01 June 2009

How to Check your Anxiety/Panic Attacks.

Everyone feels anxious but not everyone has an anxiety disorder such as Generalized
Anxiety Disorder. This depends on the force and extent of symptoms and how far they
act as an obstacle to your proper functioning. If fear and worry are present for at least six months and they interfere with your efficiency levels at work, then you definitely have an anxiety disorder.



GAD starts by affecting your thinking, which in turn leads to physical symptoms like
→ Intense worry and tension→ unrealistic perception of problems→ binging→
feeling edgy →restlessness →feeling irritable→ tension→ headaches→ sweating→
lack of focus→ queasiness→ frequent urination→ fatigue →lack of proper sleep →
feeling shaky→ high blood pressure →strokes →heart disease



GAD can trigger phobias, panic disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder including
alcoholism or drug addiction.
Here are some common physical symptoms of anxiety or an anxiety disorder




Chest Pain


Racing Heartbeat


Hot or Cold Flushes


Sweating Palms


Cold Hands


Nausea


Short of Breath


Dizziness


Fatigue


Muscle Pain


Headaches


Insomnia




Insecurity


Nervousness


Need to Escape


Fear of Death or Insanity



Here are some common medical conditions that may cause anxiety or an anxiety
disorder


Heart problems


Thyroid Disease


Diabetes


Hypoglycemia


Asthma


Sleep & Adrenal Disorders


Epilepsy & Migraines


Before seeing a psychiatrist, counselor or therapist, please make sure to have your
physician rule out the above medical conditions as the cause of your anxiety.


But still, how can I tell if I really have an anxiety disorder?


There is a thin dividing line between day-to-day anxieties and an anxiety disorder. Here’s
how you can draw a line between the two. If you have been continuously anxious or
worried for months and this is making it difficult for you to function in the real
world, then you are most likely suffering from an anxiety disorder.


What should you avoid if you suffer with anxiety or an anxiety disorder?


If you are anxiety prone, avoid over use of stimulants like caffeine. Don’t go near drugs
like heroin or cocaine as well as decongestants, weight-loss products, or steroids like
cortisone and prednisone. Other culprits of anxiety include:


Birth control pills


High blood pressure & thyroid medication


Inhalers


Herbs like ephedra plus Ma huang


Alcohol withdrawal


Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine or ADHD medication


Xanax or Valium withdrawal



What if you are showing the signs and symptoms of anxiety or an anxiety disorder?



First, you need to seek some professional help. You should see a medical doctor who can
properly diagnose you and make sure your anxiety does not stem from a serious medical
problem. Once you have done this, it is healthy to take the next step of therapy or mental
health counseling.






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