What is Anxiety?
You have probably heard others say this, or maybe you’ve said it yourself – “I feel anxious.”
Anxiety and anxiousness is often used in place of feelings like nervous, or worried. Everyone feels these emotions at some point in life; it’s completely normal to occasionally worry or feel keyed up or nervous.
Having anxiety, is like being worried or feeling nervous almost all the time, it’s chronic. The symptoms of a diagnoseable anxiety disorder vary from person to person. When these feelings don’t go away, or last for longer than usual, it may be time to seek a counselor to help.
There are several types of anxiety. Sessions to discuss your specific symptoms with a counselor trained in treatment for anxiety are needed before a diagnosis can be made.
Generalized Anxiety
Excessive worry about everyday issues. Difficult to get rid of, lasting for more than 6 months
SOCIAL ANXIETY
PANIC
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
This disorder is characterized in two parts; Obsessive – thoughts or worries that keep coming back and are difficult to ignore. Usually involves fear of germs, contamination or an intense need to organize items in a very specific way. Compulsive – strict behaviors and actions in an attempt to control the Obsessive worries. Examples include excessive hand washing, pulling out hair, eyebrows or eyelashes, checking and rechecking door locks or the stove.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
- Excessive worries
- Difficulty calming your mind
- Feeling on edge
- Tiredness/Fatigue
- Lack of confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Restlessness
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping