Many of us have “anxiety” or general worry about things in everyday life. For instance, wondering if you will be able to pay all of your bills this month. Worrying about the safety of your loved ones as they travel. It could even be fear over giving a presentation at work or having to have a difficult conversation with your boss. You might be asking yourself, “do I need help for my anxiety?”
A day in the life of someone suffering from intense anxiety
For someone suffering more intensely, a typical day may go something like this: they wake up from a restless night’s sleep, they worry for their children’s safety as they put them on the bus. Then, as they drive to their downtown Grand Rapids job, they worry about whether they will be able to find street parking close to their office building. Their stomach starts to churn, and their heart races as they think about the presentation they have to give at the meeting today. They have forgotten to eat breakfast and are not hungry for lunch.
All throughout the day, they are thinking about the doctor’s appointment tomorrow and are afraid the results will come back with a life-threatening diagnosis. Still tired from a bad night’s sleep, they rely on coffee to keep them awake and focused. As they pass coworkers in the hallway, they are replaying what they said in the meeting and hoping they didn’t sound stupid. They even contemplate calling in sick tomorrow.
Symptoms of clinical anxiety
Those that suffer with more of a clinical level of anxiety are having these and other worries in an excessive manner, more days than not, typically for at least six months. These individuals may be having trouble controlling their worry, find themselves tired and a difficult concentrating, and it may be affecting their sleep. For some, these symptoms may cause so much distress that they find themselves not participating in normal, everyday activities like school or work, or interactions with others.
How do I get a handle on my anxiety?
The encouraging thing is, counseling can help you learn how to manage and decrease your anxiety no matter where you find yourself on the spectrum. Many methods are helpful for anxiety including therapy that examines and modifies your behaviors and thoughts (Cognitive-behavioral therapy), mindfulness, and relaxation techniques are just a few of the tools your counselor can use to help you get control of your anxiety. In some extreme cases, medication can be used as a supplement to therapy. The good news is, most people can learn to control their anxiety without the use of medication.
Learn more about how we may be able to help and keep your eyes out for a post on how to help with everyday worry.
Watch our video on when to get help for anxiety:
https://youtu.be/CtuSYUqDD1Y
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