Do I have an Anxiety Disorder?

What is anxiety? Essentially, anxiety is simply the mind and body response to some type of stressful

situation or event. When such events occur, our flight or fight response system is stimulated resulting in

a heightened sense of awareness. Numerous situations may trigger such response, and these vary from

person to person to a degree. Thus, anxiety might be triggered when speaking to a crowd, when

threatened with losing your job, or when taking an important test. In most situations, anxiety is a

positive occurrence because it forces us to pay greater attention to details and ensure we attend to

important tasks. But when anxiety is excessive or persists in the absence of such situations, an anxiety

disorder may be present.

A number of different anxiety disorders are known to exist. The most common is Generalized Anxiety

Disorder, but other conditions also fall within the umbrella of anxiety problems. These include Social

Anxiety, various Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attacks, and more. In some

instances, genetic risks are present making the conditions more likely, but in other instances, life events,

experiences, and organic processes affecting brain chemistry may trigger such a disorder. Identifying

specific causes can sometimes be challenging, but if identified, these can help guide effective care.

What Does Anxiety Look and Feel Like?

Defining exactly what anxiety may look and feel like is challenging since different people may have

different symptoms and presentations. Likewise, different types of anxiety disorders present with

different symptoms in most cases. Some people may pace back and forth, fidget, feel tense, or present

with more dramatic symptoms such as hyperventilation and panic depending on the severity, the

condition, and their innate response. Regardless, all anxiety disorders are characterized by a link

between physical manifestations and an inner turmoil where control is trying to be attained. In order to

provide a better understanding of anxiety symptoms, the following lists common features of some

anxiety conditions:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

 Restlessness

 Fatigue

 Poor concentration

 Irritability

 Insomnia

 Constant worrying

 Inability to function normally

Panic Disorder

 Sudden and repeated bouts of intense fear and impending doom

 Heart palpitations and fast heart rate

 Sweatiness

 Shortness of breathe with fast breathing

 Increasing worry about future attacks

 A sense of poor control

 Avoidance of locations where prior attacks occurred

Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia

 Nervousness when in a group or social situations

 Fear of social judgments and rejection

 Avoidance of social gatherings

 Difficulty making and keeping friends

 Trembling and excessive sweating when around others

These reflect just some of the more common anxiety disorders, but if you suspect you make be suffering

from an anxiety condition, seeking professional evaluation and help is important. In addition to ruling

out other conditions which might cause anxiety, proper care and treatment for your specific condition

and situation can be determined. While this may involve medication, other effective interventions

involve behavioral strategies which can be used lifelong to control anxiety symptoms.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of an anxiety condition, consider taking the anxiety test to further

assess your condition. Likewise, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for individuals who want to

discuss how counseling can help them with their depression. Call me at 813-606-5683 or email me to

schedule a time to speak, and together we can discover the best care for your so you may start enjoying

your life again.