Anxiety

Everyone encounters life situations that may require us to make adjustments and we may feel some anxiety, this is normal and adjusting may take a little time. Sometimes, these changes can cause one to feel overwhelmed and make it difficult to move forward with life. The anxiety lasts longer than normal, making it difficult to deal with day-to-day responsibilities and effecting relationships and quality of life.

There are different types of anxiety disorders, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, where a person experiences anxiety over a number of things; Social Anxiety Disorder, which is more specific to socializing with others because of fear of being embarrassed or judged; and anxiety due to a medical condition, in which a person experiences intense fear or anxiety over a medical diagnosis. There are more types of anxiety, all causing significant distress. Symptoms associated with anxiety disorders are restlessness, a feeling of fear or doom, difficulty sleeping, avoiding the thing that causes you anxiety, feeling tired, difficulty concentrating, difficulty controlling the anxiety, and gastrointestinal problems (among other possible physical symptoms). The anxiety can lead to panic attacks; these symptoms are sweating, rapid heart rate, nausea, stomach cramping, feelings of detachment, tightness in the chest area, uncontrollable crying, trembling, difficulty breathing, and dizziness or fainting. 

You do not have to live with debilitating anxiety. With the appropriate treatments, such as therapy and medication, you can get back to feeling like yourself and you can regain your quality of life. Self-care and making positive life-style choices are two ways that can lead to reduction in anxiety – reading a good book, taking a walk, decreasing caffeine intake, and exercising are only a few options.