Anxiety is defined as an “uncontrollable, diffuse, unpleasant, and persistent state of negative affect, characterized by apprehensive anticipation regarding unpredictable and unavoidable future danger, and accompanied by physiological symptoms of tension and a constant state of heightened vigilance.” It is a complex response to real or perceived threats that can involve cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes. Anxiety is an unavoidable feeling that every human will undoubtedly experience at various points throughout one’s life, as it is the body’s natural response to stress. Still, anxiety can have a significant impact on your career in various ways:
- Absenteeism: Prolonged stress and anxiety can alter protective immune responses, increasing one’s susceptibility to infections, such as colds, the flu, and other viral and bacterial disease, which can lead to excessive absences from work.
- Decreased work performance: Research from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) found that fifty-five percent of employees surveyed said they experienced anxiety about deadlines, which may contribute to missing them altogether. Further, anxiety causes the hippocampus to shrink. The hippocampus (area of the brain associated with learning and memory) connects to the amygdala, and together they control emotional memory recalling and regulation. This can interfere with your ability to remain on task.
- Hinder your workplace relationships: Anxiety can cause you to avoid social situations, and at work this may manifest as skipping a meeting or avoiding conferences and large gatherings. In fact, according to the AADA, 73 percent of those with anxiety admit to avoiding social situations. Communication difficulties, social withdrawal, and a reluctance to engage in networking or teamwork can thwart your professional growth.
- Erodes your earning potential: In attempt to mitigate undue stress, it is highly common for people with anxiety to avoid seeking a promotion, trying for a higher paying job, taking classes, or changing careers.
The AADA conducted a survey that revealed that, among those who have anxiety, more than half said it affected their work performance and 50 percent felt it had a direct impact on the quality of their work. Another 43 percent said they felt stress and anxiety had a strong impact on their relationship with their superiors. While some level of stress and anxiety is normal in the workplace, excessive or chronic anxiety can negatively affect your job performance, career advancement, and overall well-being.
Treatment In Calabasas
Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.
The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.
