Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. We have all been anxious before a test, going to a job interview, or even making an important decision. This type of anxiety is normal and will eventually go away. However, there are some of us who experience anxiety constantly. Research has shown that, “For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time if not treated. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships,” (Anxiety Disorders, 2021). This is something that I have experienced first-hand. I understand what it is like to feel so anxious regarding a specific situation that I am unable to complete normal day to day task. Anxiety can cause a person to have an overwhelming number of emotions, that in turn drains all of your energy. As a Black woman in this current social climate, I have noticed an increase in my anxiety levels. It can be very worrisome to women of color for our Black men and young boys to leave out of the house each day. We live in fear that they may not return home due to the unjust treatment from law enforcement and others in the community.  

Anxiety disorder can be experienced in different forms. Individuals may experience Generalized Anxiety disorder, Panic Disorders, Phobia-related Disorders, as well as many others.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2021), “those with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) display excessive anxiety or worry, most days for at least 6 months, about a number of things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. The fear and anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life, such as social interactions, school, and work.” Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety disorder can include, “feeling restless, wound-up, or on edge, being easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, being irritable, having muscle tension, difficulty controlling feelings of worry, and having sleep problems.” It is also important to note that you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder, however you are not alone. So many people are dealing with anxiety. Not only has there been an increase in anxiety due to racial tension, but also due to the current pandemic we are facing. Basic task such as going to the grocery store can now be dangerous to our health. We are unable to socialize as normal due to Covid restrictions set in place in order to prevent the continuous spread of Covid-19. 

There are many ways you can begin to manage your anxiety. First, if you are in need of guidance for combating this disorder, one solution could be psychotherapy or counseling. Organizations such as Nashville Emotional Wellness (NEW) Counseling are here to help equip you with skills needed to combat and manage different disorders. Our moto is “Real people, helping real people, with real problems.” Therapist at NEW Counseling provide a number of techniques such as grounding techniques, meditation, as well as other therapy modalities in order to help those in need. Remember you are not alone, and help is just a call away. 

Reference
Anxiety Disorders. (n.d.). ( 2021). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml