Anxiety

Has anyone in your family or circle of friends jokingly called you a “worry wart,” or made comments about being worried too much about things they thought were petty? Do you ever feel like you can’t concentrate on any one thing because your mind is going in many different directions? Does your heart ever feel like it is racing, chest feel tight and/or your palms sweaty? Unexplained “stomach aches”? Do you have trouble falling or staying sleeping? If you answered yes to most, or all, of these questions, you could be experiencing (generalized) anxiety. This means that there isn’t a specific trigger that brings the symptoms on. For example, it isn’t a specific phobia—fear of heights, spiders, leaving the home, etc. that causes these physical symptoms. It could come on suddenly at anytime, anywhere and for what appears to be no reason…or it can be triggered by simply by feeling worried about your week or daily “to do” list.

Anxiety is typically diagnosed when the above symptoms (as well as some others) have been occurring over a significant period of time, usually at least 6 months if not longer. Anxiety is also very common, and very treatable. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects about 6.8 million adult Americans! So, if this is you, you are not alone! When the anxiety is severe, it can be very disabling. This is why it is important to seek treatment if you feel that this could be (or is) you.

There are several forms of treatment available to people experiencing anxiety. Treatment can consist of prescribed medication, psychotherapy and/or a combined method of the two.  Because we are all different, the same treatment plan does not work for everyone. This is where talking to your Physician and/or your Counselor is crucial. There are many ways that Counselor’s can help treat your anxiety and teach you methods to manage it, as well. Some of these methods for self management can include learning how to meditate, exercising and breathing techniques, and increasing coping skills.  

One of the important factors to managing your anxiety, aside from talking to your Physician and/or your counselor, is remembering that you are not alone; and you do not have to take the journey of reducing your anxiety alone, either.

-Written By Danielle Snow (Intern)