Anxiety is an emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. For some, anxiety can be a minor annoyance. For others, anxiety can be debilitating and interfere with daily life.
You’ve probably experienced an anxiety spiral at some point in your life. It’s when your anxiety gets so bad that it becomes hard to get out of it. You feel like you’re sinking, and there’s no way out. This is a common problem, and it’s one that you can learn to overcome.
This article will discuss stopping an anxiety spiral and recovering from your anxiety disorder.
What is an Anxiety Spiral?
Anxiety spirals are a negative feedback loop that can quickly increase anxiety and stress levels.
The spiral can be caused by several things, including worrying about things that have already happened or might happen in the future, feeling like you can’t control your anxiety, or struggling with intrusive thoughts.
The spiral can quickly become a vicious circle that’s hard to break out of, but there are steps you can take to help get started.
Causes of Anxiety Spirals
Anxiety spirals are a very real and very scary thing. They can happen to anyone at any time and can be caused by various things.
Here are some of the most common causes of anxiety spirals:
1. A traumatic event: Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event can cause a person to develop anxiety and/or PTSD. This can lead to anxiety spirals, as the person relives the trauma repeatedly.
2. A major life change: Sometimes, a big change in a person’s life (like a move, a new job, a death in the family, etc.) can trigger anxiety. This is because the person is no longer in their “comfort zone” and feels uncertain about the future.
3. Physical health problems: Certain physical health problems can cause or worsen anxiety.
For example, someone with an anxiety disorder may also have thyroid problems, which can cause the anxiety to spiral out of control.
4. Medication side effects: Some medications (especially those used to treat anxiety and depression) can have anxiety as a side effect. This can make the anxiety worse and lead to spirals.
5. Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate can worsen anxiety in the long run. This is because the substances can cause the body to become even more stressed, leading to more anxiety.
Suppose you or someone you know is dealing with anxiety spirals. In that case, seeking help from a mental health professional is important. They can help you understand what is causing the spirals and develop a plan to manage them.
Signs That You’re in an Anxiety Spiral
If you’re struggling with anxiety, you may feel in a never-ending cycle of worry and stress.
Here are some signs that you may be in an anxiety spiral:
1. You’re constantly worrying about things that may never happen: If you worry about things that are unlikely to happen, it may be a sign that you’re in an anxiety spiral.
For example, you may worry about getting sick even though you’re healthy, or you may worry about losing your job even though you’re performing well at work.
2. You’re unable to relax or enjoy life: If anxiety is taking over your life, you may find it difficult to relax and enjoy your hobbies and activities. Instead of looking forward to your free time, you may feel dread and anxiety about what you will do.
3. You’re struggling to concentrate or sleep: Anxiety can cause problems with concentration and sleep. If you’re finding it hard to focus at work or school or having trouble sleeping, it may be a sign that you’re in an anxiety spiral.
4. You’re using alcohol or drugs to cope: If you’re using alcohol or drugs to cope with your anxiety, it’s a sign that your anxiety is out of control. Drinking or using drugs may help you feel better in the short term, but it will only worsen your anxiety in the long term.
5. You’re isolating yourself from others: Anxiety can make you feel alone in your struggle. You may start isolating yourself from your friends and family and stop doing activities you used to enjoy.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. You can learn how to manage your anxiety and live a fulfilling life with treatment.
How to Stop Anxiety Spiral?
Anxiety spirals can be incredibly debilitating. Once you start feeling anxious, it can be hard to stop. Your mind starts racing, and you can’t seem to calm down. It can feel like you’re trapped in a never-ending cycle of worry and stress.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from anxiety disorders. There are things you can do to break out of the spiral of anxiety and take back control of your life.
Here are some tips to stop an anxiety spiral:
1. Identify the trigger: What is making you feel anxious? Is it a specific situation, such as public speaking or flying? Or is it a more general feeling of anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere?
Identifying the trigger can be helpful in two ways. First, it can help you to understand what’s causing your anxiety. Second, it can help you to find ways to avoid or cope with the trigger.
2. Take a step back: Once you’ve identified the trigger, take a step back and assess the situation objectively. Is the trigger as dangerous or stressful as your mind is making it out to be?
Often, our anxiety is much worse than the reality of the situation.
Taking a step back lets you see the situation more clearly and put your anxiety into perspective.
3. Challenge your thoughts: Anxiety is often caused by negative, unhelpful thoughts. For example, you might tell yourself that you will fail or not good enough.
Challenging your negative thoughts can help to reduce your anxiety. When you think something negative, stop and ask whether there’s any evidence to support it. Chances are, there isn’t.
4. Breathe: When you feel anxious, your breathing can become shallow and rapid. This can make your anxiety worse.
Focusing on breathing can help slow your heart rate and calm your nerves. Try inhaling for a count of four and then exhaling for a count of four. Repeat this for a few minutes.
5. Get moving: Exercise is a great way to reduce anxiety. It helps to release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
Even a short burst of exercise can make a difference. If you can’t go for a run or to the gym, try something else that increases your heart rate, such as walking, dancing, or gardening.
6. Connect with others: Isolation can make anxiety worse. We’re more likely to ruminate on our worries and stress when alone.
Spending time with others can help to take your mind off your anxiety and give you a much-needed break. Whether you meet up with friends, family, or a support group, socializing can greatly reduce anxiety.
7. Practice relaxation techniques: Many different techniques can help reduce anxiety. Some popular techniques include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing.
Relaxation techniques can take time to master, but they’re well worth the effort. Once you know how to relax, you’ll have a valuable tool to help you cope with anxiety.
8. Seek professional help: If your anxiety is severe or persistent, it’s important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand and manage your anxiety.
Don’t suffer in silence. Help is available. If you’re struggling with anxiety, contact a therapist or counselor today.
Tips for Preventing Anxiety Spirals
Anxiety spirals are a common problem for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. These spirals can cause an increase in anxiety levels that can be difficult to manage.
Here are five tips for preventing anxiety spirals:
1. Stay mindful of your thoughts and feelings: One of the best ways to avoid getting trapped in an anxiety spiral is to stay mindful of your thoughts and feelings.
When you start to feel anxious, take a step back and assess what might be causing it.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by a project at work? Are you worried about something going on in your personal life?
Once you’ve identified your anxiety’s cause, devise a plan to address it. If work stresses you out, try taking a break to relax or talking to your supervisor about ways to manage the project.
2. Avoid letting yourself get overwhelmed: If you’re starting to get overwhelmed, take a step back and try to assess the situation.
Are you feeling overloaded because of many things at once, or is one specific thing causing your anxiety?
Once you identify the cause, you can start to address it. If many things happen, simplify your life as much as possible. Delegate tasks, say no to extra commitments, and take time each day to relax and recharge.
If it’s one specific thing causing your anxiety, try to devise a plan to deal with it. Maybe you need to talk to someone about it, or maybe you need to find a way to cope with the stressors related to that situation.
3. Stay active and exercise regularly: Exercise releases endorphins, which can help improve your mood and relieve stress. It also helps you stay healthy physically and mentally, which can help reduce your risk of developing anxiety disorders in the future.
4. Practice relaxation techniques regularly: Some of the most effective techniques include deep breathing exercises, visualization exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation.
These techniques can be practiced anywhere and don’t require special equipment or training.
Find a quiet place to sit or recline, and take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, imagine the stress and anxiety melting away; as you exhale, focus on releasing all tension from your body.
Other relaxation techniques that may be helpful include yoga and meditation.
5. Seek support from your friends and family members: Anxiety can be a very scary and confusing feeling.
For some people, it can feel like they are trapped in a never-ending spiral that they can’t escape from. This can be especially true if you don’t have any support from your friends or family. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get out of this spiral.
First, reaching out to the people who care about you for support is important. These people can provide a listening ear and offer helpful advice.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek professional help if the anxiety is too much for you to handle alone. A therapist can help you understand and manage your anxiety more effectively.
Finally, make sure to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. This means getting plenty of exercise and sleep and eating a healthy diet.
Conclusion
A few years ago, I would have told you that anxiety is something that only the most bio-degenerate people could experience. However, as we’ve discovered over time, this stigma around mental health issues such as anxiety can be huge.
No two people are alike, and everyone has their way of coping with stress and emotional distress. Some turn to alcohol or drugs, while others obsessively check social media feeds for updates on friends and family.
But it doesn’t have to be like this!
By learning how to manage your feelings healthily, you can stop an anxiety spiral before it starts – no matter what stage you find yourself in!
FAQs | How to Not Spiral Into Anxiety?
How to stop downward spiral anxiety?
If you are in a downward spiral of anxiety, you may do a few things to break the loop. First, ensure you get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Additionally, try to exercise regularly and find ways to relax and de-stress. Consider obtaining professional treatment if you are having difficulty managing your anxiety.
How to talk yourself down from an anxiety spiral?
A few things might help you talk yourself out of an anxious spiral. First, attempt to pinpoint the source of your worry. When you understand what is causing your anxiety, you may begin to address it. Second, attempt to divert your attention away from your worrisome thoughts. This can be accomplished by completely focusing on anything else or practicing relaxation techniques. Finally, discuss your anxiety with someone. It may be a friend, a family member, or a therapist.
Tell me the origin of the anxiety spiral
Some believe hereditary and environmental causes produce anxiety spirals, while others believe a loop of negative thoughts and actions generates them. Whatever the source, it is obvious that anxiety spirals are difficult to break free from and can cause significant discomfort.
Sources
- DC Metro Therapy: How to Get Out of an Anxiety Spiral and Take Back Control
- Self: 8 Grounding Techniques to Try When You’re Spiraling
- Mayo Clinic: Anxiety disorders
- Repeller: How to Talk Yourself Down from an Anxiety Spiral
Photo by Alexei Maridashvili on Unsplash
Editor’s Note: When you are reading a health article, it is important to remember that the information in the article may not be applicable to you. Every person’s body is different and will respond differently to various treatments and remedies. Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment regime. Additionally, health articles should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are experiencing any symptoms or health problems, please consult a doctor immediately.
