Healthy anxiety should not interfere with relationships, careers and family settings. Anxiety should not prevent one from living one's life in a way that is meaningful for that person. The feelings of anxiety can be very disruptive and confusing, leading to even more serious problems. It is very important to remember that the symptoms and manifestations are very individual depending on the person.
Emotional Symptoms
The emotional symptoms are very intense and can become overwhelming if ignored. These symptoms include feelings of apprehension or dread, difficulty concentrating, feeling tense and jumpy, always anticipating the worst scenario in a situation, irritability due to tension, restlessness, a constant alertness for signs of danger, exaggerated startle response, and a feeling that one's mind goes blank under pressure.
Physical Symptoms
As with all emotional disorders there are physical manifestations that make the sense of anxiety even worse. The physical symptoms can include sweating, stomach upset, dizziness, shortness of breath, tremors or twitches, muscle tension, intense headaches, insomnia and fatigue. Oftentimes people suffering with severe anxiety report a sense that they are having a heart attack. These physical symptoms can be debilitating, as well as frightening. The symptoms can also interfere with work and/or family life.
If left untreated these expressions of intense anxiety can become a full blown anxiety disorder. A person with such a disorder will avoid everyday situations, may be afraid to leave their home and may find their life seriously disrupted. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to chronic anxiety or panic attacks in which a person deals with a sense of terror. During a panic attack, people report being unable to breathe or even to request help. Panic attacks help to heighten anxiety because many people report becoming anxious about having another attack because the attacks themselves are so unpleasant.
Treatment
Anxiety can be treated in couple of ways. Make time for oneself, being aware that the self is important in our hurried way of living. Many people report daily meditation as being very helpful as it helps to relax a person and clear the mind. Exercise can also do a lot to relieve tension and should become part of everyone's daily routine. In addition, it is clearly important to develop a support group of friends and family that can listen to the parts of one's life that are truly anxiety provoking.
If the practices listed above do not improve the situation then professional help can be very healing. Talk therapy, anti-anxiety medication and behavior therapy designed to change thinking and behavior can be very helpful. It is important to remember that these symptoms are very real and very overwhelming and if left untreated can lead to a serious anxiety disorder or suicide.
A Positive Attitude
Be aware that this is nothing to be ashamed of. Our society is one which places a lot of emphasis on success and achievement. In some high powered careers, leisure time is in fact looked down upon and the associated stress can easily get out of control. Get the help needed; take the time to care for the stress that is felt. In the long term, one will live a better more comfortable life.
Much of the above information and even more information can be found in DSM IV which is a listing of all psychological disorders currently diagnosed. In addition websites like www.familydoctor.org can also give more information.
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