SEASON FOR ANXIETY

Too much anxiety can make you feel like your body just won’t move fast enough to get all the expected tasks completed in a day. You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally unraveled in the midst of being preoccupied with all that you feel you must accomplish and with problems you can’t stop worrying about. With all the expectations that come from family issues, work issues, and less money as a result of the economy, it is no wonder that anxiety is so prevalent

When You Can Take Charge

One can take charge of the normal anxiety that comes from specific problems by doing something positive to control it. When you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities, try reorganizing your daily schedule to include some extra ‘down time’ to allow yourself to unwind or by doing something that brings you pleasure. You can also schedule in extra time to be with fun family members or those people you know who make you feel good about yourself. Another way to gain control of anxiety is to begin saying ‘no’ when asked to take on new responsibilities that will only burden your day further. Although saying no can create feelings of guilt, usually these feelings go away once you become used to setting limits on your time and can see the resulting benefits in your life.  Unavoidable responsibilities such as work or family obligations need to be balanced with activities that are beneficial and fun. Responsibilities in the ‘fun category’ can include using your talents to help others or giving back in ways that you enjoy at church or in your community. Prayer, exercise and relaxation techniques can also help.

When You Can’t Take Charge

Sufferers of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) take worrying to a new level and eventually, GAD impacts one’s ability to function by taking over one’s life. Life becomes filled with feelings of dread, worrying about ‘what if’ issues that one cannot control, and relaxation may become impossible. GAD is often diagnosed once anxiety and constant worry with no specific source persists for six months or longer. Symptoms of GAD may include the following: exaggerated startle reflex, inability to sleep due to worrying, stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, lightheadedness, breathlessness, trembling, nausea and excessive sweating. These feelings may result in panic attacks when faced with certain triggering situations. Physical symptoms for GAD may include a racing or rapid heart beat, heart palpitations, a choking sensation, hyperventilation, breathing difficulties and/or tightening of the throat due to tension. People with severe anxiety often seek medical help for symptoms such as these that mimic physical health conditions. Often GAD is complicated by depression and/or substance abuse.

Finding The Help you Need

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over 6.8 million American adults suffer from GAD. More than twice as many women as men suffer from the disorder, and it occurs most frequently at some point between childhood and middle age. There is some evidence that genetics can play a role in the propensity to have GAD. If you or someone you know suffers from GAD and self-help techniques have not worked, Lutheran Counseling Center therapists can help you get your life back. Contact us at 516-741-0994, 1-800-317-1173 or by e-mail at Center@LCCNY.org.