Anxiety

What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety is a normal part of life, and it’s even a critical part of human survival. Anxiety is your body’s way of preparing for a potentially dangerous set of circumstances, enabling your fight-or-flight response. 

Anxiety is the result of a hormonal reaction to certain situations. Think about what it feels like to narrowly avoid an automobile collision, or the feeling that comes over you when you believe a loved one is in harm’s way. Those reactions are a type of anxiety. 

The problem arises when your body begins to create the signs of anxiety when there is no cause for concern, which leads to several anxiety disorders. 

Some of the symptoms of anxiety include:

• Racing heartbeat
• Uncontrolled worries
• Sweating
• Sense of danger or impending doom
• Inability to stop thinking about current worries
• Breathing rapidly
• Feeling restless, nervous, or overly tense

Most people who experience anxiety notice several of these symptoms, and they can change based on the triggering circumstances. 

When is it time to seek help for anxiety?

Anxiety is part of being human, and it isn’t always a cause for concern. But if you experience ongoing worries or other symptoms that don’t connect to a clear cause, you may consider getting professional help. 

Another way to decide if it’s time to look for support is when anxiety prevents you from enjoying typical routines. When you find yourself changing your habits due to anxiety, exploring treatment is probably the right decision. 

What kinds of treatments can help control anxiety?

There are various ways to treat anxiety. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is a great place to begin. Working with your therapist, you explore the circumstances that led to your symptoms and how you’ve been able to manage them in the past. 

A type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches you how to identify negative or false thought patterns and replace them with more accurate or positive thoughts, which can empower you to take active control over your anxiety. 

Medication is a good fit for some types of anxiety disorders. Drug therapy is usually combined with some form of talk therapy to achieve optimal improvements. 

When you’re ready to begin, call the office to schedule a visit or book an appointment online.