Everyone gets nervous or anxious from time to time. Common examples include when public speaking, during financial hardships, loss of a job, and other situations that may cause uncertainties. Once these uncertainties have been resolved the anxiety experienced dissipates. This is normal and a part of life. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is experienced frequently and persists for long periods of time. Some people may even have panic attacks. This condition becomes a serious affliction when there is a presence of excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities. Excessive worry means worrying even when there is nothing wrong, or in a manner that is disproportionate to actual risk. This typically involves spending a high percentage of waking hours worrying about something. The worry may be accompanied by reassurance-seeking from others. In adults the worry can be about job responsibilities or performance, one’s own health or the health of family members, financial matters, and other every day circumstances. There are different forms of anxiety:
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Selective Mutism
Specific Phobias
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Panic Attack
Agoraphobia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Here is a list of some of the symptoms people experience:
Edginess or restlessness
Tiring easily; more fatigued than usual
Impaired concentration or feeling as though the mind goes blank
Irritability (which may or may not be observable to others)
Increased muscle aches or soreness
Difficulty sleeping (due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, restlessness at night, or unsatisfying sleep)
People who have had panic attacks may experience some of these symptoms:
Feeling hot
Muscle numbness or tingling
Feeling unable to relax
Dizzy or light headed
Feeling wobbly in the legs
Feeling unsteady
Heart racing or pounding
Nervousness
Choking feeling
Trembling hands
Unsteadiness
Terror or fear
Afraid of losing control
Indigestion
Flushed face
Hot or cold sweats
Feeling scared
Having laborious breathing
Feeling the fear of dying
Feeling like the worst is happening
Feeling faint
Diarrhea
The anxiety, worry, or associated symptoms make it hard to carry out daily activities and responsibilities. They may cause problems in relationships, at work, o r in other important areas. These symptoms are unrelated to any other medical conditions and cannot be explained as the effect of substances such as a prescription medication, alcohol or recreational drugs. Some people who suffer from anxiety disorders often have apprehensions about the following :
dying
having a heart attack
fainting
losing their breath
going “insane”
losing control
embarrassing themselves in front of others
choking
You Can Gain Control Of Your Life!!
Your intense anxiety or worrying may be an indication that you are feeling out-of-control in your life, or do not feel that you can handle difficult or challenging issues well. These feelings can significantly impact your self-confidence, elevate physical and emotional stress, and can sometimes stop you from acting at all. It may even lead to other aliments including panic disorder, depression, and alcoholism.
Stepping Stone’s therapists can help you identify and address the thoughts and situations that are contributing to your anxiety. In a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment, you can work through difficult emotions and learn ways to gain more control over your thoughts and your life. In therapy you can develop more self-awareness, breathing techniques, and tools and skills to reduce stress, anxiety and tension. As you develop more awareness, you can also begin to identify, examine, and address any self-limiting behaviors or negative self-beliefs that keep you from coping effectively. With help it is possible to shift your perception of yourself and your life situation in order to feel more positive and empowered.
In session you will develop a more complete understand of anxiety, what it is and isn’t, and what it can do both mentally and physically. Many of you will choose to let go of the confined, sometimes negative point of view in which all new information, stimulus, and life events are correlated to. You will learn coping skills and techniques that will help you through stressful situations that are prone to generating anxiety. You will learn to see and respond differently, to be more compassionate with yourself, and feel more relaxed and calm.