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What is anxiety?

Anxiety is something everyone experiences. We typically experience normal levels of anxiety to avoid dangerous situations or to motivate us to solve everyday problems that cause stress. People experience anxiety in various ways ranging from mild worry to intense panic attacks. Some people experience anxiety for a matter of minutes, while other experience it for years. 

Healthy anxiety differs from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are more intense, longer lasting, and interfere with your ability to function at work or school, in relationships, or in other daily living activities. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder generally occur more days than not over a significant period of time. There are a number of risk factors that make one person more likely to react with anxiety when threatened compared to those who are less likely.

  • Risk factors:

    • Sensitive emotional nature

    • History of anxiety (or shyness) in childhood

    • History of trauma

    • Childhood adversity (abuse, neglect)

    • Family history of anxiety disorders

    • Poverty or lack of job skills

    • Separation or divorce

    • Some medical conditions (COPD, arrhythmias, B12 deficiency)

How do I know if I have anxiety?

Signs and symptoms of anxiety differ depending on which type of anxiety disorder is present. However, the physical, psychological, and behavioral signs and symptoms are commonly experienced with most types. You can learn more about your specific anxiety disorder from your mental health provider.

  • Physical:

    • Cardiovascular - increased heart rate, chest pain​

    • Respiratory - hyperventilating, shortness of breath

    • Neurological - dizziness, headache, sweating, numbness, tingling

    • Gastrointenstinal - dry mouth, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea

    • Musculosketal - muscle pain (especially neck, shoulders, and back), restlessness, inability to relax, shakiness

  • Psychological & Behavioral:

    • Excessive and/or unrealistic fear and/or worry

    • Racing thoughts or mind going "blank"

    • Problems with memory and concentration

    • Indecisiveness

    • Irritability, anger, and/or impatience

    • Confusion

    • Feeling "on edge" or nervous

    • Changes in sleep  

    • Avoidance of people, places, things, or situations

    • Obsessive or compulsive behavior

    • Distress in social situations

Are there different kinds of anxiety?

Types of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Agoraphobia. 

What should I do if I'm feeling anxious?

There are a variety of ways to manage anxiety including breathing techniques, relaxation strategies, and challenging irrational thoughts. Understanding what is causing anxiety is important, and your counselor can help you uncover and address underlying fears and worries along with other contributing factors such as a history of adversity. Learning how to be in control of your body, mind, and emotions makes dealing with anxiety much easier. 

Dealing with Anxiety

Getting Help

LIFE is full of challenges, but you do not have to face them alone. 

Counseling/therapy could be a helpful way to deal with these challenges.

This Life Counseling is dedicated to helping you discover solutions for managing life's difficulties.

We offer a variety of interventions to meet your unique needs in order to support you on your journey through THIS LIFE.

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This Life Counseling is here to help! 

Take the first step . . .

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