Anxiety is a normal human response that ensures our survival, but chronic anxiety can interfere with one's ability to live a productive and happy life. Anxiety can impede one's ability to leave their home, develop meaningful connections with others, or function effectively in the workplace.
What is Anxiety?
In the most basic terms, anxiety is a feeling or worry that is out of proportion to a given situation. Cues to anxiety may be feeling out of control or receiving unexpected news. The sensations may subside once we become comfortable or remove ourselves from the environment. However, people with chronic anxiety feel uneasy in most situations, even when they are alone. They may dwell on memories or concerns about the future. A person who suffers from anxiety may feel paralyzed in select moments or in every area of life.
What are the Signs of Anxiety?
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition in which feelings of worry and concern affect a person's ability to function. People who have GAD symptoms may experience the following:
- Chronic exhaustion and fatigue
- Challenges with sleep
- Chronic migraines and headaches
- Restlessness and inability to relax
- Irritability
- Excessive worry/fear
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Fast heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- A person with chronic anxiety may also have a panic disorder that causes chest pains, hyperventilation, and other somatic complaints.
What are the Risk Factors for Anxiety?
A family predisposition to mental health symptoms and stressors throughout one's childhood can influence one's development of anxiety in the future. The use of substances can also influence anxiety symptom presentation.
What Treatment is Available for Anxiety?
You may come to our facility already experiencing the effects of anxiety in your life. Our mental health therapists monitor your progress and intervene as needed. We will help you understand your symptoms and help you develop ways that you can manage life without triggering an anxiety response. Treatment will include therapy, and we may also recommend anti-anxiety medications. Identifying the fears behind your anxiety may release you from the grip of these mental health symptoms and allow you to use skills to decrease symptoms related to anxiety.
Anxiety is typically treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, including:
Take the Step!
Don't let anxiety-related symptoms negatively impact your life any longer. Call 720-295-6703 or click here to submit a request for a 20-minute initial consultation call with us to get started on your path to recovery.
