Anxiety and Panic

In many situations anxiety is a normal, healthy reaction; it can be motivating, increasing one’s level of alertness.  On the other end of the spectrum, anxiety can interfere with one’s daily activities if it becomes overwhelming. There are various forms of anxiety which impact one’s life; such as social anxiety, in which one has a fear of crowded places.  The individual feels he/she is being negatively evaluated by others, fearing ridicule or humiliation by others; in which the end result is restriction of outings, or total avoidance. Phobias occur when an individual fears a specific place, object or situation.  Examples of such include fear of snakes, public speaking, heights, elevators and bridges. Should worries occupy a large portion of one’s time and take on an obsessive component, one may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  Those with GAD report difficulty in functioning at work, home, and/or school; and also feelings of irritation, tension, restlessness and difficulty sleeping. If the anxiety comes on suddenly with sweating, fear of dying, shortness of breath and chest pain, it is likely you have experienced a Panic Attack. Research indicates treatments are available for the above referenced problems, should you or someone you know need assistance to overcome. How can I talk  with a Care Counselor?   Anxiety and Panic Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one deal with tense situations in the office, study harder for an exam, keep focused on an important speech. In general, it helps one cope. But when anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it has become a disabling anxiety disorder. Anxiety can be accompanied by physical effects such as heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, or headaches. Physically, the body prepares to deal with what it perceives as a threat. Blood pressure and heart rate are increased, sweating is increased, blood flow to muscle groups increases and immune and digestive system functions are inhibited (the fight or flight response). External signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating, trembling and many others. Someone suffering from anxiety might also experience it as a sense of dread or panic. Panic attacks are sudden surges of overwhelming fear that that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than having anxiety or the feeling of being 'stressed out' that most people experience. One out of every 75 people worldwide will experience panic attacks at one time in their lives. People who have full-blown, repeated panic attacks can become very disabled by their condition and should seek treatment before they start to avoid places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. For example, if a panic attack happened in an elevator, someone with panic disorder may develop a fear of elevators that could affect the choice of a job or an apartment, and restrict where that person can seek medical attention or enjoy entertainment Panic attacks are not dangerous, but they can be terrifying, largely because it feels 'crazy' and 'out of control.' Panic disorder is frightening because of the panic attacks associated with it, and also because it often leads to other complications such as phobias, depression, substance abuse, medical complications, even suicide. If you question whether or not these may be an issue for you, feel free to give us a call.  A care counselor is ready to listen. The above information found at www.anxietypanic.com

 

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