ANXIETY
Below I have discussed the symptoms of anxiety I often see in my practice. They are organized by the impact evident in a person’s behavior, thinking, emotions, and body experiences. You may experience symptoms in every category. Some people present to therapy with only one of these categories as their predominant manifestation, but it continues to negatively impact their life. For example, clients have had medical practitioners rule out any physical diagnoses but they continue to experience nausea, light headedness, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping. These clients often find therapy targeting anxiety reduction greatly improves their physical symptoms. If you read these descriptions and are still uncertain about your own experience, feel free to contact me for a consultation.
ANXIETY
MIND
Anxiety impacts the way that we think. You may relate to some or all of the ways that our minds can change when we are anxious. Do you notice yourself worrying, having anxious or fearful thoughts, or trying to avoid certain thoughts? Thinking about how you haven’t done enough or should do something better? Anxiety can make your thoughts come quickly, like they are racing. It can be difficult to think clearly, concentrate, and make decisions. You may struggle to stop thinking about certain things, even when they cause you pain. Unwanted memories can come back. Some people can feel like they are re-experiencing those memories as though they are happening now. Some people notice the opposite issue, that they cannot remember events clearly or at all.
BEHAVIOR
Emotional experiences like anxiety can change the way we act. Behaviorally, you many notice you have started avoiding certain places, activities, or people. These may be specific avoidances (e.g. not revisiting the location of a car wreck) or more general (e.g. not wanting to see anyone or leave the house). You may notice you are startled easily, jumping at loud or unexpected noises. Some people start acting irritably and have bursts of anger that seem to come from nowhere or are out of proportion to provocations. You may notice changes in your behavior that seem out of line with your personality or sense of self. It can be jarring to notice yourself acting and feeling differently in response to anxiety.
BODY
The body respond to stress by shifting our physiology in noticeable ways. You may notice your own body’s physical response to anxiety. Physiological responses to stress can include increasing heart rate, rapid or difficult breathing, or the feeling that you are choking when you are not. Some people notice pressure in their chest or stomach. Sometimes the body responds with trembling, muscle tension, sweating, hot/cold flashes, even tingling or numbing sensations. Many people experiencing anxiety notice changes in their sleep: struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleeping much more than usual. You may notice that when you sleep it doesn’t feel restful or restorative. Over time these changes in your body can impact your well being.
EMOTION
Anxiety is often an umbrella term that refers to a spectrum of emotions. We think of worrying about the future, a feeling of fear, unease, or dread. Some people report feeling restless, on edge, and short-tempered. Anger is not uncommon. Anxiety can make you feel isolated and alone, that no one understands how you feel. Sometimes people mention feeling they no longer fully trust themselves or other people. This can become lonely and make it difficult to feel connected to others. Sometimes anxiety also makes us feel disconnect from ourselves and the world around us.