State Anxiety
State anxiety is a temporary emotional and physiological state characterized by feelings of apprehension, tension, and heightened arousal in response to a specific situation or event. Unlike trait anxiety, which represents a stable individual difference, state anxiety is a temporary condition that can fluctuate based on the circumstances a person finds.
State anxiety is often triggered by stressors or challenges that are perceived as threatening or demanding. These stressors can vary widely and include situations such as public speaking, taking exams, participating in competitions, or facing a significant life event. State anxiety can manifest as a range of cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms that are associated with the body's stress response. State anxiety most often disperses when the fear or what was troubling you has passed, and you can relax.
While state anxiety is a natural and adaptive response to perceived threats, excessive or prolonged state anxiety can be detrimental to an individual's well-being and functioning. It can interfere with performance, disrupt daily activities, and contribute to psychological and physical health problems if not effectively managed.
How to help State Anxiety:
- Keep physically active.
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
- Quit smoking, and cut back or quit drinking caffeinated beverages.
- Use stress management and relaxation techniques.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Learn about anxiety
- Stick to a treatment plan or get one if needed
- Identify triggers.
- Keep a journal.
- Socialize.
In summary, state anxiety is a type of anxiety that is temporal, is caused by fearful situations, and passes once the fear has gone away. Understanding state anxiety and employing effective coping strategies can assist individuals in managing their anxiety and maintaining optimal functioning in challenging situations.
Clara has suspected for a while that she might have state anxiety, what kind of symptoms would she have that might suspect her to think this?
- Heart rate increases when in stressful situations
- Avoiding people in public
- Wearing baggy clothing
- Muscle tension
- Not being able to concentrate during a test
Fill in the Blank: ___________ anxiety is temporary and caused by stressful situations, whereas _________ anxiety is long-lasting and triggered by everyday things.
- Social, Emotional
- Temporal, Long-lasting
- State, Trait
- Separation, Medicated
Further Readings:
Differences on State vs Trait Anxiety: https://khironclinics.com/blog/the-difference-between-trait-and-state-anxiety-part-i/#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20trait,may%20benefit%20from%20therapeutic%20treatment
How to help State Anxiety: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/11-tips-for-coping-with-an-anxiety-disorder
Great website to get help with anxiety: https://therapyinanutshell.com/
Further research on Anxiety: https://www.deseret.com/anxiety
This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.
Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/development_motivati/zLBeHvKu.