Anxiety is more than just a feeling. As a product of the body's fight-or-flight response, anxiety involves a wide range of physical symptoms. Because of the numerous physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake their disorder for a medical illness. You may have visited many doctors and made numerous trips to the hospital before your anxiety disorder was discovered!
Trauma survivors often experience some type of anxiety. In fact,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder itself is classified as an anxiety
disorder.
If you are experiencing any of the following over a month or more, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety and/or panic attacks:
Sudden onset of intense fearfulness, terror or feelings of impending doom
Shortness of breath
Pounding heart, chest pain or discomfort
Sweating
Stomach upset or dizziness
Muscle tension
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
The urge to escape or fear that you would be unable to escape or get help if you needed to
Excessive concern about the outcome of routine activities
particularly those related to health, being separated from loved-ones
or finances
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Catastrophizing: Anticipating the worst
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Avoidance of places or situations where you experienced a panic attack in the past
Experiencing symptoms of anxiety like these can be terrifying and disrupt many aspects of your life. Contact me and I can help you manage and recover from anxiety.