Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress.

It helps people deal with tense situations in the office or to study harder for an exam.  But when anxiety becomes excessive, and you develop an irrational dread of everyday situations, it has become a disabling disorder.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders:

• Feelings of apprehension or dread

• Anticipating the worst

• Feeling tense and jumpy

• Irritability

Physical symptoms:

• Pounding heart

• Sweating

• Headaches

• Stomach upset

• Frequent urination or diarrhea

• Shortness of breath

• Insomnia

A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and could include accelerated heart rate, pounding heart, sweating, or shortness of breath.

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How therapy can help anxiety:

Therapy can help people learn to identify and manage factors that contribute to their anxiety.   A therapist will work with you to determine the cause of your anxiety and create a course of treatment and coping skills.

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