Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is two things. First, it’s an emotion most people feel at some point in their lives, like before giving a big presentation or making a challenging decision. But it’s also a diagnosable mental health condition. 

Anxiety that pervades your life and prevents you from doing certain things or ever feeling relaxed isn’t normal. You don’t have to live with ongoing feelings of worry or the sense that something bad will happen. 

If you would say you’ve felt worried or anxious more days than you haven’t in the last six months, it’s time to talk to the team at In Touch Counseling Services. What are the Core Symptoms of Anxiety?

What are the Core Symptoms of Anxiety?

• Panic, fear, and uneasiness.
• Feelings of panic, doom, or danger.
• Sleep problems.
• Not being able to stay calm and still.
• Cold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or feet.
• Shortness of breath.
• Breathing faster and more quickly than normal (hyperventilation)
• Heart palpitations.

Are there different types of anxiety? 

Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.

What Causes Anxiety?

As with many mental health issues, the causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders. Inherited traits also can be a factor. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Trusted Source, a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role. The areas of your brain that control your fear response may be involved.