Everyone feels nervous or anxious at some point in her life. We all have experienced butterflies in our stomach right before an interview, or jitters when we're about to meet someone new or go to the doctor. It's totally normal to have worried or uneasy feelings when it comes to unknown situations like these, but what if your feelings are more severe?
For some people, feelings of anxiety are both physical and emotional. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) is a very common form of anxiety. Meeting new people, being in a crowd, having a first date - these types of experiences can make someone with this disorder clam up completely, feel scared, sweat, tremble, get nauseous, have chest tightness, or have difficulty speaking. These feelings are so intense that someone with Social Anxiety would rather stay home than go out.
And then there are some people that may experience anxiety for no reason. This is called Panic Disorder. They could be sitting on the couch watching TV, and all of a sudden their heart starts pounding, their stomach starts turning, and they start sweating. Some people who experience these anxiety attacks will have a hard time seeing straight or they'll get a massive headache, some even think they are having a heart attack.
Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder are only two types of Anxiety Disorders. Obsessive-Compulsive, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Generalized Anxiety Disorders also involve feeling worried or nervous. Anxiety can be hereditary, so if someone in your family suffers from it, you could too.
What can you do if you are experiencing anxiety? To find out read more
- Seeing a therapist helps tremendously, and there are many who specialize in anxiety. Talking about your feelings can help you recognize what your triggers may be and how to avoid them.
- Many people who have anxiety also take medication (either daily or on an as-needed basis) to prevent having panic attacks.
- You can also join a support group and talk to others who have anxiety. They may be able to share ways they deal with their symptoms.
- Meditation or yoga might also help to calm your nerves, and reduce stress, which could be a trigger. Learning deep breathing techniques could help stop a panic attack if you feel it coming on.
- Talking to your close friends and family about your anxiety can also help. That way if you start feeling nervous, or have physical symptoms, they'll understand and can be sympathetic.
- Surrounding yourself with people you love and trust should also make you feel more at ease
Anxiety can make you feel out of control, or it can prevent you from doing normal day-to-day things. If these symptoms sound familiar, I would definitely talk to someone about it so you can start feeling like yourself again.
Christine Bec
Elizabeth Arden
Sergio Rossi
Some people I've met think I have social anxiety disorder, but that's only because I'm a homebody and very shy when I first meet people.
As for obsessive compulsive, I think we all have at least one thing that we do that could be in that category. I have a habit of bouncing a volleyball 3 times before I serve. Which is funny because with volumes I like to have the numbers being even. No idea why, I just automatically do it without noticing most of the time.
1I feel like I have chronic low level anxiety about many things... relationship, work, life goals etc. But it's not disabling me in any way. I think some level is actually healthy because it really pushes you to look at the choices you are making and decide if it's what you really want. Sometimes though, I wish I could just turn that brain of mine off!
2Thanks dear this really helps!
3I have social anxiety issues, and it varies how severe my anxious feelings are. I have found that a good night's sleep (even if I have to take a sleeping pill), and tons of positive reinforcement (you'll be fine, of course they'll like you - just repeat that over and over in my head), will help. I am not currently on any medication, although there are times when I could probably use it.
4I have alot of low-level anxiety too. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder a few years ago. But I consider it part of my personality. Being anxious is much more useful than having the "The Secret" mentality.
5jhuck - I do the exact same thing with the volumes.
6I like even numbers. My Mom and I both have OCD. I have never sought help for it, but there are times when I am under an extreme amount of stress that it becomes very apparent to those close to me. I catch myself counting steps, re-arranging things to be just right, etc.
Thanks for the article!
Great article! I get attacks of it and at first didn't know what it was, then figured it would just go away, then got worse until I've finally done something about it. Talking to a trained professional really, really helps in figuring out what your real triggers are and why you might have them. I wish I had gotten help sooner!
One other thing I'll say is that alot people confuse anxiety and stress. In fact, alot of people who suffer from anxiety don't experience anxiety when they are stressed because they are so busy and engaged that they don't have time to obsessively worry .
7My best friend recently told me she has anxiety andtakes medication every day. She also gets irritable bowl syndrome from being so worried all the time. She was on a daily med but just switched to a different one that she can take and have children on. She says the meds really help and control her symptoms brilliantly.
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