ANXIETY Q & A

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a term for a feeling you get in response to stress. It’s characterized by fear and anticipation, and it’s perfectly normal. If you have feelings of anxiety all the time or anxiety that’s out-of-proportion to its cause, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders cause persistent feelings of fear or restlessness that can interfere with your relationships, work, or ability to complete tasks of any kind. In fact, an anxiety disorder can have a major impact on your life and can coincide with other disorders like depression.

Some of the most common anxiety disorders are:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic disorder

• Social anxiety disorder

• Separation anxiety disorder

• Phobias

These conditions have their differences, but they share many of the same symptoms. Your Adrian Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic provider can explain your diagnosis in detail and answer any questions. 

What are some common symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety disorders have many common symptoms. If you experience anxiety, you might experience symptoms all the time or only in response to certain triggering situations or stimuli. Common effects of anxiety include:

• Restlessness

• Frequent fatigue

• Trouble sleeping

• Irritability

• Trouble concentrating

• Muscle tension

• Feelings of worry

Some people with anxiety get anxiety attacks, which happen when your symptoms flare up and the fear or worry becomes overwhelming. During an anxiety attack, you can also get physical symptoms such as sweating hands, dry mouth, or dizziness. 

How can I manage my anxiety?

Your providers at Adrian Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic are prepared to help you manage your anxiety with a combination of advanced, personalized techniques. Your care plan may involve:

• Medications: Anti-anxiety medications like sedatives or antidepressants can improve your outlook by altering your brain chemistry. These work best when you also engage in regular counseling. 

• Counseling or psychotherapy: Counseling or psychotherapy focuses on helping you recognize your disordered thinking and giving you strategies for managing your anxiety when it occurs. 

• Lifestyle changes: Building a healthy routine can make a major difference for your anxiety. Your provider might instruct you to get more sleep, exercise, or cut out substances like tobacco or caffeine that ramp up your anxiety. 

To learn more about anxiety disorders and the strategies for treating them, call Adrian Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic, or book an appointment online today.