Empathy Paper Assignment

Empathy Paper Assignment Name Affiliation Course Instructor Date My Experience With Anxiety Anxiety is one of the not so silent factors in my life which influenced most of my life even where people could not realize it. It is not the occasional worry or stress only, but a permanent struggle, which influences my way of thinking, feeling, and reaction to ordinary situations. In this paper, I would like to describe my own experience with the issue of anxiety, explain its symptoms, consider my development of the condition, and discuss the available treatment options. In this way, I will be able to share not only my story but also empathize with those that are going through the same struggle. Being able to identify and cope with the signs and symptoms of anxiety is one of the hardest aspects of life with anxiety. In my case, anxiety usually manifests as worrying too much, even on insignificant or simple matters. I have a bad habit of overthinking things, and visualizing a worst-case scenario that may or may not be true. Physically, I occasionally feel my heart racing, anxious and unable to concentrate. I also experience situations when I feel highly tense without any obvious explanation as though my body is always in a very high alert. Adwas et al. (2019) state that persistent worrying, irritability, fatigue, physical response in the form of elevated heart rate and tension are widespread symptoms of anxiety disorders. This information about these symptoms made me understand that what I see and feel is not in my head and that I am not alone as many other people have the same experience. Anxiety can be overpowering emotionally. It brings about a feeling of discomfort which is difficult to describe to a person who has never experienced it. I tend to think that I should have everything under my control, and when I do not, I experience some discomfort and fear. Sometimes, I can be frustrated by myself as I understand that my concerns are unreasonable, and I can hardly prevent those. Nevertheless, I have learned to look at my anxiety with some compassion as well. I do not view it as a weakness, but rather as a human condition. Studies indicate that both anxiety and depression symptoms frequently are closely related and can have similar effects on emotional well-being (Bayat et al., 2011), which is why it is even more crucial to deal with these emotions in an understanding than a judgmental manner. When I think how I might have acquired anxiety, I can hardly pin down to one factor. However, I believe it has a lot to do with my upbringing and life experiences growing up. There may have been moments where I felt pressure to perform well or situations that made me uncertain or insecure. These experiences might in the long run bend the way I react to stress. Adwas et al. (2019) describe how genetic, environmental, and psychological factors can lead to developing anxiety. This is logical to me, since I do not feel that my anxiety is caused by a single instance but is more of a compilation of experiences as I have gone through them. Surprisingly, the majority of those around me are not aware that I experience anxiety. I tend to hide it well, which means I do not often have to deal with negative reactions from others. I can be very cool and collected on the outside, but am handling a lot on the inside. Although this assists me in escaping judgment, it may also be lonely. I would like to be more open in some cases but I am also afraid of being misinterpreted. People are commonly expected to simply relax or cease worrying by the society, which can create difficulties in speaking frankly about anxiety. Such secrecy of my worries has made me realize that most of us are quietly going through a rough time and it has made me be a more compassionate person towards others. I have not yet understood what my best approach should be, in terms of treatment. The management of anxiety has a number of ways through which they can be dealt with and I am commendable to explore them. A typical and effective therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which concentrates on recognizing and transforming negative thoughts. Bandelow et al. (2017) state that CBT is one of the most common and emphasized evidence-based treatments used to treat anxiety disorders. I like this method since it trains effective skills of coping with anxious thoughts instead of merely worrying. The other way to treat it is medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs which help to control your brain chemistry. While I have not fully committed to medication, I understand that it can be beneficial for many people, especially when combined with therapy (Bandelow et al., 2017). In addition to professional treatments, I also try to practice self-care strategies. These involve, going through thorough breathing exercises, engaging in physical exercise and rest when I am overwhelmed. Even minor routines, such as planning my day or speaking to a trusted person, can help. Faith is also an important part of how I cope with anxiety. Praying and relying on God brings me the feeling of peace that I can not always get in other places. When my thoughts become so overwhelming, I remind myself that God is also present and I will not feel alone anymore. This spiritual support complements other treatment methods and strengthens my ability to manage anxiety. Overall, my experience with anxiety has been both challenging and eye-opening. It has made me learn more about myself and the way I react to the world I live in. Anxiety makes me feel overwhelming at times but it has also opened my eyes so that I am now more understanding and compassionate to other people. I am still trying to manage it, though I expect that with the necessary tools and support, I will be able to keep improving and evolving. In summary, anxiety is a multifaceted and highly individual experience encompassing both mental and physical aspects. By learning about its symptoms and contemplating its potential causes, as well as learning about the treatment options, I have learned to see my personal journey in a new light. More importantly, I have realized what empathy is about, not only toward others but also myself. References Adwas, A. A., Jbireal, J. M., & Azab, A. E. (2019). Anxiety: Insights into signs, symptoms, Bandelow, B., Michaelis, S., & Wedekind, D. (2017). Treatment of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 19(2), 93-107. Bayat, N., Alishiri, G. H., Salimzadeh, A., Izadi, M., Saleh, D. K., Lankarani, M. M., & Assari,