I’m sure that those of you who suffer with anxiety could actually write this post much better. I am going to attempt to do it justice. I have a very mild case of anxiety compared to those who suffer from it severely on a daily basis.
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Fearing a test, riding a rollercoaster, or even doing something you have never done before. Those are relatively mild anxiety occurrences, but when that feeling is frequent, intense, excessive, and persistent and it happens over the most basic of everyday situations, means that you may suffer from anxiety, and its partner, panic attacks.
Often when a person suffers from this it’s difficult to control. Symptoms may start in childhood, teen years, or adulthood. Anxiety and panic are more often out of proportion to the actual danger you are facing. But for many people therapy, medications, and other treatments are available.
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
There is more than just one form of anxiety disorder, just like all people are not the same, anxiety isn’t the same for each person who has it. Some of the disorders are:
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression.
Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations). These panic attacks may lead to worrying about them happening again or avoiding situations in which they’ve occurred.
Selective mutism is a consistent failure of children to speak in certain situations, such as school, even when they can speak in other situations, such as at home with close family members. This can interfere with school, work and social functioning.
Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by anxiety that’s excessive for the child’s developmental level and related to separation from parents or others who have parental roles.
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves high levels of anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness and concern about being judged or viewed negatively by others.
Specific phobias are characterized by major anxiety when you’re exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it. Phobias provoke panic attacks in some people.
When should you see your doctor? You should consult your doctor or medical professional when you feel you are worrying too much, and it is interfering with your normal day to day activities.
You should speak to a medical professional when your fear, worry or anxiety is difficult to control. If you are upset over your worries, if you feel depressed, have mental health concerns or if you have trouble with alcohol or drug use.
If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors — Seek Emergency Medical Help Immediately — You are needed on this planet. The suicide prevention hotline is 800-273-8255.
Your worries and anxiety may not go away, or they may get worse. It’s best to seek treatment and help right away. Reach out to your medical professional, a mental health expert or another person who can assist in finding those resources for you.
Be strong, be beautiful, be you
Amateur Connoisseur 