It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time. We all do. Perhaps you may get a bit nervous speaking in front of people or before a job interview. But for some, anxiety can be a constant battle that completely takes over their lives.

Since anxiety comes in many forms, for instance panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety, it can be difficult to tell if what you’re experiencing is “normal” or has crossed the line into something more concerning.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may want to speak with an anxiety counselor who can help you cope with your anxiety

Excessive Worry

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive worry. People with GAD worry too much about everyday things, both big and small. But how much is “too much” worry?

With GAD, people are plagued with persistent, anxious thoughts and an inability to control their thoughts most days. This anxiety can become so overwhelming it interferes with daily life. If you are worrying to a degree that you have trouble completing daily tasks, staying focused or concentrating, and are struggling with your emotions, it maybe time to seek help.

Trouble Sleeping

Sleep issues such as falling asleep or staying asleep have been associated with a myriad of health conditions, both physical and psychological. It’s normal for people to have trouble sleeping from time to time. Perhaps you find yourself tossing and turning before a big meeting or an event you are really excited to attend.

However, if you find yourself lying awake night after night, anxious about specific problems (such as relationship problems or financial difficulties), or even about nothing in particular, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Muscle Tension

Anxiety disorders can often be accompanied by persistent muscle tension. Do you find yourself clenching your teeth throughout the day? You may have lived with his chronic muscular tension for so long you don’t even realize it anymore. While exercise and stretching are a great way to help relax your muscles and ease the tension, therapy will get to the root cause of the anxiety.

Digestive Problems

While anxiety lives in the mind, it is often manifested in the body through chronic digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Our gut is very sensitive to emotional and psychological stress. Unfortunately, digestive upset can often make a person feel even more anxious. This in turn creates a vicious cycle in which the individual feels helpless and hopeless. If you find yourself constantly worried about your digestive system and its impact on your daily life, it may be time to reach out for some help.

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can be a terrifying experience. Suddenly you become gripped with an overwhelming feeling of dread and fear. This is typically accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart, dizziness, and intense sweating. Frequently, people confuse a Panic Attack for a heart attack.

Typically, people who experience a panic attack feel a sense of dread or impending doom and may even feel like they are dying. Often times panic attacks seem to come out of nowhere for no reason at all. Though not everyone who has an anxiety disorder will experience panic attacks, those that do live in constant fear.

Anxiety disorders keep people from living a joyful and for filling life. Luckily there is help. A well-trained therapist can assist in uncovering the root cause of the anxiety and provide tools to help cope with and decrease symptoms.

 

James Killian, LPC is an anxiety counselor and the Principal Therapist & Owner at Arcadian Counseling in Woodbridge, CT. If you’re struggling with anxiety and would like to improve the quality of your life, call today for free consultation.