Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
By Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT on Saturday, June 20th, 2015 in Anxiety Counseling. No Comments
The symptoms of anxiety disorder are generally characterized by consistent, extreme, and unfounded fear, worry, or dismay. For example, a person with anxiety disorder may feel anxious about life with no specific reason. He or she may simply have an underlying fear but not be able to share what that fear is attributed. The person with anxiety disorder may have difficulty with sleeping, feeling tired all the time, irritable, unfocused or difficulty in concentrating, and may snap with anger at others. The duration of these symptoms lasts six months or longer.
For example, if you have general anxiety disorder (GAD), you may feel anxious and worry about yourself and others for no specific reason. You may have difficulty sleeping, suffer from fatigue and irritability, struggle to concentrate, and feel constantly on edge. The person may get easily angered (fight), want to avoid conflicts (flee), or feel unable to make everyday life decisions (freeze). These symptoms last for at least six months or more.
Physical symptoms include: irregular heartbeats, chest pain, hot or cold flashes, cold or moist hands, upset or queasy stomachs, diarrhea, shortness of breath, frequent urination, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, tremors, muscle aches, tired, and inability to sleep or stay asleep.
Emotional/Psychological: nervousness, apprehension, dread, impaired concentration or selective attention, feeling restless or on edge, avoidance, nightmares, irritability, confusion, behavioral problems (especially in children and adolescents), nervousness, jumpiness, self-consciousness, insecurity, fear of dying or going crazy, and a strong desire to escape. The anxiety can lead to negative or cognitive distorted thinking and expecting negative results, which can increase their anxiety and thus increase the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
The first task of treating anxiety disorders begins with correct information about the disorder. The person that has struggled with anxiety for many years can find reassurance when given a diagnosis along with hope that it can be treated.
The 2nd task of treatment is to address the negative and distorted thoughts about himself/herself, the world, others, and how to face their problems and challenges. Cognitive behavior therapy is a method of changing the way the person thinks and how to solve problems, which provides a greater feeling of being in control.
A 3rd task of treatment is to learn relaxation and breathing exercises to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. When the worries of life feel overwhelming, he or she can turn to the relaxing and self-soothing exercises to contain the anxiety.
A 4th task of treatment is to determine whether SSRI antidepressant medication would be useful in the person’s life; especially when the anxiety is high. Our counselors work with psychiatrists that specialize in treating anxiety disorders with medication. The goal is to take the edge off of the overwhelming feeling of anxiety but not to over medicate.
If you suffer from the anxiety symptoms described above and desire to pursue healthy ways to cope with it, please call our counseling center today at 303-933-5800 to setup a session with one of our counselors that specializes in anxiety disorders.
Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT
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