ANXIETY What's Normal, What's Not? Anxiety can help us stay alert and focused, motivate us to solve problems and spur us on to action. However, when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with your activities and relationships, that is when you have crossed the line from normal anxiety. Physical symptoms of anxiety Anxiety is more than just a feeling. Because of the numerous physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake their disorder for a medical illness. They may visit many doctors and make numerous trips to the hospital before their anxiety disorder is discovered. Common physical symptoms of anxiety include: Pounding heart, sweating, stomach upset or dizziness, frequent urination or diarrhea, shortness of breath, tremors and twitches, muscle tension, headaches, fatigue insomnia.
Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common symptoms of emotional anxiety include:
Feelings of apprehension or dread; trouble concentrating; feeling tense and jumpy; anticipating the worst; irritability; restlessness; watching for signs of danger; feeling like your mind’s gone blank.
Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack Include:
Surge of overwhelming panic; feeling of losing control or going crazy; heart palpitations or chest pain; feeling like you’re going to pass out; trouble breathing or choking sensation.
DEPRESSION Are symptoms of depression interfering with your life and keeping you from where you want to be? Ask yourself if you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis:
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Low energy, fatigue
Unexplained pain, frequent headaches
Lack of motivation
Feelings of isolation, not as involved with family and friends
