Anxiety

ANXIETY

WHAT IS ANXIETY DISORDER?

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation. In many cases, some anxiety can be considered rational and a positive thing: It can help you stay alert and focused, think clearly, and motivate you to solve problems. Unfortunately, in most cases individuals experience what is considered irrational. Basically, it is a result of some irrational or distorted perceptions that appear to be realistic. When the anxiety is constant and/or overwhelming, it can become incapacitating and can be debilitating on a number of levels.

Typical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

The symptoms of anxiety are extremely varied, and many individuals report that they experience more than one. You are likely to be suffering from an anxiety disorder if you:

• Are in a constant state of tension and concern
• Experience difficulty focusing at work or school
• Are finding it difficult to concentrate as in the past
• Are plagued by fears that you may or not know are irrational, but are affected by them nonetheless
• Are bothered if certain things are not done in a specific way
• Avoid certain or several daily situations because they cause anxiety
• Experience episodes of increased heart rate and tension
• Find that you are frequently restless, irritable and/or jumpy

There are also some telltale physical signs that you may be suffering from anxiety:

• Pounding heart
• Excessive sweating
• Upset stomach
• Frequent urination
• Frequent headaches
• Dizzy spells
• Tremors or twitches
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Insomnia