Anxiety Information | Authentic Connection

Anxiety

What is it?

Anxiety is a normal emotional, cognitive, and physiological experience to a stressful event. Typically, anxiety is a signal for your body and mind to address and pay attention to something that is scary, unexpected, or challenging. Scenarios that can create anxiety can range from social settings, specific fears, goals for the future, and health/well-being. Anxiety becomes problematic when it detracts from your daily life, impacts your ability to perform tasks well, and or negatively influences your social relationships.

Symptoms of Problematic Anxiety

Though anxiety is a normal human experience, it can be greatly debilitating. Approximately 31% of adults and teens experience problematic anxiety at least once in their lifetime. Symptoms can include and are not limited to:

Excessive Worry: Excessive concern about a number of events or activities (e.g., work, school, health), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months.
Difficulty Controlling Worry: The individual finds it difficult to control the worry, which often leads to significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
Physical and Cognitive Factors

1) Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge

2) Being easily fatigued

3) Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

4) Irritability

5) Muscle tension

6) Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling/staying asleep, or restless sleep).

Treatment

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Treatment may include:

Therapy (especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT, Exposure Therapy)
Medication (such as antianxiety medications or multifunctional antidepressants)
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques
Lifestyle changes (exercise, healthy sleep, nutrition)

With the right support and treatment, people with problematic anxiety can learn to manage symptoms and or bring their anxiety to appropriate levels. All of our therapists at Authentic Connection are capable and comfortable addressing these concerns. Specific therapists who specialize with anxiety concerns are Philip, Laura, and Susan.