Everyone feels anxious or nervous once in a while—that’s normal. But what happens when that anxiety becomes a constant presence that doesn’t go away and gets in the way of your life?Â
When a person is extremely anxious or worried on most days for six months or longer, it’s often called Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD is just one type of anxiety disorder, alongside others like panic disorder and phobias.Â
The Symptoms of Severe AnxietyÂ
People with severe or extreme anxiety feel very worried or “on edge” much of the time. You might find yourself feeling very anxious about major things like health, work, or relationships, or even worrying more than normal about small things.Â
This constant state of worry takes a physical toll. Other symptoms can include:Â
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble focusing
- Physical symptoms, like feeling very tired, tense muscles, stomach aches, or chest tightnessÂ
If you are struggling with anxiety that fits this description, seeing your doctor or nurse is the first step. They can screen for anxiety during a check-up by asking about your symptoms, how often they happen, and whether your anxiety gets in the way of your work or relationships.Â
Finding the Right Treatment PathÂ
Anxiety is treatable, and people often respond differently to various approaches, so it might take a while to find the treatment that helps you most. The keys are to not give up and to tell your doctor or nurse how you feel along the way.Â
Treatments generally include one or both of the following:Â
- Psychotherapy: This involves talking with a mental health counselor about your feelings, relationships, and worries. Therapy can help you feel less anxious by finding new ways of thinking about your situation and learning new skills.
- Medicines: Anti-anxiety medicines are available for treatment and management. Your doctor or nurse will decide which medicines are best for you.Â
Some people find the best results by using psychotherapy and taking medicines at the same time.Â
What can you do to manage anxiety symptoms?Â
People with anxiety disorders often have to deal with some anxiety for the rest of their life, and it can get worse during times of stress. In addition to professional treatment, there are many things you can do to help manage this.Â
It might help to:Â
- Move your body: Exercise, even gentle forms like walking, can help you feel less anxious.
- Limit or avoid caffeine: Cutting down on coffee and other sources of caffeine can help, as caffeine can make anxiety worse.
- Find healthy ways to manage stress: Activities like yoga, tai chi, or meditation can help manage anxiety.
- Get plenty of sleep every night: People who regularly don't get enough sleep are more likely to develop anxiety.Â
If you are currently undergoing treatment, remember to call your doctor or nurse if your symptoms are getting worse even with treatment, or if your medicine is causing bothersome side effects.Â
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login here
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!