsions
When people hear the word “compulsions,” they typically think of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, they can occur as a result of different anxiety disorders. Compulsions can be behaviors that people engage in to dispel any negative, anxiety-inducing thoughts. These compulsions can be related to fear or obsession, or they can be related to the need for order in order to feel in control of the situation. Some of these behaviors may also just be coincidental, such as randomly noticing that walking through a door backward eliminates one’s anxious thoughts, for example.
Nervous Tics
Tics should not be confused with habits. Habits are more under the person’s control and occur when a person feels stressed, while a tic is less under a person’s control, such as blinking more or bouncing their leg up and down. It can be difficult to figure out how tics develop in the first place, or why they affect some people and not others. However, they are quite common in people with anxiety disorders.
Thought Behaviours Of Anxiety
Physical behaviors are not the only symptoms of anxiety; these are thought behaviors as well. These include:
● sleep disturbances
● negative self-talk
● convincing yourself that something is wrong with you
● changes in posture or engaging in another activity as a result of anxiety
Taking care of your mental health is essential to the health of the physical body as well. If you believe that you or someone you know is dealing with an anxiety disorder, speak to your primary care physician or a mental health professional to receive a proper diagnosis so that you can develop a care plan.
