Joanne Guillard

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What Anxiety Looks Like?

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Anxiety can make you feel worried or scared. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or sweating. It is a normal human response to be anxious in certain situations. You may have an anxiety disorder if you feel anxious all or most of the time. 


Anxiety comes in different forms. Some people experience worrying, a racing heart, or feeling on edge. 

Here are some things people say anxiety feels like:

“Being so scared you’re paralyzed” 

“Your heart is beating out of your chest”

“Constant worry and fear”

“Being powerless against your own mind”

“Not being good enough and always blaming yourself”

“Everything is happening all at once” 

“Pretending you’re okay but really you can’t breathe or think straight” 

Anxiety affects the body, thoughts, and behaviors.

You know the thoughts, feelings and symptoms well if you ever experience anxiety. Self-consciousness, excessive worry, sleepless nights, to name a few. Sometimes it is hard to express, day in and day out.


Symptoms:

Panic, fear, and uneasiness
Feelings of panic, doom, or danger
Sleep problems
Not being able to stay calm and still
Cold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or
feet
Shortness of breath
Breathing faster and more quickly than normal (hyperventilation)
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth
Nausea
Tense muscles
Dizziness
Thinking about a problem over and over again and unable to stop (rumination)
Inability to concentrate
Intensely or obsessively avoiding feared objects or places


Types of Anxiety: 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Common Types of Anxiety: Panic Disorder.

Common Types of Anxiety: Social Anxiety Disorder.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Separation Anxiety Disorder.

Common Types of Anxiety: Phobias.


Managing Anxiety Disorder Symptoms:

Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts before the day is down may help you relax so you’re not tossing and turning with anxious thoughts all night. 

Manage your negative thoughts. Thinking positive thoughts instead of worrisome ones can help reduce anxiety. This can be challenging if you have certain types of anxiety, however. Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach you how to redirect your thoughts. 

Get together with friends. Whether it’s in person, on the phone, or the computer, social connections help people thrive and stay healthy. People who have a close group of friends that support and chat with them have lower levels of social anxiety. 

Seek support. Some people find it helpful and uplifting to talk to others who are experiencing the same symptoms and emotions. Self-help or support groups let you share your concerns and achievements with others who are or who have been there. 




Resources:

https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/anxiety-disorders/

https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/Life%20with%20Anxiety%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

https://artisanclinical.com/what-anxiety-looks-like/

https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#1-2



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