When is anxiety abnormal?
Feeling stressed, worried,
or anxious at times is normal. When anxiety and worry start taking
over your life, it may be time to see help. Anxiety can disrupt your
ability to do the things you like to do, interferes with your social life,
lead to use of alcohol or substance to relax, cause panic attacks, affect
your health, or create other distressing symptoms and problems.
Professional help can equip you to overcome the controlling grip that
anxiety and stress have on your life.
The problem with anxiety:
Anxiety is not just an uncomfortable feeling.
Anxiety
is a real physiological (physical) and
emotional reaction.
Anxiety not only affects how you feel emotionally, but it also causes
physical reactions and symptoms which include:
- the release of stress hormones
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- shallow and faster breathing
- abdominal discomfort and distress
- muscle tension and pain
- inflammation
- suppressed immune system
Anxiety affects our whole health.
Panic attacks:
Another affect of anxiety can be panic attacks. Often, someone may not
be aware they are experiencing a panic attack and may feel like they are
having a heart attack or dying (**if you feel you are having serious
health/medical problems, seek out emergency medical care). Panic
attacks involve real, physical symptoms such as:
- heart palpitations
- choking feeling
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- trembling or shaking
- nausea
- sweating
- feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling out-of-control
- feeling like you're going crazy
- hot or cold flashes
Treatment:
Anxiety and panic attacks are very treatable. Often, I can help
clients learn non-medication techniques that can help decrease or eliminate
excessive anxiety and/or panic attacks. Don't let anxiety or panic attacks
prevent you from living your life.
