Anxiety

Psychotherapy Counseling

Anxiety disorders and panic attacks are not signs of a character flaw. Most importantly, feeling anxious is not your fault. It is a serious mood disorder that affects a person's ability to function in every day activities. It affects one's work, one's family, and one's social life. It can happen as a symptom of depression or is part of a spectrum of other mental disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Today, much more is known about the causes and treatment of this mental health problem. We know that there are biological and psychological components to every anxiety disorder and that the best form of treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

What you need to know

So what does cause it?

Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety - What You Need To Know

Some Anxiety is Normal
Everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious -- the butterflies in your stomach before a first date, the tension you feel when your boss is angry, the way your heart pounds if you're in danger. Anxiety rouses you to action. It gears you up to face a threatening situation. It makes you study harder for that exam, and keeps you on your toes when you're making a speech. In general, it helps you cope.

But if you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful emotion can do just the opposite -- it can keep you from coping and can disrupt your daily life. There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with its own distinct features.

What does it feel like?
An anxiety disorder may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason. Or the anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them you may stop some everyday activities. Or you may have occasional bouts of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you.

You Are Not to Blame
Many people still carry the misperception that emotional disorders are a character flaw, a problem that happens because you are weak. They say, "Get over it!" and "You just have a case of the nerves." Wishing the symptoms away does not work -- but there are treatments that can help.

So What Causes It?

There are as many potential causes of anxiety disorders as there are people who suffer it. One theory states that it is an old biological coping mechanism that somehow goes haywire. Others suggest it is a learned behavior. More than likely, it is a combination of both. An anxiety disorder may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason. Or the anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them you may stop some everyday activities. Or you may have occasional bouts of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you. Regardless of the cause, it is important that you seek immediate treatment.

Anxiety caused by medications or substance or alcohol abuse is not typically recognized as an anxiety disorder. Family history and genetics also play a part in the greater likelihood of someone getting an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms to deal with that stress may also contribute to anxiety.

Symptoms of Anxiety

	Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
	The person finds it difficult to control the worry.
	The person experiences at least 3 of the following symptoms (with some symptoms present on more days than not for the past 6 months): Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge Being easily fatigued Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank Irritability Muscle tension Sleep disturbance (either difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or restless unsatisfying sleep)
	The focus of the worry is not confined to features of or occurring during another mental disorder; as a feature of substance abuse or side effects of medication; or a general medical condition.
	The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social occupational or other important areas of functioning.

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