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 [1] 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
- 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.
Source [2]