These days, there are many people who suffer from psychological issues such as high stress levels and anxiety. These issues are bad enough in themselves but they can also lead to other problems such as physical health problems, relationship problems, issues at work, and more. In short, this type of issue can affect your life on pretty much every level which is why conditions such as anxiety need to be tackled sooner rather than later.
When you ask people who suffer from anxiety why they have never sought help, many will say ‘because we were, well…scared’. However, anxiety is nothing to be scared or embarrassed about. It is a condition and like other similar issues it can be treated. The first thing you need to do is to be able to recognize the symptoms of anxiety.
Some of the common symptoms to look out for
If you are unsure as to whether you or someone you know may be suffering from anxiety, here are some of the psychological symptoms you should look out for:
· Feeling restless all the time
· Feeling as though you have something to dread
· Being on edge all the time
· Finding it difficult to focus or concentrate
· Being irritable a lot of the time
The above are just the psychological effects of anxiety. There are also many physiological effects that you have to be aware of. Some of these include:
· Feeling continually tired
· Regular dizzy spells
· Having palpitations
· Aching muscles
· Mouth feeling dry a lot of the time
· Trembling or shaking for no apparent reason
· Pains in the stomach area
· Feeling short of breath
· Sweating a lot
· Having regular headaches
· Feeling nauseous
· Suffering from pins and needles
· Trouble with sleeping
As you can see, a lot of these signs and non-specific, which means that they are very general and could be associated with a wide range of issues. However, if you suffer from a lot of these symptoms, there is a chance that you may be suffering from anxiety disorder and that you need to speak to your doctor about getting some form of treatment. The earlier you can do this the better, as it means that you can get the treatment you need in a timely manner rather than suffering.
Treating anxiety problems with counseling and medication
The treatment that your doctor suggests for anxiety can vary based on a number of factors. The initial suggestion may be for you to look at self-help courses to try and help you manage your anxiety. This can include courses where you work alone via books and online or group courses held by a therapist. Some people prefer to have the support of a group, as this makes them feel more positive and less like they are suffering alone.
If this fails to help you, then your doctor may look at more in-depth counseling to help you to cope with the anxiety. This is something that most prefer to do before they turn to drug based medication. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is one of the most commonly used types of counseling treatment used for those who suffer from anxiety.
As a last resort, your doctor may prescribe medication for you. While this can be effective you need to be mindful of the side effects, which is why counseling is often the most effective solution for the treatment of anxiety. If your doctor does decide to prescribe medication, you need to make sure you read through the details carefully or speak to your doctor so that you are fully aware of the possible side effects.
Jodi Mitchell is a licensedanxiety Therapist in Fresno, California. She has a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a background in Recreation Therapy. Visit her website at www.jodimitchellmft.com.
