Realities For People Living With Anxiety Disorder

Often Catastrophize

Individuals with anxiety disorders often catastrophize. Catastrophizing is exactly what it sounds like: worrying about catastrophes that can happen. It's common for patients with anxiety disorders to fixate on the worst possible thing that could happen, or to come up with multiple worst-case scenarios. While it's natural to consider the potential consequences of one's actions, individuals with anxiety disorders have two marked differences from the average neurotypical person. First, they tend to have overwhelmingly negative and fearful views of situations. It's extremely difficult for them to see potential positive outcomes as easily as negative ones. Second, the catastrophes they come up with mentally may not be likely or even possible. Patients with anxiety disorders fixate on potentially negative scenarios and experience the same worry and fear as if the scenario had actually happened.

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Often Linked To OCD And Depression

Anxiety disorders are often linked to depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some studies indicate fifty percent of those with either depression or an anxiety disorder actually have both conditions. In addition, OCD is considered an anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder can even sometimes turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder. With OCD, patients experience intrusive thoughts and obsessive thought spirals they can't control. These obsessions often lead to compulsive behavior to help mitigate the worry and fear. With depression, affected individuals may feel a sense of apathy and listlessness. They may also be unusually fatigued and unhappy. Depressed individuals often lose interest in their hobbies and social relationships. Generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety can lead to depression, especially if they inhibit an individual's day-to-day life.

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