Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stressful situations and is is a normal part of life. But there are times when your reactions to stress are more long term, pervasive, or out of proportion to a situation. In these cases, you may consider whether you are suffering with an Anxiety Disorder.

Look over this list of common Anxiety Disorders and see if they match your symptoms:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

You may have GAD if you this sounds like you:

• Excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities that has lasted for at least six months or more
• Your worry is hard to control
• You worry about a variety of things and your worry may shift from topic to topic
• In addition to worry or dread, you also feel:
  • Edgy or restless
  • More tired than usual or easily tire out
  • Difficulty concentrating or as though your mind goes blank
  • Irritability (which may or may not be observable to others)
  • Increased muscle aches or soreness
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, restlessness at night, or unsatisfying sleep.

Panic Disorder

Panic attackes are periods of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat or shortness of breath. These attacks often appear seemingly out of the blue. If you experience a recurrence of a panic attack or continues to obsess and worry over having another panic attack, you may be diagnosed with Panic Disorder.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Intense fearfulness or dread (a sense that something terrible is happening)
• Racing or pounding heartbeat
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath or a feeling of being smothered
• Trembling or shaking
• Sense of unreality
• Fear of dying, losing control, or losing your mind.