Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety Disorders
Not "just stress"
We all worry and feel anxious, sometimes. However over 19 million people experience extreme, excessive, uncontrollable and incapacitating fear and anxiety.
Anxiety is the second most commonly diagnosed mental health problem; depression ranks first. Half of those who suffer with an anxiety disorder also struggle with depression. Many try to ignore or trivialize their discomfort and suffer needlessly. Yet anxiety disorders can be treated effectively with counseling and medication.
Anxiety disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Panic Disorder. Those with these disorders:
- Experience disturbances in relationships, college, and work
- Feel constant, extreme tension and worry
- Go to extremes to avoid situations that trigger their anxious feelings
Other Common Signs and Symptoms
- Anxious Feelings
- Anxious Thoughts
- Nervous, troubled, fearful
- Concentration difficulties
- Foggy, strange, edgy
- Racing thoughts
- Apprehensive, detached
- Scary daydreams or fantasies
- Sudden, unexpected panic spells
- "Am I going crazy?"
- "Am I going to pass out or die?"
- "I'm having a heart attack!"
- Overwhelming need for special routines such as counting, making lists, checking
Physical Symptoms
- Skipping, racing, pounding heart
- Pressure, tightness or pain in the chest
- Tingling, numbness
- Stomach discomfort, or "butterflies"
- Diarrhea/constipation
- Restlessness or jumpiness
- Tense or tight muscles
- Sweating (not due to heat)
Lump in the throat
- Trembling, shaking
- Rubbery legs
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Choking, smothering
- Headaches, back or neck pain
- Hot flashes, cold chills
- Fatigue, exhaustion
Anxiety: http://www.campusblues.com/soanx.asp
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/anxietymenu.cfm
Stress: http://www.campusblues.com/stress.asp
Anxiety Groups
http://www.njgroups.org/
Online Anxiety Screening Test
Online Screening for Personality Disorders
PANIC ATTACKS
Signs and Symptoms
Feelings:
- "Out of the blue" unexpected anxiety or panic spells.
- Foggy, detachment from surroundings.
- Worry, fears, nervousness
- Severe vague apprehension, pending doom
Thoughts:
- Fears of going crazy
- Fears of passing out
- Fears of looking foolish, losing control
- Fears of being ill, having a heart attack, dying
- Fears of being alone
Physical Symptoms:
- Skipping, racing, rapid heart beat
- Pain, pressure, tightness in the chest
- Tingling or tightness in the chest
- Sweating (not due to the heat)
- Trembling, rubbery legs
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Tight, tense muscles
- Jittery, jumpy
- Weakness, tired, exhaustion
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Hyperventilation
- Choking sensation
- Inability to concentrate
Check with your doctor to rule out a medical condition that might cause these symptoms.
Steps to Freedom
Although severe anxiety or a panic attack can be frightening, it is not life threatening. The episode usually doesn’t last more than 20 minutes. You can learn to control and eliminate them.
Here's a start:
- Anxiety is normal: everyone has anxiety. No one can see it!
- Anxiety is an exaggerated arousal; it will pass and go away.
- Anxiety is a "false alarm." Nothing bad happened.
- You are not going crazy; you will regain control.
- Deep breathing and exercise for 10 minutes is the best strategy to refocus and recover.
This message is brought to you by the Bergen Community College Counseling Center. Personal Counselors are available for a confidential appointment or a community referral. Stop in Room A-118 or call 201-447-7211.
|
