How Can Anxiety Affect Your Life?

As 2024 begins, many of us might be feeling anxious about the year ahead. It’s important to know that feeling anxious is not the same as having a diagnosable anxiety disorder, however disproportionate and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety are a symptom of a disorder.

There are very many types of anxiety disorders that might be related. For example, panic disorder is a particular style of anxiety disorder where a person has frequent panic attacks. However experiencing panic attacks is also a symptom of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).  

If left unmanaged, chronic anxiety could turn into a mental illness like an anxiety disorder. If left untreated, anxiety disorder can seriously affect your health, outlook and life. So, what does having anxiety disorder or having panic attacks feel like? What effect can it have if untreated? And what can research do to help?

4 experiences of anxiety disorder or panic attacks:

1. “My anxiety/panic attacks started when I was aged 25. I am now in my 70s. My life was turned upside down due to them. I became seriously depressed and constantly in fear. I was unable to go on a train or any kind of public transport for fear of an attack and I stopped socialising with friends.” Chrissie, MQ panic disorder study participant

2. “My anxiety and claustrophobia, known as agoraphobia, was out of control. {As a result} I wasn’t working [and] had withdrawn socially.” Clare Downing, MQ panic disorder study participant

3. “My panic attacks started around the age of 14. Even the slightest bit of tension triggered me. I would scream and cry uncontrollably if my parents tried to comfort me. And by 15, I was sleeping with loud music every night. That was the only way I knew how to fall asleep. I was terrified of the silence. I attached a security alarm next to my bed, just in case.” Deepanshi Gulati, MQ Ambassador

4. “In the midst of an attack it can feel as though my life is in danger, I can’t breathe, my vision goes blurry. The fear of experiencing a panic attack at certain points in my life became so strong I developed a fear of leaving my house, which then exacerbated my clinical depression and physical health hugely. It can feel overwhelming to even begin to approach alone.” Juliette Burton, MQ writer

Anxiety and its related conditions can be hugely life-limiting. You can read more detail about what it feels like to experience an anxiety attack here.

How is MQ helping?

So how has MQ approached research of anxiety? We have supported researchers looking at various aspects of anxiety both in adults and children and young people, with huge breakthroughs being made in multiple aspects of the condition including treatment, prevention and intervention.

One example is a study that marks its 10^th year since it began, conducted by one of MQ’s first fellows, Dr Andrea Reinecke. The study investigated one aspect of anxiety; panic disorder, something Dr Andrea feels passionately had previously been underfunded.

“Research projects like mine are only possible with funding and sadly there just isn’t enough of it. Because of this, our understanding of how anxiety develops and how it can be prevented is nowhere near where it needs to be.” Dr Andrea Reinecke, MQ Fellow 2014   

Thanks to MQ’s support, Andrea was able to show that panic disorder can be treated effectively with only one session of treatment. These impressive findings have enormous implications for reducing waiting lists and improving treatment delivery in routine clinical care.   

Chrissie and Clare, quoted earlier in this article, were two participants in Dr Andrea’s study. Chrissie’s anxiety disorder and panic attacks had inhibited her life for around 50 years. But after seeing an advert for one of MQ’s funded studies, she decided to take action. Clare too experienced intense anxiety and other related conditions that limited her life-enjoyment hugely:

“Dr Reinecke was the first health professional who didn’t tell me to “go to my happy place” but really listened to how I felt when I was having an attack.”

Can anxiety improve thanks to research?

For both Chrissie and Clare, the results of Dr Andrea’s treatment were life-changing:

“I can honestly say my life has been completely turned around. Since the treatment I have been able to do so much more without the constant fear. Travel, theatres, cinemas, holidays and even a gliding experience for my 70^th birthday!” Chrissie, MQ study participant

“After participating in the study, life opened up. I began re-engaging friends and working, things that had become impossible and were previously unimaginable.  {Participating in this MQ funded study} gave me the tools to control my anxiety, not be controlled by it, giving me my life back.  She has done the same for hundreds of others as well.” Clare, MQ study participant

The overwhelming positive effect this study has had on these two individuals holds huge promise for so many others whose lives are massively affected by anxiety and panic disorder. As Chrissie attests, participating in the research can help someone live a fuller, more richer life:

“I cannot express just how grateful I am to Andrea and her work. She has given me an escape from a terrible illness that I never believed was possible. With my whole heart and endless thanks, I hope and trust she can continue to help others as she has me.”   

If you’d like to participate in future studies into anxiety, panic disorder or other mental health conditions, take a look at MQ’s Participate page where you can discover studies recruiting for participants now. You might have life-enhancing experiences, like Chrissie and Clare. You will definitely help researchers discover answers to guide us all towards a mentally healthier future.

Dr Andrea’s research, along with the many studies MQ has supported in the last decade, has changed lives for the better, and says it’s all thanks to MQ:

“The work of MQ Mental Health Research is so incredibly important to help us further our understanding of anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions, so that we can develop more effective interventions.”

Do you need help with anxiety disorder or panic attacks? Help is available. Get help now.