Is it normal to feel anxious all the time?
I feel a low level of anxiety almost constantly — worried about things, tense, unable to fully relax. I always assumed that was just my personality. But I'm starting to wonder if it's a real problem. How do I tell the difference between normal stress and an anxiety disorder? Should I see someone about it?
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5 Answers
If you don't have insurance, look into a community health clinic. A lot of them charge on a sliding scale based on income. Don't skip care because you're worried about the cost — small problems are cheaper to fix than big ones.
The evidence on this is actually mixed. Some studies show one thing, others show the opposite. When the science is unclear, I default to common sense: eat a varied diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and don't stress too much about individual health fads.
Be careful trusting health advice you find on the internet, including mine. There's a LOT of junk out there — supplement companies and diet gurus trying to sell you something. WebMD is decent for general info but it can't replace an actual doctor.
My doctor told me the same thing and after doing my own research I agree with their assessment. The key is to look at peer-reviewed medical studies, not random health blogs or what your friend's cousin said. PubMed has actual research papers you can read.
Stress does more damage to your health than people give it credit for. Half the physical symptoms I used to worry about turned out to be tension and anxiety. Sometimes the best medicine is a vacation and a good night's sleep.
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