It’s common for people to occasionally experience feelings of anxiety as they go about their life. Multiple and sometimes conflicting responsibilities and obligations can cause anxiety, stress, tension, and frustration. Life circumstances and events can also lead to feeling anxiety and worry. But excessive anxiety may interfere with a person’s life and quality of living, so it’s important to know when it might be helpful to seek treatment to help cope with anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a sensation of fear or uneasiness, sometimes described as feeling a knot in the stomach or a pounding heartbeat. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, such as when facing a problem or while making an important decision. It can be beneficial by heightening an individual’s awareness, and the boost of energy that comes from anxious feelings can improve a person’s reaction time in an urgent situation. However, when anxiety is pervasive, overwhelming, and interferes with daily functioning, the individual may benefit from professional treatment.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
When anxiety remains and worsens over time, the condition is called an anxiety disorder. This condition can often interfere with performing daily activities like work, schooling, and relationships. The individual may start to avoid places and situations, further limiting their quality of life. There are several different types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders that lead to panic attacks, and phobias, which are intense fears of something that actually poses little to no threat. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments to help people with anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Different types of anxiety disorders have different symptoms, but there are several traits that are common to nearly all anxiety disorders. One common symptom is having ongoing, uncontrollable anxious thoughts or beliefs that interfere with a person’s daily life.
Individuals may also experience physical symptoms of anxiety, including the following:
- Racing heartbeat.
- Unexplained aches and pains.
- Dizziness.
- Difficulty breathing.
Behavior changes are the third common symptom of anxiety disorders. For instance, avoiding activities or no longer getting enjoyment from actions that the person previously enjoyed might be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
How To Treat Anxiety Disorders
A health care professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder and determine a treatment plan with the individual. Treatment for anxiety may include some of the following techniques or a combination of several of these tools:
- Counseling or therapy: Meeting with a medical professional and talking through therapy can treat anxiety disorders and help the individual develop new ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting. These strategies can help to reduce or eliminate harmful anxiety.
- Medication: A doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medicines or anti-depressants to treat an anxiety disorder.
- Stress management techniques: Learning stress management techniques and practices, like meditation, may help manage anxiety. The doctor or therapist will work with the individual to determine the best techniques to manage their anxiety.
Horizon Counseling Services can treat individuals struggling with excessive anxiety and other areas of emotional distress. The professional therapists at Horizon Counseling Services specialize in treating anxiety and depression. Online counseling options are available.
