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Anxiety

It’s normal to feel anxious once in a while. Some people seem to be able to glide through life while others are filled with worry and stress. The key to distinguishing anxious feelings from legitimate fear is that the frequency, duration and intensity of the anxiety greatly outweighs the possibility of the feared event. If you notice that you have been experiencing three or more of the symptoms below for a period of six months or more, it may be time to seek help.

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Signs and symptoms of anxiety:

  1. Inability to cope with stress

  2. Restlessness or feeling of edginess

  3. Feeling easily fatigued

  4. Difficulty concentrating

  5. Feeling irritable or “sharp” with others

  6. Muscle tension or increased aches and pains

  7. Tremors or shakiness

  8. Disturbed sleep, including problems falling or staying asleep, or restless sleep

  9. Increased startle responses

  10. Cold, clammy hands or dry mouth

  11. Nausea or stomach cramps

  12. Diarrhea or constipation

  13. Difficulty swallowing

  14. Symptoms of depression

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Some people who suffer from anxiety also suffer from panic attacks. These can be fears that a catastrophe is imminent, such as death, insanity, losing consciousness and of being trapped. These attacks may last from 10 to 20 minutes but can feel endless to the person experiencing them. When the attack ends, the person feels exhausted and anxious about the possibility of another attack.

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Signs and symptoms of panic attacks:

  1. Rapid heartbeat

  2. Shortness of breath

  3. Shaking

  4. Sweating

  5. Dizziness

  6. Tightness in the chest

  7. Nausea

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