Exploring the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders and When to Get Help
Do I have an Anxiety Disorder?
What is anxiety? Essentially, anxiety is simply the mind and body response to some type of stressful
situation or event. When such events occur, our flight or fight response system is stimulated resulting in
a heightened sense of awareness. Numerous situations may trigger such response, and these vary from
person to person to a degree. Thus, anxiety might be triggered when speaking to a crowd, when
threatened with losing your job, or when taking an important test. In most situations, anxiety is a
positive occurrence because it forces us to pay greater attention to details and ensure we attend to
important tasks. But when anxiety is excessive or persists in the absence of such situations, an anxiety
disorder may be present.
A number of different anxiety disorders are known to exist. The most common is Generalized Anxiety
Disorder, but other conditions also fall within the umbrella of anxiety problems. These include Social
Anxiety, various Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attacks, and more. In some
instances, genetic risks are present making the conditions more likely, but in other instances, life events,
experiences, and organic processes affecting brain chemistry may trigger such a disorder. Identifying
specific causes can sometimes be challenging, but if identified, these can help guide effective care.
What Does Anxiety Look and Feel Like?
Defining exactly what anxiety may look and feel like is challenging since different people may have
different symptoms and presentations. Likewise, different types of anxiety disorders present with
different symptoms in most cases. Some people may pace back and forth, fidget, feel tense, or present
with more dramatic symptoms such as hyperventilation and panic depending on the severity, the
condition, and their innate response. Regardless, all anxiety disorders are characterized by a link
between physical manifestations and an inner turmoil where control is trying to be attained. In order to
provide a better understanding of anxiety symptoms, the following lists common features of some
anxiety conditions:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Restlessness
Fatigue
Poor concentration
Irritability
Insomnia
Constant worrying
Inability to function normally
Panic Disorder
Sudden and repeated bouts of intense fear and impending doom
Heart palpitations and fast heart rate
Sweatiness
Shortness of breathe with fast breathing
Increasing worry about future attacks
A sense of poor control
Avoidance of locations where prior attacks occurred
Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia
Nervousness when in a group or social situations
Fear of social judgments and rejection
Avoidance of social gatherings
Difficulty making and keeping friends
Trembling and excessive sweating when around others
These reflect just some of the more common anxiety disorders, but if you suspect you make be suffering
from an anxiety condition, seeking professional evaluation and help is important. In addition to ruling
out other conditions which might cause anxiety, proper care and treatment for your specific condition
and situation can be determined. While this may involve medication, other effective interventions
involve behavioral strategies which can be used lifelong to control anxiety symptoms.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of an anxiety condition, consider taking the anxiety test to further
assess your condition. Likewise, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for individuals who want to
discuss how counseling can help them with their depression. Call me at 813-606-5683 or email me to
schedule a time to speak, and together we can discover the best care for your so you may start enjoying
your life again.
