Anxiety Counseling

Do your work and school worries fill your time off?  Are you stressed over the what if’s of upcoming events, conversations or meetings?  Is your mind filled with worse-case scenarios of imminent doom?  Does your apprehension make it tricky to get on with regular life and enjoy each day?

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety a feeling of discomfort or overwhelming worry or fear about a situation that centers around everyday life. These feelings of discomfort or uneasiness could possibly consist of different settings such as work, school, family, or social life.

Other cases consist of avoiding particular places or situations that could trigger this uneasy feeling. Having this sense of apprehension may result in disruptions or distractions in daily routines. These thoughts or feelings may begin as early as childhood and continue into adulthood if the discomfort is never settled.

Causes

The causes of anxiety are still an unknown area to evaluate for most researchers, though it is very common for this sense of uneasiness to still factor into a person’s daily functioning. These factors can include:

• A person’s environment – having difficulty with school, work, home life, or interpersonal relationships
• A person’s genetic makeup – having family with a history of anxiety or an anxiety disorder can be common
• Is health-related – having side effects from medication, stress from a surgical procedure or extended healing of recovery
• Brain chemistry – having areas of the brain responsible for influencing consistent and overwhelming uneasiness or discomfort
• Withdrawal from an illegal substance – can possibly strengthen the influence of this discomfort

Common Signs/Symptoms of Anxiety

• Uncontrollable feelings of apprehension or discomfort
• Restlessness, nervousness, or being tensed
• Troubling with sleeping, whether falling or staying asleep
• Difficulty concentrating on certain tasks (e.g. work/schoolwork) other than present discomfort
• An increase in heart rate
• Irritable moods
• Sweating
• Tensed muscles
• Having an urge to avoid situations that cause uneasiness
• Trembling
• Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Types of Anxiety

• Agoraphobia – having a fear and avoidance of certain places, situations or occurrences, that may cause panic for a person; having feelings of being trapped or escaping from a situation and feelings of helplessness
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – having a persistence with anxiety that extends over a long period of time and consists of worrying from daily events and activities. These overwhelming feelings of discomfort is often uncontrollable and can possibly occur with other anxiety disorders or even depression. GAD is the most common disorder associated with anxiety.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder – commonly a childhood disorder with high levels of nervousness after separation from another individual (or place) that provides a source of safety or security. These symptoms may also result in a person having panic symptoms.
• Social Anxiety Disorder – having a high level of overwhelming discomfort or fearing and avoiding social settings due to feelings of being embarrassed or judged in a negative way by others. These feelings may include fear of speaking in public settings or an uneasy feeling of shame or rejection.
• Specific Phobia – having an intense fear and avoidance of a particular object or situation (e.g. flying, fear of needles); phobias can possibly cause panic attacks for some individuals.
• Panic Disorder – having repeated episodes of sudden feelings of overwhelming uneasiness or discomfort and fear or panic that occurs unexpectedly (commonly known as a panic attack). Symptoms may include chest pain, rapid heart rate (heart palpitations), or a shortness of breath. These panic attacks could lead to fear or worry about it occurring again or avoiding situations where/when they occurred.

Anxiety in Children and Teens

Anxiety in children and teenagers is common and is often normal for most. Children will typically develop these instincts from their home life, social life, and caretakers and will often develop coping skills to manage their anxiety.

Anxiety can also become persistent for children and teenagers, which could then develop into an anxiety disorder. Overwhelming anxiety can possibly interfere with daily functioning such as home, school, and a child’s social life if help is not sought.

When to Seek Help:

• When worrying is too overwhelming and interferes with daily life (work, school, home, social life)
• When feelings of discomfort are too difficult to control or cope with
• Having difficulty with alcohol and/or other drugs or having feelings of depression or other mental health related concerns
• Having suicidal thoughts/feelings or behaviors (if the case, seek emergency assistance immediately)
• If the discomfort is linked to another physical health issue

Treatment / Self-Care:

For some, treating anxiety or an anxiety disorder requires self-care for a person, without the assistance of clinical support, though additional support may be required if the anxiety is more severe or continues over a long period of time. Clinical supervision can include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, or medication for treatment. There are several exercises and techniques that can be used to help a person cope with less severe anxiety disorders, including:

• Stress Management – discovering ways to manage stress can possibly reduce the feelings of discomfort and uneasiness; these can include hobbies that take your mind off negative thoughts
• Relaxation Techniques – practicing a deep breathing routine, meditation, or yoga
• Exercise – physical activity can help improve and release triggers from those negative feelings
• Support System – speaking with family members or a trusted friend or finding additional resources such as a support group

Manage your anxiety, don’t let your anxiety manage you!  Contact us today to start your journey towards being in charge of your anxiety.

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Therapy for Anxiety, Stress and worry near you! 

Servicing the Naperville, IL, Wheaton, IL, Warrenville, IL, Winfield, IL and Lisle, IL areas!