The Impact of Anxiety
The World Is Getting Anxious
Almost 19% of all women and 11% of all men will develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. According to a WHO report, almost 3.5% of the global population was impacted by anxiety in 2015.
Physical Impact
During an anxiety attack, people may experience increased heart rate, heavy breathing, excessive sweating, muscle tension, and a tingling feeling in their extremities.
Emotional Impact
Feelings of dread, irritability and fear are commonly seen in people dealing with anxiety. If anxiety persists untreated, it could also lead to depression and other illnesses.
Cognitive Impact
People with anxiety disorders overthink and ruminate about the perceived threat. They may have trouble concentrating and may also be preoccupied with thoughts about death.
Behavioural Impact
Anxiety can affect behaviour too - those feeling anxious may be aggressive and agitated. In some cases, they may have trouble staying in one place and may fidget a lot.
Why People Get Anxious
Situational Factors
Anxiety can be the result of challenging situations faced by a person - including trauma, stress, and illness. Exposure to difficult events for a long period of time can trigger an anxiety disorder in an individual.
Biological and Personality Factors
Anxiety has a genetic component - a family history of anxiety puts a person at risk of developing it. Certain personality traits like being oversensitive, obsessive, perfectionistic, and prone to guilt or embarrassment are commonly found in people with anxiety.
Psychological Factors
When people believe that they lack control over situations in general, anxiety may be experienced. Negative thought patterns can also lead one to feel anxious when faced with a difficult situation. Lack of belief in one's ability to cope is linked to anxiety too.
Strategies to Treat Anxiety
Mindfulness Skills
Mindfulness helps people distinguish an intrusive thought from a real threat. When practised regularly, it can help people feel calm and at peace.
Exposure Therapy
In this approach, people are taught to gradually face situations that arouse anxiety. If done systematically, it can help people overcome anxiety.
Thought Work
Identifying negative thoughts and training the mind to reframe them into more positive ones can help individuals manage their anxiety levels.
Relaxation Techniques
Guided relaxation techniques can help individuals keep a check on physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety. They also help people feel calmer.
How InnerHour Can Help
With the anxiety programme in the InnerHour app, individuals get a personalised and comprehensive solution to tackle their anxiety.
A range of activities have been designed to help people understand their anxiety and learn skills to manage it.
We offer problem solving skills along with relaxation techniques so that individuals can learn to face difficulties without being overwhelmed.
We help users set lifestyle goals that will help them form anxiety-beating habits. The option to track anxiety levels allows users to see progress over time.
We consistently provide new content in the app to educate individuals about anxiety and motivate them to keep progressing on their journey.
What our users say
It is very effective, it helps me control my anxiety attacks and has helped me manage my G.A.D by not letting it interfere with my daily activities. It leaves you with an overwhelming sense of serenity and happiness. You should try it
A Google User12/11/2018
It really helps someone that struggles with anxiety or depression
A Google User30/11/2018
You cured my anxiety and loneliness.This app truly awesome and helpful.And god bless the creators who made this amazing app
Fan Gamer29/11/2018
I love it! It's great for controlling your anxiety.
Rashael Morales22/11/2018
i'm dealing with a lot of anxiety and this app really helps me control it😁
A Google User05/01/2019
I loved this app! It really helped with my anxiety and panic attacks honestly.
Katherine Robbins14/12/2018
I have always had terrible anxiety and this app really helps me to relax.
A Google User11/12/2018
I've had very difficult experiences in life and learned many of these techniques while in therapy. I've truly benefited from the daily reminders and short relaxation exercises. This app has been a great tool for me in managing my anxiety!
Elizabeth Klintworth17/01/2019
Let Go of Anxiety
Take back control of your life. Experience calm with the InnerHour app.
References
World Health Organisation. (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: Global health estimates. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf?sequence=1
Barlow, D. H. (2002). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer
Ellis A., Dryden W. (1997). The Practice of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Beck, A., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. (1985). Anxiety Disorders and Phobias. A Cognitive Perspective (pp. 300-368). New York: Basic Books.
Jovanovic, T., Lott, A. P., Michopoulos, V., Stevens, J., Rooij, S. V., Carter, S., Keller, J. M., Ogbonmwan, Y., & Stenson, A. (2018, November 15). Anxiety - What Is Anxiety & How To Treat It.
Corliss, J. (2017, October 03). Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967
Davis, M, Eshelman, E., & McKay, M (2008). The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, 6th ed. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
Seaward, B. L. (2013). Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Wellbeing, 8th Edition. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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