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Some anxiety is normal. In fact, some anxiety is motivating. If you are anxious about a major exam, you are more likely to study for that exam. If you are afraid the police will catch you speeding, you are more likely to slow down. Anxiety is a term that summarizes the natural human instinct to (1) flee a threat or (2) fight a threat.
We all have anxiety, but in some individuals, it becomes excessive and disabling. The most disabling type of anxiety is panic. When you have a panic attack, you are overwhelmed with unpleasant physical sensations. Some of these may include:
- Heart pounding or palpitations
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- A choking sensation
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lighthearted or faint
- Feelings of unreality
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of dying
Often, a first time panic attack sends you racing to the emergency room. The symptoms can mimic a heart attack. If you were a car, you’d be idling at 60 or 70 miles an hour instead of 10 or 15 miles an hour.
Generalized anxiety disorder is less frightening, but can still be debilitating. The anxiety is often chronic, and can include such symptoms as:
- Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless unsatisfying sleep)
In children, anxiety can look like whining or clinging behavior. It may also look like hyperactivity. In senior adults, it may take the guise of physical symptoms such as headaches or shakiness. All ages may try to mask anxiety with alcohol or drugs, which only provide temporary relief and may cause more problems. Anxiety is also present in common phobias, such as fear of heights, fear of flying or fear of enclosed spaces.
Most people decide whether they need to treat their anxiety by deciding whether it interferes with their lives. A lawyer who has panic attacks in the courtroom will want to seek treatment. An elderly woman who becomes too afraid to leave her home will need assistance. The individual who is afraid of flying may have to treat that phobia if his or her supervisor insists on job-related travel.
Anti-anxiety medications exist and, used judiciously, can be helpful. Unfortunately, many of them are habit-forming and do not present a long-term solution. Psychotherapy is often the treatment of choice in anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy is usually successful in reducing the number of panic attacks and the disabling effects of generalized anxiety and phobias.
If you think you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, or you have a friend or relative who is suffering from excessive anxiety, you can discuss treatment options by calling the Stressline at (317) 338-4800.
Disclaimer: This material is intended for the purpose of general education. It is not comprehensive. It will not substitute for the evaluation and intervention of a mental health professional.
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