Anxiety
Worry, Fear, Avoidance, Phobia, Compulsion
When talking about anxiety, we are talking about several possibilities. Someone might have a general feeling of worry for the majority of their day or the anxiety might be related to a specific event, such as a phobia about being in open spaces or talking in front of a group of people. It is important if you are experiencing anxiety to visit with a trained professional to determine the nature of your anxiety.
Anxiety can makes us hide from our lives.
Common anxiety symptoms include the following:
- muscle tension
- fatigue
- restlessness
- difficulty sleeping
- irritability
- edginess
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is two times more likely to occur in women than in men. The spectrum of severity with anxiety ranges from mild to severe. Perhaps a person has low-level worry, but proceeds through their usual daily tasks. Other people may have anxiety that prevents them from leaving the house. People experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder suffer from chronic, persistent and unsubstantiated worry about a variety of items in their lives (work, money, kids, health). The worries happen daily and interfere with the enjoyment of life and accomplishing daily tasks
Anxiety Disorders can be Generalized or Specific. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis from a professional to determine the course of treatment.
Treatment
The good news is that anxiety is treatable.
Typically, a Cognitive-Behavioral treatment approach is helpful in identifying, understanding and modifying faulty thinking and behavioral patterns.
Learning and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and exercise are all helpful ways to help alleviate anxiety.
As with any therapeutic treatment, your active participation is key to feeling better!