What You Need to Know About Anxiety

Life comes with a variety of stressors, including work and personal life situations. It is natural for people to feel anxious in stressful situations, but if the anxiety begins to overwhelm you and make it difficult for you to live your life normally, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. There are several different types of anxiety that can be treated in different ways.

People suffering from these issues on a long-term basis should speak to their doctor about coping with an anxiety disorder:

• Constantly feeling tense, worried, or on edge
• Anxiety that interferes with work, school, or family life
• Irrational fears you cannot overcome
• Avoiding everyday situations because they make you anxious
• Sudden, unexpected episodes of panic
• Feeling that something bad will happen if something is not done in a particular way
• Feeling like you are always close to danger

With these primary symptoms, you may also notice a variety of emotional and physical symptoms, such as:

• Feelings of dread
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling tense or jumpy
• Anticipating the worst in all situations
• Restlessness and irritability
• Sweating
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Muscle tension, tremors, and twitches
• Headaches
• Fatigue or insomnia

Many people find that they can address their anxiety directly by finding better ways to manage the stress in their lives. However, other people need help from medication or therapy to overcome these issues. Your doctor can help you determine the best course of action depending on your medical history, level of anxiety, and overall lifestyle.