If you suffer from symptoms of anxiety or have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million American adults each year. Occasional anxiety is a normal response to stress and generally passes after a short time. The symptoms of an anxiety disorder last at least six months. If you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health professional.
Persistent Worry
Persistent, unrealistic worrying about everyday things like money, family and career is a key symptom of anxiety. Everyone worries about these things from time to time. However, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, if you are experiencing constant worry that causes a significant impact on your daily functioning, you may have an anxiety disorder. Your worries may keep you awake at night, causing insomnia. Worrying about being able to fall asleep is another common fear that may cause anxiety. Obsessive worrying can impact your functioning at work, at home, and cause significant physical and mental distress and tension.
Phobias
Consistently avoiding specific situations may be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, phobias are irrational, intense fears of a thing or situation that poses little or no danger. It's normal to experience fear when you encounter a dangerous situation or thing. However, if you suffer from a specific phobia, you avoid activities that include flying, going in elevators or other enclosed spaces, or, as with a social phobia, you may avoid contact with people. You may have social anxiety disorder if you feel extremely self-consciousness or experience intense anxiety when faced with everyday social situations.
Panic Attacks
If you have an anxiety disorder, you may experience panic attacks that don't always have an obvious cause. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, panic attacks differ from garden-variety nervous feelings experienced prior to a significant event such as a presentation or stage performance. If you experience a panic attack, you might confuse it with having a heart attack or feeling like you're about to die. You may experience extreme terror accompanied by physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, chest pain or nausea. Panic attacks usually stop after 10 minutes, but some last much longer. These attacks can occur at any time, even while you sleep.
