Anxiety Information- My Online Therapy

Anxiety Information

We all feel anxious sometimes, but if you have an Anxiety Disorder you may be overwhelmed with fear and worry. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for Anxiety Disorders. Therapy, relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced, healthy lifestyle can help you reduce your anxiety and take back control of your life.

What is anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety. It's a normal, healthy response to certain life situation. Most of us experience anxiety when we're faced with stressful situations or traumatic events. Our heart may pound when we experience a near miss while driving, when we have to meet with the boss, or when we are in new situations. We experience anxiety or feelings of nervousness when faced with family problems or financial stressors. Anxiety is part of our natural "fight or flight" response. It's our body's way of warning of danger ahead and is often adaptive. When we are almost hit by another car on the highway, our body is flooded with adrenaline and norepinephrine in order to ramp our five senses and our reflexes to manuever our car out of danger. Anxiety fires us up to overcome challenges or protect ourselves from a threat. Anxiety also tells us when we are in a situation in which we should not be. Sometimes it is a dangerous situation, like a car swerving toward us on the highway. Other times the situation is self-inflicted, like not paying our bills, cheating on your spouse, scamming a system in order to profit, or not performing our duties at work to the point that we're about to be fired. Drug use and its peripheral activities (illegal activity, shoplifting, etc.) will also exacerbate anxious feelings. However, if you are avoiding behaviors which exacerbate anxiety and are still so full of fear that you are unable to participate in your life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Anxiety Disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the U.S. Approximately 40 million people over the age of 18 are affected each year. Anxiety can be experienced in many different ways. You may experience free-floating anxiety without knowing exactly what you are afraid of. You may suffer from sudden, intense panic attacks that strike without warning. Your anxiety may come in the form of extreme social inhibition or in unwanted obsessions and compulsions. Or you may have a phobia of an object or situation that doesn’t seem to bother other people.

Despite their different manifestations, all Anxiety Disorders share one thing in common: persistent—and often overwhelming—fear or worry. The frequency and intensity of these fears can be so severe they prevent you from participating in your life. Characteristics of an anxiety disorder include:

Anxiety which is constant, unrelenting, and all-consuming
Anxiety which causes self-imposed isolation or emotional withdrawal
Anxiety which interferes with normal activities like going outside or interacting with other people

Prolonged anxiety can lead to other problems, such as low self-esteem, depression, alcoholism or dependence on anti-anxiety medications. Anxiety can also negatively impact your work and your personal relationships. But the good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. With the help of a mental health professional, you can find ways to work with your anxiety symptoms and be able to participate in life again.

What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. They usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational the panic is very real. A person experiencing a panic attack will often feel as if they are having a heart attack, or are about to die or pass out.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack include:

Shortness of breath
Palpitations or pounding heart
Chest pain or discomfort
Trembling or shaking
Dizziness
Nausea or stomach distress
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Hot or cold flashes

What are the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

The primary symptoms of Anxiety Disorders are fear and worry. However, Anxiety Disorders are also characterized by additional emotional and physical symptoms.

Emotional/Psychological Symptoms

Apprehension, uneasiness, and dread
Impaired concentration or selective attention
Feeling restless or on edge
Avoidance
Hypervigilance
Irritability
Confusion
Behavioral problems (especially in children and adolescents)
Nervousness and jumpiness
Self-consciousness and insecurity
Fear that you are dying or going crazy
Strong desire to escape

Physical Symptoms

Heart palpitations or racing heartbeat
Chest pain
Hot flashes or chills
Cold and clammy hands
Stomach upset or queasiness
Frequent urination or diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Dizziness
Tremors, twitches, and jitters
Muscle tension or aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia

If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and would like to talk to a counselor please see our Services and Fees page or our Sign Up page in order to obtain assistance.

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Anxiety Information


About our Therapy What to Expect from Therapy About Online Therapy Frequently Asked Questions About our Services Meet our Therapists Services and Fees Sign Up for Services About our Products Self Help Library CDs and DVDs Bookstore About Us Email Privacy Privacy Statement Contact Us	Anxiety Information We all feel anxious sometimes, but if you have an Anxiety Disorder you may be overwhelmed with fear and worry. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for Anxiety Disorders. Therapy, relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced, healthy lifestyle can help you reduce your anxiety and take back control of your life. What is anxiety? Everyone experiences anxiety. It's a normal, healthy response to certain life situation. Most of us experience anxiety when we're faced with stressful situations or traumatic events. Our heart may pound when we experience a near miss while driving, when we have to meet with the boss, or when we are in new situations. We experience anxiety or feelings of nervousness when faced with family problems or financial stressors. Anxiety is part of our natural "fight or flight" response. It's our body's way of warning of danger ahead and is often adaptive. When we are almost hit by another car on the highway, our body is flooded with adrenaline and norepinephrine in order to ramp our five senses and our reflexes to manuever our car out of danger. Anxiety fires us up to overcome challenges or protect ourselves from a threat. Anxiety also tells us when we are in a situation in which we should not be. Sometimes it is a dangerous situation, like a car swerving toward us on the highway. Other times the situation is self-inflicted, like not paying our bills, cheating on your spouse, scamming a system in order to profit, or not performing our duties at work to the point that we're about to be fired. Drug use and its peripheral activities (illegal activity, shoplifting, etc.) will also exacerbate anxious feelings. However, if you are avoiding behaviors which exacerbate anxiety and are still so full of fear that you are unable to participate in your life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. What is an Anxiety Disorder? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Anxiety Disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the U.S. Approximately 40 million people over the age of 18 are affected each year. Anxiety can be experienced in many different ways. You may experience free-floating anxiety without knowing exactly what you are afraid of. You may suffer from sudden, intense panic attacks that strike without warning. Your anxiety may come in the form of extreme social inhibition or in unwanted obsessions and compulsions. Or you may have a phobia of an object or situation that doesn’t seem to bother other people. Despite their different manifestations, all Anxiety Disorders share one thing in common: persistent—and often overwhelming—fear or worry. The frequency and intensity of these fears can be so severe they prevent you from participating in your life. Characteristics of an anxiety disorder include: Anxiety which is constant, unrelenting, and all-consuming Anxiety which causes self-imposed isolation or emotional withdrawal Anxiety which interferes with normal activities like going outside or interacting with other people Prolonged anxiety can lead to other problems, such as low self-esteem, depression, alcoholism or dependence on anti-anxiety medications. Anxiety can also negatively impact your work and your personal relationships. But the good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. With the help of a mental health professional, you can find ways to work with your anxiety symptoms and be able to participate in life again. What is a Panic Attack? Panic attacks are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. They usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational the panic is very real. A person experiencing a panic attack will often feel as if they are having a heart attack, or are about to die or pass out. Symptoms of a Panic Attack include: Shortness of breath Palpitations or pounding heart Chest pain or discomfort Trembling or shaking Dizziness Nausea or stomach distress Fear of losing control or going crazy Hot or cold flashes What are the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders? The primary symptoms of Anxiety Disorders are fear and worry. However, Anxiety Disorders are also characterized by additional emotional and physical symptoms. Emotional/Psychological Symptoms Apprehension, uneasiness, and dread Impaired concentration or selective attention Feeling restless or on edge Avoidance Hypervigilance Irritability Confusion Behavioral problems (especially in children and adolescents) Nervousness and jumpiness Self-consciousness and insecurity Fear that you are dying or going crazy Strong desire to escape Physical Symptoms Heart palpitations or racing heartbeat Chest pain Hot flashes or chills Cold and clammy hands Stomach upset or queasiness Frequent urination or diarrhea Shortness of breath Sweating Dizziness Tremors, twitches, and jitters Muscle tension or aches Headaches Fatigue Insomnia If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and would like to talk to a counselor please see our Services and Fees page or our Sign Up page in order to obtain assistance.
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