Dealing with Anxiety Disorders
“Suffering from anxiety had closed a great many doors of opportunity in my life, but in the several months I have had with Dr. Brown, I’ve begun reopening these doors on my own. With his professional guidance, I’ve gotten my life back, and I could not be more grateful to him.” - J.D.
Battling anxiety can feel like drowning. Desperately trying to keep your head above water, you feel as though you're adrift in the tide, without hope of regaining a steady course. Basic activities - planning your daily schedule, attending social functions, or simply leaving your home can fill you with a sense of terror and dread.
The most recent statistics from The Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicate that not only do approximately 40 million adults struggle with anxiety each year, but that in fact anxiety disorders are the most common mood disorders in the United States, and they affect nearly 18% of the population.
The most recent statistics from The Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicate that not only do approximately 40 million adults struggle with anxiety each year, but that in fact anxiety disorders are the most common mood disorders in the United States, and they affect nearly 18% of the population.
Recognizing Signs & Symptoms
If you identify with several of the following signs or symptoms, you may be suffering from an anxiety or panic disorder and should consider seeking professional help.
Emotional Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
Source: Mayo Clinic
Emotional Symptoms
- Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns that's out of proportion to the impact of the event.
- Inability to set aside or let go of a worry.
- Inability to relax, restlessness, and feeling keyed up or on edge.
- Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind "goes blank".
- Worrying about excessively worrying.
- Distress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision.
- Carrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusion.
- Difficulty handling uncertainty or indecisiveness.
Physical Symptoms
- Fatigue.
- Irritability.
- Muscle tension or muscle aches.
- Trembling, feeling twitchy.
- Being easily startled.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Sweating.
- Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Headaches.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Getting Help
You are not alone in this struggle, and the first step on the road to recovery is acknowledging that you may need help; if you feel that panic and anxiety are taking control of your life, contact our office at The San Diego Center for Mood Disorders, and we will help you put together a treatment plan to reclaim your autonomy and your life - one step at a time.
