Feeling stressed out or overwhelmed on occasion is apart of living life. The difference between normal stress and having an anxiety disorder is that this stress becomes a lasting part of everyday life. Anxiety disorders often include frequent sensations of intense fear or worry, that can intensify in minutes. This frequent worry can make completing the activities of daily life difficult and is often out of balance with the actual threat presented. For some, this can include panic symptoms, which create an overwhelming physiological response. Often those who experience panic attacks may change their patterns of life to avoid the possibility of triggering such an event.

An unfortunate side effect of the necessary study of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans is the impression for many, that a person must have directly experienced a violent or traumatic event to struggle with this condition. That is not the case. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists four different types of traumatic exposure that can lead to PTSD.

Symptoms

• Restlessness Tension
• Nervousness
• Fearing future danger, panic symptoms, or doom
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Shaking or Trembling
• Fatigue or weakness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Rumination or thinking about a worry repeatedly
• Sleep Difficulty
• Gastrointestinal Issues
• Frequent worry
• Avoiding

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder

• Frequent anxiety or worry about multiple events in life, including everyday activities of daily life.
• The amount of emotional discomfort experienced is out of balance with the actual event.

Panic disorder

• Recurring experiences of extreme fear and anxiety that creates an uncomfortable physiological response.
• Panic attacks may include feeling shortness of breath, changes in heart rate, and chest pain.
• People who have experienced a panic attack often worry they may happen again and may avoid similar environments or activities.

Selective mutism

• When children cannot or do not speak in certain situations, while having the ability to speak in others.

Separation anxiety disorder

• Worry or anxiety when a child is separated from their parents or caregiver that is beyond what is expected at their developmental level.

Social anxiety disorder

• Excessive anxiety about social situations.
• Anxiety related to social judgment, embarrassment, and performance.

Substance-induced anxiety disorder

• Anxiety or panic from using drugs, medications, exposure to a toxin, or substance withdrawal.

Other unspecified anxiety disorder

• Having anxiety symptoms that don’t meet the criteria for anxiety disorders but cause distress and disrupt a person’s ability to function fully.

Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition

• In some cases, anxiety can come from an underlying medical condition.
• Some of the medical conditions that can cause anxiety symptoms are:
  • Heart Disease, Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, Respiratory Disorders, Chronic Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Rare Tumors, Medication Side Effects

Seek Help If:

• Worry is making work, relationships, or other parts of your life difficult.
• Anxiety symptoms are causing discomfort in your life and are hard to manage.
• You are using alcohol or drugs to “self-medicate.”
• You have a physical condition that could be contributing to anxiousness.
• You have been considering harming yourself or others. Seek emergency treatment immediately.

Treatment

Therapy

Therapy focuses on thoughts, feelings, and problems that are currently influencing your mood and behavior. Often‚ working to process your past can help when those events are effecting your perspective and choices today. Using this perspective, finding ways to manage what is happening in your present situation, and developing coping strategies can move you towards healing and resilience. In therapy, you develop skills to help you cope with daily challenges, modify behaviors, and discover solutions.

Some of the treatment protocols we offer are:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Relaxation Training
• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM)
• Trauma-Focused Neuro-Linguistic Programming (TF-NLP)

Medication 

Prescribed medication helps many manage the symptoms. Consult a psychiatrist or a physician about your specific needs. If you are prescribed any medication‚ ask for details about taking the medication and give them all of your information honestly.

• Sometimes results are shown in a few days, but it can take four weeks or more to work fully.
• Inform your doctor of any side effects. Side effects often go away as your body adjusts, but make sure to keep your doctor informed.
• Don’t stop taking the medication without your doctor’s instruction to do so.
• Some medications may cause risks during pregnancy. Inform your doctor about if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
• If your symptoms get worse or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others‚ call your doctor right away.

If you are in crisis:

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a 24−hour crisis center or dial 911
  • 1−800−273−TALK (8255)
• Text the Crisis Text Line The Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis.
  • Text “Home” to 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
• Contact your mental health provider.
• Get help from your physician or other health care provider.
• Reach out to a friend, family member, or other social support.

The information provided is not for diagnostic use or a substitute for mental health care. A mental health professional can make a proper assessment of your symptoms and help you recover. If you believe you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder‚ talk with your doctor or a mental health professional immediately.