Before Hannah Emory was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), she said that despite her passion for dance, she felt she wasn’t cut out for it. The large amount of stimulation in the classroom overwhelmed her, made it difficult for her to concentrate and tolerate criticism, which seriously affected her self-esteem. “It was really frustrating for me because I love dance and I feel committed to it,” she said. “But then I kept having this feeling: I wasn’t good enough.”
After receiving her diagnosis and finding the treatment that worked for her, Emery connected with her dance in a new way and, in addition to performing with the Orr Dance Company and developing her own dance moves, is now performing at Leigh in Ireland Choreography program for dance degree at the University of Merrick.
What is Generalized Development (GAD)?
Kristen Mackel, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with athletes and creative people, says that when talking about generalized anxiety disorder, it’s important to distinguish between the disorder and being an emotion. Anxiety is important. This can be done by thinking about what she calls “states” and “characteristics.” “Emotion is a state; it comes and goes,” she explains. “Disease is more of a trait; it is more pervasive, persistent and pervasive.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by a variety of physical and mental symptoms, such as a lack of control, excessive worry, feeling agitated or nervous, or on the other hand, feeling frozen and unable to move. People with generalized anxiety disorder may also experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal discomfort, sleep problems, and irritability.
Dance with GAD
Dr. Leigh Skvarla, LPC, explains that GAD can manifest in dancers in a variety of ways. For example, someone with generalized anxiety disorder may have difficulty standing still and be more likely to fidget in class. Additionally, Scovara said learning choreography can present challenges, explaining, “If you’re anxious, it can be difficult to focus on the present moment.” This can sometimes put dancers at risk for greater injury, she said. Risks, because they have difficulty concentrating, anxiety is associated with muscle tension, making it more difficult to perform certain movements.
Some aspects of the classroom, such as being asked to improvise, may also cause feelings of anxiety. “For most of us, being vulnerable is uncomfortable, and for those who are already anxious about the judgmental thoughts in their own heads, maybe even what they think other people are thinking about them,” Skvarla says .
Treatment and Coping
There are a variety of treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder, Mackel and Skvarla said. One of the most common treatments is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which encourages patients to challenge their thoughts and ask whether those thoughts may be distorting reality rather than the truth. Aspects of generalized anxiety disorder can also be treated through exposure therapy, especially if the disorder prevents you from doing the things you enjoy. It is also recommended to develop coping skills such as self-soothing, which can help regulate emotions in difficult situations.
Markle said an important aspect of treatment is finding a provider or group of providers who specialize in addressing your symptoms. The team can include a licensed mental health clinician, such as a counselor or social worker; a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner to administer medications; and a registered dietitian to ensure you are getting enough energy to support an active lifestyle .
towards healing
Emery said that while generalized anxiety disorder poses many unique challenges for dancers, when she began treatment — which for her was a combination of therapy and medication — she felt like the world opened up to her . “Therapy helped me retrain my thought process so that I was less outcome-focused and more process-focused,” she explains. “This has helped me with my work in the studio and starting my own dance projects.”
And, during treatment, remember that dancing can help you heal. Skvara said exercise plays an important role in improving mood and overall health. For Emory, the studio has become a virtual place where she can leave her worries behind, especially when she is able to express herself through improvisation or other personal projects.
“For people with various anxiety and mood disorders, you can become trapped in your own headspace and feel like you’re imprisoned,” says Emory University. “I think dance is the perfect way to solve this problem.”
resource
If you get stuck or want more information, Leigh Skvarla, PhD, LPC, and Kristen Mackel, LCSW, recommend the following resources: