Anxiety and Epilepsy: How To Put A Stop To It Before It Puts A Stop To You

“Anxiety is one little tree in your forest. Step back and look at the whole forest.” Unknown

Anxiety. A faceless beast that affects us all at some time or another. That affects an estimated 40 million adults in The United States aged 18 or older, or 18% of the population even deeper. It’s a helpful and hurtful villain that pays a visit when and where it pleases. Helpful by way of alerting us to dangers therefore preparing us for ‘fight’ or ‘flight’.

How Is Anxiety Hurtful?

Anxiety has the ability to grow like a weed and tangle like a vine. Again, we all experience anxiety at some time or another. A tough work week, traumatic experience in the past, a health issue or perhaps you cannot explain why. However, when you begin noticing on a regular basis:

Emotional Symptoms

• Feelings of panic
• Feelings of fear
• Feelings of uneasiness
• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling tense and jumpy
• Anticipating the worst
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Feeling like your mind has gone blank

Physical Symptoms

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Stomach upset
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Tremors and twitches
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Anxiety has got more than just a so-so kind of grip on you and it’s time for you to tell anxiety that you will no longer be bullied or pushed around. It’s time to take control back.

As epilepsy fighters, family members, caregivers and friends, we especially know this is important because anxiety/stress is a seizure trigger and we want to do everything in our power to avoid and eliminate anxiety.

Tips To Avoid/Eliminate Anxiety

• Breathe – Slow steady breaths to calm down.
• Walk – 10 – 15 minutes to get some fresh air
• Talk – To close family and friends
• Cut Back On Social Media – Studies show cutting down on social media usage can eliminate feelings of anxiety.
• Exercise – Studies show regular exercise works just as well as medication to reduce anxiety.

Are you feeling anxiety in your life? You aren’t alone. There are an estimated 40 million people wrestling with anxiety. Those of us who are on the journey with epilepsy have an even greater obligation to keep anxiety far away from our every day lives. Anxiety happens to us. We’re human. But we don’t have to be controlled by it. We don’t have to be owned by it. Include these helpful tips listed above into your every day routine and make your life a bit easier.

Have more helpful tips that weren’t listed? Share them in the comment section!