Anxiety is characterized by worry and fear about events and activities. Fears can be real or imagined. Situations can range from fear of job loss, work or academic performance, relationship problems and divorce. Anxiety signals are cues there is an underlying conflict or emotion that if not dealt with can cause problems.
Anxiety Signals
Anxiety signals are physical, emotional, spiritual, mental and relational. The sooner one recognizes signals the easier it becomes to find solutions to the problems causing the anxiety.
Some physical manifestations of anxiety are appetite change, headaches, pounding heart, foot tapping, restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge, teeth grinding and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and overeating.
Some emotional indicators are frustration, mood swings, nervous laughter, worrying, bad temper, and irritability.
Spiritual examples are doubt, cynicism, loss of direction, and feeling the need to prove oneself.
Mental symptoms can be confusion, poor concentration, whirling mind, spacing out, and negative self talk.
Relational problems such as lashing out, irritability, nagging, distrust, lack of intimacy and using people are common signals.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can lead to impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, describes the various symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Panic attacks are associated with feelings of impending doom, fearfulness or terror. Shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering feelings is a common signal.
Agoraphobia is characterized by avoidance of places or situations where escape could be difficult.
Specific Phobias are characterized by anxiety caused by a feared object or situation leading to avoidance behavior.
Social Phobias are characterized by significant anxiety provoked by exposure to certain social or performance situations leading to avoidance behavior.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessions and compulsions which neutralize the anxiety.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by re-experiencing a traumatic event by avoidance of the trauma.
Acute Stress Disorder occurs immediately following a traumatic event.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed by at least 6 months of persistent and excessive worry and anxiety.
Managing Anxiety
Recognizing anxiety signals is the first step to finding solutions to the underlying problems. When you are unable to find solutions on your own, Seek the help of a mental health professional.
References
- Lecker,M.D., Sidney, The Natural Way to Stress Control, 1978
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
