Anxiety

Are your worries getting the best of you? Are they limiting your life? You may have anxiety.

Anxiety is a term that is heard often. But, what really is it? Anxiety is a normal reaction to situations that are uncertain, stressful or new. Unfortunately, for some people who have anxiety disorders, these worries and fears are not temporary. They are debilitating and get worse over time.

Anxiety can lead to impairment in a person’s functioning at school, work, social situation and day to day activities. It can also affect how a person’s interacts with others, thereby affecting their relationships with friends and family. The good news is that anxiety is treatable.

 

What Is Anxiety? What Are the Symptoms?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, and preoccupying thoughts that are hard to control. These are often linked with shortness of breath, sweating, light headedness or headaches, restlessness, and sometimes chest pains. These symptoms are caused by the body producing too much adrenaline. People who have anxiety are telling their bodies that they are in danger. The body’s natural response is to escape and adrenaline helps give your body the power to run, fight or freeze. Other symptoms of anxiety include; stomach pain, low appetite or binge eating, having difficulty sleeping or some feel detach almost as if the situation was not real.

 

Are There Different Types of Anxiety Disorder?

There are many different types of anxiety. You might recognize one or more:

• Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by an ongoing worry or feelings of uncertainty. People who suffer from this disorder are preoccupied with a number of things, such as health issues, finances, or feelings of uneasiness of something bad happening. Some of the symptoms are restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and  feeling agitated.

• Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience recurring panic attacks and preoccupy themselves with the fear of having one. A panic attacks involves having sudden feelings of terror without being in real danger. Physical symptoms include fast heartbeat, breathlessness, weakness or feeling faint, feeling either too hot or too cold, sweating, chest or stomach pain and tingly feelings in fingers or feet.

• Phobias, this one you might have come across more often, are also a type of anxiety disorder. These are extreme irrational fears and aversions about certain objects (spiders, snakes, rats, bugs and so forth) or situations (flying, using elevators). These are often very distressing.

• Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is intense anxiety or fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in a social setting. People who suffer from this type of disorder worry about saying something or doing something awkward, stupid or boring when they are in front of others, which could lead to rejection or or distress. People who suffer form this usual have a harder time making friends, will avoid situations with groups of people, start worrying about it even before it has happened.

What Are Some Causes And Triggers of Anxiety?

People who suffer from anxiety tend to be easily overpowered by their emotions and tend to avoid situations that will make them feel this discomfort. Anxiety disorders are often times born out of a mix between genetics and environmental triggers. Some examples of the most common triggers are:

-Stress from a medical condition or a reaction to a medication

-Expectation at work or school

-Lack of sleep, a healthy eating routine or lack of exercise

-The witnessing of a traumatic event or experiencing something traumatic both in childhood and adulthood

-Stress from personal relationships, family, spousal, children or job and/finances

Some triggers can be avoided or changed while others need to be  managed. Evidenced-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you manage these triggers to be able to function and feel better.

 

How Can Therapy Help?

Psychotherapy also known as ‘talk therapy’ can help you construct healthy thoughts, teach you practical strategies to cope with your anxiety and improve the way you feel.  Anxiety is very treatable and the therapeutic process is individualized and therapists will not push you into uncomfortable terrain, unless they feel that you are ready. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the treatment choice when it comes to anxiety disorders. This type of therapy examines how negative thoughts about ourselves and others impact the way we act and feel. 

The majority of patients who suffer from anxiety are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several (or fewer) months of psychotherapy, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions. Dr. Kreinberg has helped hundreds of people suffering from this disorder, that affects so many. She initially will help you understand your anxiety from an emotional, psychological and physical perspective. The hardest part about your anxiety, is finding someone that can help you. Click here to navigate the terrain of finding a good therapist.