It is completely natural to feel anxious before a dental visit or starting something new? Most of us will experience tension before speaking in front of a large group or sweaty palms when thinking about the future?
These are all common reactions when faced with something that's daunting or unfamiliar and it doesn't necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
However, some people suffer from a more severe form of anxiety that causes more serious physical symptoms.
To better understand if your anxious feelings could be a sign of an anxiety or panic disorder, let's take a look at some of the symptoms:
# Racing Heart - If you feel your heart is racing and you can't breathe correctly, this can be a symptom of anxiety that is severe enough for you to get professional help.
# Uncontrollable Fears - Some people have uncontrollable fears such as a fear of driving, or germs that cause complete avoidance of places or situations.
# Lack of Concentration - A consistent inability to concentrate can be a symptom of anxiety. This must be consistent behaviour, and not just on those occasions when you lack sleep or are hungry, for instance.
# Nervous behaviours - If you are often highly strung such as walking around the same area over and over again or twitching your fingers or toes repetitively, this can be a symptom.
# Fearful - If you are continuously experiencing a sense of dread that something will happen to you, such as an accident, heart attack, or even death, this can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder or panic disorder. A Fear of people around you and the desire to be alone are feelings that many anxiety sufferers face.
# Numbness - A lack of sensation in your hands, fingers, toes, and legs or feeling like you can't stand are also common symptoms.
# Difficulty Swallowing - If you find that you have difficulty swallowing and it's not attributed to a medical condition or have unusual dry mouth episodes, these may be indications of anxiety.
# Agoraphobia - The inability to leave your home is one of the signs of agoraphobia a severe anxiety and panic disorder. This also include symptoms such as being in crowded places and being alone outside of home.
# Feeling Overwhelmed - If your normal activities become overwhelming to you, you could be suffering from anxiety or a panic disorder.
The good news is that there's help for you if you suffer from anxiety. Understanding your condition can help alleviate the stress and fear these panic attacks cause and will also help you find a solution to stopping the attacks altogether. Living life in fear of another panic attack will hold you hostage and prevent you from doing the things you love.
While there are many self-help coping strategies that may help to manage the symptoms the first point of contact should always be to seek professional assistance such as from your General Practitioner (GP) who will refer you on to further medical professionals so that you can access the treatment that can put you back on the road to peace, health and happiness.
For more help on anxiety see 11 Key Ways to Tame YOUR Anxiety here
By|Thefeelgoodvibesco @womenwhoslay