Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night worrying?
Maybe you’re stressing about work tomorrow, a difficult conversation, or something else that might happen in the future. Anxiety is something that almost everybody experiences from time to time. A lot of the time, it can even be helpful by keeping us focused and alert.
But what happens when the anxiety doesn’t go away? What if it starts affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or your ability to do the things you love?
At that point, it may be more than everyday stress.
Everyday Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder
Feeling nervous before a presentation or an exam is normal. Avoiding opportunities, losing sleep, or experiencing panic attacks may be a sign that something more serious is happening.
For example, someone might spend days worrying about a meeting, stay up all night, or even call out of work to avoid the situation.
Anxiety disorders involve persistent fear, worry, or nervousness that feels hard to control and interferes with daily life. These feelings also stick around even when there isn’t an immediate stressor.
Common Signs and Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety can be experienced both mentally and physically. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Emotional Symptoms:
- Constant worrying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Feeling on edge or restless
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Fear that something bad is going to happen
Physical Symptoms:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking
- Muscle tension
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
Behavioral Symptoms:
One of the biggest signs that your anxiety may be more serious than you think is avoidance. People with anxiety disorders often start to avoid situations that trigger that fear or discomfort. This can include social events, driving, public speaking, or even everyday tasks.
People with anxiety sometimes also engage in “safety behaviors.” These are actions people take to feel safer during anxious times.
A common safety behavior is asking others for reassurance. Someone with an anxiety disorder may frequently ask people around them if everything is ok, if they made the right decision, or if they should be worried about a situation. Some people may also repeatedly search online or ask AI questions in hopes of being reassured.
Socially anxious people might also rehearse sentences before talking to someone or use their phone to avoid socializing. A person with a phobia might only go to certain places if they’re with another person.
While avoiding a stressful situation, being reassured, or engaging in other safety behaviors may feel relieving in the moment, they can reinforce fear and make anxiety stronger over time because your brain never learns that the situation isn’t as bad as it might seem.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you’re wondering if your anxiety may be more than normal stress, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I worrying more than other people around me?
- Is it hard to control my anxiety?
- Is my anxiety interfering with daily activities?
- Have these feelings been present for a long time?
- Am I avoiding activities because of fear or worry?
- Am I experiencing any physical symptoms, like heart racing or sweating, when I’m feeling worried?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, it may be worth talking to a mental health professional.
Understanding Anxiety Treatment
The good news about anxiety disorders is that they are highly treatable.
Therapy can be a very useful tool to help reduce anxiety symptoms. One of the most common approaches is exposure therapy, which helps people slowly face the situations that are making them anxious in a safe and controlled environment. Over time, your brain starts to realize that the situation isn’t as dangerous as it originally seemed.
A common approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps people find and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to their anxiety.
Depending on the person, treatment may also include lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, or medication.
Newer approaches, like virtual reality exposure therapy, are also tools to help anxiety. These tools allow people to practice confronting their fears in a virtual environment while receiving support from their therapist.
In addition to therapy, techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can help manage anxiety symptoms.
Taking the Next Steps
The important thing to remember is that help is available. Recognizing the signs is an important step towards feeling better. If your anxiety has been holding you back, reaching out for support can be the first step toward understanding your symptoms, developing effective coping skills, and regaining confidence in your daily life. Book an appointment today.
