Distress: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Anxiety is a psychological situation characterized by a set of symptoms that arise due to some situation in which the person feels threatened by something that will happen, which leads to excessive worry, irritability, changes in heartbeat and insecurity, for example.

Furthermore, due to excessive worry, it is also possible to notice muscle pain caused by tension and constant headache.

In the presence of signs and symptoms indicative of distress, it is important that a psychologist be consulted so that the factor responsible for the feeling can be identified and, thus, treatment can be initiated, which normally involves therapy sessions and the practice of activities that promote anxiety. feeling of well-being.

Symptoms of distress

Symptoms of distress can appear progressively, the main ones being:

• Pain and feeling of tightness in the chest and throat;
• Increased heart rate and feeling short of breath;
• Feeling of suffocation, with difficulty breathing;
• Constant restlessness and restlessness;
• Constant headache;
• Muscle tension;
• Sudden change in mood;
• Negative thoughts and insecurity;
• Insomnia;
• Constant sadness.

In addition to the common symptoms of anguish, there may also be symptoms that can be confused with depression, such as apathy, lack of appetite, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, muscle contractures, body aches and constant tiredness.

Read too: Depression or sadness: how to differentiate

Possible causes

Anxiety is normally triggered by situations that are yet to happen and that are perceived as a threat to the person, which generates excessive worry and insecurity, resulting in symptoms.

However, it is also possible to feel distressed when there is a memory of a past situation or a consequence of the loss of a loved one, for example.

If you are interested, make an appointment with the nearest psychologist using the following tool:

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of anguish must be guided by a psychologist, who will assist in the process of self-knowledge and development of skills to face the feelings and situations that cause anguish.

However, in some cases, even when therapy sessions are carried out, it is possible that the signs and symptoms persist, and the anguish may be accompanied by other psychological disorders, such as depression and/or anxiety, requiring psychiatric follow-up, which may indicate the use of medications that help promote quality of life.

In addition to therapy, it is important to invest in activities that help you relax and that can promote a feeling of well-being, such as regular physical activity and meditation, and it is also recommended to have a healthy diet rich in tryptophan, which It is an essential amino acid for the formation of serotonin.

Read too: 12 foods rich in tryptophan

Furthermore, doing the breathing control technique can also help you relax and alleviate symptoms of distress. To do this, you should try to breathe deeply and slowly through your nose, taking the air to your abdomen and releasing the air gently through your mouth.